



PHFSENTED BY 



/ 



PAST AND PRESENT 



OF 



WASHTENAW COUNTY 

MICHIGAN 



BY 



SAMUEL W. BEAKES, 



TOGETHER WITH 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



OF MANY OF ITS PROMINENT AND LEADING CITIZENS AND ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD 



ILLUSTRATED 



• CHICAGO: 
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO. 
1906 



2)c&icate& to tbe 

pioneers 

of Masbtenaw Counts 



out 

MS 3 19); 



PRKFACB. 



THE publishers take pride in presenting tliis volume to the public. The historical part is 
the work of Samuel W. Beakes, of Ann Arbor, and the citizens of the county 
are to be congratulated on his services being secured by the publishers, as no man 
in the county is better qualified for the task. A perusal of the volume will show 
that his work is well done. 

The biographical part of the work is the compilation of well qualified men, those 
long experienced in the business. They have gone to the people, the men and women 
who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to 
none among those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of 
their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent 
public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of 
coming- generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and 
economv have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantatjes for securino- 
an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of 
life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in 
every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how success has usually 
crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause of the 
world, have pursued the "even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Qirist 
said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "They have done what they could." It 
tells how many in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the 
lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was 
restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every 
woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from 
the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which 
would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work 
and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has 
been written ; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with 
few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of 
representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. 
For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some 
refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. 
Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such 
opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never 
could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business. 

February. 1906. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 




W W WINES, 



Biographica 



WILLIAM WALLACE WINES. 

\\ illiam Wallace Wines, deceased, was a pio- 
neer merchant and leading business man of Ann 
Arbor for many years, and also figured in finan- 
cial circles as the vice-president of the Ann Arbor 
Savings Bank. Watchful of opportunities and 
making the best of his advantages, he carried his 
business interests forward along progressive lines 
and belonged to that class of representative 
American citizens, who, while promoting indi- 
vidual success, also contribute in large measure 
to the general welfare. He came to Ann Arbor 
about 1848, being at that time a man of thirty- 
two vears. He was born in Canterbury, Con- 
necticut, on tlie 20th of November, 1816, his par- 
ents being Daniel Benjamin and Dorothy B. 
f-Hebbard) Wines, both of whom were natives 
of Connecticut, where the father spent the greater 
part of his life. He was a shoemaker by trade, 
and followed that pursuit in the Charter Oak 
state until his later years, when he retired from 
active business cares and removed to Ann Arbor, 
residing with his son here until his death. His 
wife passed away in Augusta, this state. 

William \\'allace Wines was only twelve years 
of age when he left home and went to New York 
city, where he attended the public schools. He 
acquired a good education and afterward ac- 
cepted a position as clerk in a store in New York 
citv and was likewise employed in other busi- 
ness there. His time was thus passed until 1X41. 
when he came to Washtenaw county. .Michigan, 
as one of its early settlers. Taking u\> his abodi- 



in Ypsilanti, he there purchased a lumber mill 
and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber 
for several years, or until 1848, when he came to 
Ann Arbor. The embryo city offered him a good 
field of labor, and from that time until his death 
he was closely associated with the commercial de- 
velopment and substantial progress of this place. 
Here he entered into partnership with Mr. 
Becker under the firm style of Becker & Wines, 
and they were engaged in the dry-goods business 
together for several years. On the expiration of 
that period they dissolved partnership, and Mr, 
Wines was afterward associated with other part- 
ners, eventually admitting Charles H, Worden to 
a partnership. The latter is now retired from ac- 
tive business cares but makes his home in Ann 
.Arbor, and is represented elsewhere in this work. 
Their store was located at No, 120 South Main 
street, and they conducted the largest retail dry- 
goods business of any firm in the city. The rela- 
tion between them was maintained until the death 
of Mr. Wines, and the buisness constantly grew 
in volume and importance, returning to them an 
excellent income. Progressive in all that they 
did. following modern lines of business activity 
and instituting methods that neither sought nor 
required disguise, they enjoyed a trade which 
yielded them a profitable return upon their invest- 
ment and made their house one of the valued fac- 
tors in mercantile circles here. Mr. Wines also 
became one of the stockholders of the .\nn Arbor 
Savings Bank, and for many years was its vice- 
president, acting in that ca|)acity up to the time 
of his death. 



8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Mr. Wines was iiiiited in marriage in Dridsjc- 
hampton, Long Island, to IMiss Elizabeth II. 
Baker, a native of tliat town. 'I'hcy became tlie 
parents of three children. Nancy, the eldest, is 
the widow of Edwin FTadlcy, who was born near 
Indianapolis, Indiana; hut his parents were na- 
tives of Sonth Carolina. He acquired his pre- 
liminary education in a Quaker school of Rich- 
mond, Indiana, after which he attrndcil the uni- 
versity at Ann Arlxir. takin.L;- uji the study of law, 
which he couiplrti'd in the Albany Law School, 
at Albany, New \nvk. .^raduatini.; about the same 
time the Civil war l)roke out ; and he afterward 
enlisted in Company E, Twcnty-si.xth Michigan 
Infantry. 1 Ir look |iart in ;i number of important 
en.Liagements, and at the battle of the Wilderness 
was seriously wounded, receivin,s;' a bullet wound 
in the knee. This bullet was never extracted, and 
Mr. lladley sutlered from his injuries throughout 
his remaining days. For a time he was in the 
hospital at Georgetown, I). C, and he was never 
able to return to active service, but was ap- 
pointed judge advocate of the court marshal in 
New York city, acting in that capacity for six 
months. He then returned home and he and his 
wife went on a visit to Indianapolis, where he 
was abso ap])iiiute(l judge advocate of the court, 
remaining at that place until he received his dis- 
ciiarge from the army. He then went to .Adrian. 
Michigan, where he entered u])on the jjractice of 
law, being accorded a large and lucrative client- 
age, and for three terms he served as circuit court 
commissioner of Lenawee county, and was also 
commissioner in liankruptcy. He was attorney 
for the Pere AIar(|uette Railni.-ul and had a grati- 
fying private |)ractice, which \\v ccmducted suc- 
cessfully mitil his death, his devotion to his 
clients' interests being pr(]verbial. Subsequent to 
his demise, Mrs. lladley returned U< Ann Arbor, 
where .she has since made her home. There were 
four children by that marriage: hllizabeth, now 
the wife of L. E. Chapin, a resident of Canton. 
( )hio. where lie is engaged in the practice of 
civil engineering, and who is a graduate of the 
State University of Michigan; William II., who 
was a clerk in the Ann .\rbor P>auk for live and 
a half years, and is now- cashier (if a bank (if 



Leavenworth, Washington, wdiere he resides; 
.\nnie L., the wife of Oant White, a prominent 
attorney of I'iqua, ( )liio, who was also a student 
in the State University; and Edwin V., who re- 
sides in New York city, where he is connected 
with a wholesale paper house. 

The secdud child of William W. Wines was 
I )r. Ilenr\ II. Wines, now deceased, who was a 
graduate of the medical departnunt nf the uni- 
versity here, and also of the Bellevuc Hospital 
.Medical College in New York city. He after- 
w ;u'd Idcated iu Adi-iau, .Michigan, where he 
])racticed until his death, which occurred Julv 2, 
iSdiS. He had married Henrietta A. Henion, who 
is now the wdfe of C. C. Jenkins, and resides in 
California. Fannie Wines always resided with 
her ])arents, and since her mother's death has 
made her hnuK- with her sister. Mrs. Hadlev. The 
latter owns a large and pleasant home at No. 832 
University avenue, and Miss Wines owns resi- 
dence properly on Monroe street, and together 
tlie\ iiwn their father's 1 ild business block on 
.Sduth .Main street, which thev rent to William 
Coodyear (& Company, the leading di\-g()ods 
merchants of the city. 

The death of Mr. Wines occurred on the 21st 
of Decenihi'r, [("-((Si), and his wife survived until 
June 16, i(S92. when she, too, passed away. He 
was a repid)lican in his political views and took 
an ;ictive interest iu the wnrk and success nf the 
|)arty. He and his wife held membership in the 
Presbyterian church, to which their daughters 
also belong ; and he was greatly and heli)fully in- 
terested in the church work, and acted as one of 
the trustees for many years. His life was lionor- 
,ible ;iu(| upright .■lud commended him t(i the con- 
fidence and good will (if all with whom he was 
associated. In matters relating to the welfare of 
the comnumity, he was public-spirited, and his 
co-operation coidd be counted updu tn fiu'tber 
public progress. 1 le was always ready to lend 
a helping; hand to the poor and needy, and within 
the cidser circle of his social associates he won 
w.arm friendships, based upon the appreciation 
df his many sterling traits of character. He be- 
came well-to-do and was recognized as a promi- 
nent ;iu(l representative citizen of .Ann .\rbor. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



WILLIAM BACON. 

William P.acon is a representative of commer- 
cial interests in Chelsea, being a partner in the 
Pacon-Holmes Produce Com]5any, which was 
formed in lyoi. He was burn in Gloucestershire, 
England, in 1852. a son of Rev. John and Ann 
(Pound) Bacon. The father was a minister of 
the Wesleyan church and died in 1X64. [n the 
family were eight children, John, James. Jo- 
seph, Mary, Jabez, William, Lillian and Edward. 
Of these, James, Jabez, IMary, Edward and 
William all came to America. 

William Bacon spent the first twenty years of 
his life in the land of his nativity and ac(|uired 
a good education in the schools of England with 
the hope of obtaining employment as a book- 
kec]3er in a bank, but changing liis ])lans he 
crossed the Atlantic to the L'nited .States in 1872 
and made his way at once to Chelsea. Here he 
secured employment from C. H. Kempf, a dealer 
in lumber and produce, with whom he remained 
for about a year, when in 1872 he went to Fow- 
lerville, where he learned the tinner's trade. In 
1876 he returned to Chelsea, where he began work 
for R. Kempf & Brother, and remained with that 
firm for two years, when he engaged in the lum- 
ber business on his own account as a member 
of the firm of Kempf, Bacon & Company. This 
association was maintained until 1901, when the 
partnership was dissolved, and in that year the 
William Bacon-Holmes Lumber & Produce Com- 
pany was formed and has since been a factor in 
the commercial interests of Chelsea. They deal 
in lumber, coal, wood, lime, cement, grain, wool, 
apples and other produce, and by reason of a 
wide and favorable acquaintance anfl unassailable 
business reputation Mr. Bacon has developed an 
excellent business since the establishment of the 
present firm. He has the general management of 
the interests of the house and has secured a large 
and profitable patronage. 

In 1877 occurred the marriage of William Ba- 
con and Miss Lois Congdon, a daughter of the 
late James Congdon, of Chelsea, and one of the 
founders of the village. This marriage has been 
blessed with seven children, Beatrice. William E. 



G., Ethel, Josephine, Paul O., Martha W. and 
Ruth. 

Soon after coming to America Mr. Bacon took 
out his naturalization papers and has since been 
a loyal and public-spirited citizen of the United 
States. Since obtaining the right of franchise 
he has given unfaltering support to the republi- 
can party and is a firm believer in its principles. 
He has been called to a number of township 
offices, having in the '70s served for two tenns as 
assessor, while for six years he was village trus- 
tee. He was also elected president of the village 
and filled the office at that time for four consecu- 
tive years and later at another period for three 
years. He has also been supervisor of the town- 
ship for five years, school director for four years 
and in October, 1904, was appointed auditor of 
the county by the board of supervisors for a term 
of three years, but owing to a new law passed by 
the legislature the office was made elective and his 
appointment ceased to be of effect, but in April, 
1905, he was elected county auditor for a period 
of four years, and is the present incumbent, his 
present term extending until 1909. In all of his 
public duties he has been prompt and faithful, 
allowing nothing to interfere with a capable per- 
formance of the duties that devolve upon him. 
Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Olive 
lodge. Xo. 156. .A. F. & .\. M., Olive chapter, 
Xo. 140, R. A. M.. and Xo. 194 council, R. & S. 
M. He is likewise connected with the Knights 
of Pythias fraternity. He owes his advancement 
entirely to his own efforts, for he came to .Amer- 
ica with very limited capital, but possessed, how- 
ever, a strong purpose, unfaltering determination 
and laudable ambition, and u|)nn those qualities 
as a foundation has builded the superstructure 
of success. 



OTTO D. LUICK. 



Otto D. I.uick, filling the position of county 
treasurer, but residing upon the old home farm 
in Lima township, is a representative of one of 
the pioneer families of Washtenaw county, his 
"■randfather and his father having settled here 



lO 



PAST AND I'RESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



when this part of tlio state was a frontier district, 
and the work of imiirovoinoiU had hardlv been 
instituted. I he ialler. John D. 1 .nick', is indeed 
a native of Lima ti>\vnshii). wheie lie is still liv- 
ing;', and throu,t;liout his active husiness career 
he has carried on fanning;. David Euick, the 
grandfather, was a native of Germany, and taking- 
up his abode in the new world, he became one of 
the original white settlers of Lima townshi)). 
where he died, during the early youth of hi-- 
grandson ( )lto. lie assisted in reclaimiui; this 
district from the domain of the red men and in 
contrilniting lo the early substantial improvement 
of Washtenaw county. John D. l.uick, reared 
amid the environment of i)ioneer life, earlv be- 
came familiar with t'arm lal)i>r, and as an agri- 
culturist has ke])t pace with ideas of modern 
jjrogress in relation lo farm methods. He married 
Miss Catherine Laubengayer. who died at the age 
of thirty-six years, leaving two daughters and a 
son. Amanda. Otto D. and liertha. the last named 
being the wife of F.dward I'leacli. 

Otto D. l.uick ac(iuired his early education in 
the public schools of 1 .inia township, and after- 
ward enjoyed the advantage of a course in the 
\ psilanti lUisiness L"o!lege, from which he was 
graduated with the class of i8<)i. He then went 
to Chicago. Illinois, where he tilled a ]>osition as 
bookkeeper for a year, but the close continement 
(^f the store pnwed detrimental to his health, and 
in conse(|uence he returned to Lima, where he 
resumed farming o])erations on the old homesteatl, 
carrying (M1 the work of held and meadow until 
his election to ofHce. It was in 1004 tliat he was 
chosen county treasurer of Washtenaw coimty. 
which position he is now cajxibly tilling, his term 
ol incumbencs' coxering two wars. 

In his political views Mr. Luick has always 
been a stalwart republican. Prior to his election 
to the i>resent oftice he was township clerk of 
Lima township for eleven years and was also 
school inspector for two years. Fraternallv he 
is connected with the Knights of Pvthias, and in 
the lo'Ige has held \arions offices, acting as chan- 
cellor commander at the present time. 

Although liis official duties call him dailv to 
.Ann ArbcM", Mr. Luick still maintains his resi- 
dence upon the home farm in Lima town.ship. 



Me was married in 1897 to Miss May L. Wood, 
a native of Lima township, and a ilaughter of 
John I. Wood, one of its early settlers and a lead- 
ing farmer. Their honu' has lx;cn blessed with 
three children. Leigh M., P.eulah P>. and (jerald 
(i. 



I'ROI'I'.S.SOR LAMES CR.ATG WATSt^N. 

I'rofessor James Cr;iig Watson, deceased, as- 
tronomer, autlioi' ;md ]irofessor. who for some 
\ears was a member of the faculty of the State 
University at Ann .Arbor, was born in Middle- 
sex, Canada, on the 28th of Januarw 1838, his 
parents l)eing \\'illiam and Rebecca (Bacon) 
Watson, who were natives of N'orthumbcrland 
coimty. rennsylvania, and there resided for manv 
years. The f;ither engaged in teaching in the 
Keystone state, and e\entually removed to Can- 
a<la, where he remained for several vears, when 
he came to Washtenaw county. Michigan, set- 
tling here at .an early ilay. Renting a farm near 
.\nn .\rbor in the vicinity of the present site of 
the State University, he engaged in fruit raising, 
devoting his attention to agricultural iiursuits up 
to the time of his death, which occiu-red in 1878. 
His wife passed away at the home of their son 
Edward in Grand Rajiids. 

.After accpiiring a common school education. 
Professor Watson entered the Michigan Univer- 
sity, ])ursuing a full course and being graduated 
with high honors in the class of 1857. lie was 
the hrst ]nipil of the famous astronomer. Dr. 
P.nnmow, who was then director of the observa- 
tory and jirofessor of astronomy in the Ihiiversity 
of Michigan. Soon after his graduation in 1858, 
Professor Watson was appointed instructor in 
mathematics in the university and also ;issistant 
observer. The following \ear Dr. I'.rmmow re- 
signed ;md Professor Watson became his suc- 
cessor in the chair of astronomy, which he tilletl 
during 185(1 and i8rKi. In the latter year he ac- 
cepted the chair of physics in the imiversity, oc- 
cupxing the same for three years, at the end of 
which time he was appointed professor in as- 
tronomy and tlirector of the observatory u|)on the 
recommendation of man\- of the leadinsi' astrono- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



13 



mers of tlie country. Thi.s honor canu- to liini 
wlit-n lie was only twenty-five years of aj^e, and 
he continued to fill the ])osition until 1879, when 
he resif^ned to accept the ])rofessorship in astron- 
omy in Wisconsin University at Madison and was 
also director of the ohservatory. While there he 
liecame ill and passed away November 23. 1880. 
In the meantime he had gained national fame 
throuph his knowledge and research in astron- 
omv. In 1867 he had been elected a member of 
the National .\cademy of Sciences and was also 
honored by election to membership in the Ameri- 
can Philosophical Society in 1877. and in the 
Royal Academy of Sciences in Catania. Italy, in 
1870. In the same year he was the discoverer of 
twenty-three asteroids, for which he was awarded 
a gold medal by the l-rench .\cademy of Sciences. 
He was also the discoverer of two comets, one 
on the 20th of April, 1856. and the other on the 
<jth (if Januar\-. 1864. Professor Watson was 
also a]}pointed judge of awards at the Centennial 
Ex])osition. He received the degree of Ph. D. 
from the University of Leipsic in 1870 and from 
Yale College in 1X71, while in 1877 Columbia 
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of 
Law. 

Professor Watson was placed by the govern- 
ment of the United States in charge of the expedi- 
tion to Blount Pleasant. Iowa, to ob.serve a total 
eclipse of the sun in iSfx;. lie also received a 
government appointment in 1875 ^" S" ^o Pekin. 
China, to observe the transit of V^enus, and after 
completing tliis mission he and his wife made a 
trip around the world from west to east. They 
were presented to the khedive of Egy])t and while 
in that country surveyed the base line of Egy])t. 
measured the pyramids and also taught mathe- 
matics to an officer of the Royal Guards, for 
which favors the khedive rewarded Professor 
Watson with the decoration of the Knight Com- 
mander of the Im])erial r)rder of tlie Medjudieli 
of Turkey and l{gv])t. Tlie khedive also loancrl 
tlie jirofessor and his jiarty a diabahah (a sort of 
houseboat) and crew to man the same, in which 
to make a trip up the Nile. Thus iiation.il an<l in- 
ternational honors were from time to time con- 
ferred upon him. showing his high position in 
the ]>ublic regard as a re])resentative of the great 



science which he ma<le his specialty. Moreover, 
he gave to the world a number of valuable con- 
tributions to astronomical literature. He was the 
author of a "Popular Treatise on Comets. ' pub- 
lislu-il in Philadelphia in i860, the author of 
"Theoretical Astronomy." published in Philadel- 
phia and London in 1868 (which has since 
been a standard work on the subject) 
the autlior of a "Report on Horological 
Instruments." and also the ''Tables for the 
Calculati(jn of Simple and Compound Inter- 
est and r)iscount," that w^as published in Ann 
Arbor. In addition to all this he was correspond- 
ent for many papers, but not alone in the field of 
scientific writing and instruction did he display 
his varied talents and ability, for he figured quite 
conspicuously in local business concerns. In 1870 
he became associated with B. J. Conrad in the 
book and stationery business in Ann .-Xrbcjr, in 
which he continued for four years. In 1872 he 
becaiue interested in the Ann Arbor Print- 
ing and Publishing Comjjany. now t h e 
publishers of the Daily Register, and af- 
ter the retirement of Dr. .\. W. Chase, 
Professor Watson was elected president and thus 
continued his connection with the company until 
his death. He was for several years the actuary 
of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, and in 
various business interests displayed a capability 
that is often lacking in the scholar. 

Professor Watson was married in Scio town- 
ship to Miss Annette Helena \\'aite. a daughter 
of Benjamin W. and Lois Ann (Micks) Waite. 
both of Auburn. New York. The father became 
an early settler of Washtenaw county and owned 
a large farm in Scio tf)wnship. but during the 
greater part of his residence in this county lived 
retired, leaving the operation of his farm t(/ 
others. In public affairs he was ])rominent ancl 
influential, serving as a member f)f the legislature 
for one term and filling various coimty offices, to 
which he was called by his fellow townsmen, who 
recognized his worth and ability. He exercised 
wide influence in public affairs and left an imi)ress 
of his individualit\' for good upon the |)ul)lic life 
of his community. Both he and his wife died 
in Dexter. They left two daughters: Mrs. Wat- 
son : .Mrs. Dr. Ritter. who is residing with her 



'4 



I'AST AND rUI-.Sl'.NT 0\' WASirriuN AW ColuNTV. 



sislrr: ami two IuhiIkts, \\ iin W , W aiU', of 
rortlaiul. I >i\\i;cin. wlui is ilic iiuonlur nl" Wailo's 
inipnnnl niiniui;- drill; aiul r.inijamin W. Waitc, 
who is a ri'lirod faniKT liviiii;- iti Ann Ailior. 

I'rofossor Watson was roared in ilic ilcnio 
oratic failli. Inii at llio time of I Icncral C.lraiU's 
candidaox In'oanu- a ri.'|inl)lican, and alti'rward 
volcil w illi that |iarl\ . I'.otli lie and his w il\' were 
nioinhors of the (.'oni^rci^ational i-linreh and took- 
an aftivi' ami holpfnl interest in its wm-k. lie 
Inult a line residenee on Sonth I'niversitx ax'enne. 
Inil on renioxini^ to W iseonsin. sold that propertx . 
Snlisei|nenl to his death liis widow returned to 
1 'e\ter, w heie she resided with hei' |iarenls lor 
eighteen \ears. alter w hieh she retnineil to Ann 
Arhor. and two \ears ai^o she linilt her present 
home at \'o. JlJ Twell'th street, w hieh is one of 
the attraetixe resiliences of the eit\. 

It wonld he almost tautoloi^ieal in this eonnee 
lion to enter into any series of statements as 
showing;' Professor \\ aison to he a man of hroad 
scholarly attainments and strong- intelleelnalit\ . 
for these ha\e heen shadowed forth hetween the 
lines oi this review . Making' continued advance- 
ment in the special field of research that inter- 
ested him most, he won national fame, anil as an 
astronomer was accorded honors throni;honl the 
length ami hreadth of the land. Anions;- his 
friends he displayed a hroad sxmpalln and hn- 
manitarian iirinciples th.il endeared him to all 
with whom he came iti contact, and his hest trails 
o| character were reserved for his home, and 
there his loss is most dee]il\ fell. 



Rl'A'. CH.VUl.lCS T. .\LId-:X. D. 1). 

Rev. C'harles T. Allen, deceased, was a jiromi- 
nent Methodist divine of Michit;an. who devoted 
the (.'iiiire (lerioil of his manhood to his holv call- 
in;.;, lie laid down his work in ."-ieptemher. l()04. 
and a few weeks later was called from this life, 
lie had for tliirt\-six years been connected with 
the Hetroil conference. |)reachin>;- .'snndax after 
.'-^nndax- with a power and iiiHuence that made his 
work of no restricted order. Followin"' liis death 



ihe lollowini.; record of his career was prepared 
h\ Ivev. William 1 )awe. 1). 1).: 

tharles rhoni]ison Allen \sas horn in .Sharon 
township. Washtenaw coimU. Michigan. Septem- 
her S. :S.| I , and died in the eit\ of Detroit, .Micli- 
i.i^an. I Vioher i _'. t()04. a,L;ed si\t\ -three years, 
one month, four da\s. 

Mis hoxhood da\s w ei'e sjienl on the farm of 
his falher in the ahoxe township, and his earh ed- 
ucation was ac(|uired in the district si-hools of 
,'~>haron. after which he entered llu' semin.ir\ at 
^'|)silanti. which at that lime was nnder the snper- 
intemlencx of Professor I'lslabrook. Anions; the 
teachers whose classes Mr. .Mien entered wa.s 
( lenei'al I'.x ron M . t'ulcheon. 

It was dnrini;- his attendance there that the 
t'i\il war hroke out. and on April _'c). iStil, he en- 
listi'd in t cimpanv 1). hirst .Mii-hii^an lnfaiUr\. as 
a cor])oral. which was orijani/.ed in the \illai;"e of 
Manchester. Michigan, and went to the front foi" 
three months' service, dnrinj.; which time he was 
present at the battle of I'ndl Knn. \i the end n\ 
this service he returned to N'psilanli and entered 
the seminary a,t;ain. remaining;- nntil the following;' 
spring'. In Ma\. iSoj. when President Lincoln 
issued a call lor three hundred thon.sand men. 
I. harles went to Manchester and beqan the organ- 
ization ol a compaiu. which became ( 'om|)an\ P.. 
rwentieth Miehii;an lnlantr\. including;' some 
thirtx men from the nei^hhoihood of Manchestei-. 
toiiether with the balance completiuL;' the com- 
pan\. raised In P. \ rou M. C'utcheon. who became 
its captain, wuh t harles as tirst lieutenant, which 
ol'tice he held lor some time, when he was pro- 
moted to its ca]itaincy. lie fought under Purn- 
side. Sherman and (ir.ant in nian\ of the hardest 
battles of the entire war. anions which were the 
battles of I'redericksbur.i;'. Jackson. \ ickshuru', 
Knoxville and the \\"ilderness. lie was se\erel\ 
wounded at .Spotts\ Ivania (.'ourtbouse. May t_>. 
1804. while leadinj;' his company charuinu- a Con- 
federate battery, and was compelled to remain in 
hospital si\ mouths, (hi ( Ictober jotli he re- 
siyneil and was honorably discharijed. 

1 le returned to his native town, and sliortl\ aft- 
erward re-entered the seminary at \'i>silaiiti. com- 
pletiiiii his course. ( ^u t Knober J5. 18(15. he mar- 
ried Miss Fdnora Root, dauyhter of Dr. Pennett 




RE\-. CHARLES T. ALLEN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



17 



Root, of IManchester, Michigan. He entered Al- 
bion College, where he took a three years' course 
1866-7-8, after which he entered the Detroit con- 
ference as a probationer, joining in full connec- 
tion in 1870. 

During his ministry, he hafl been (jastor at the 
following churches : Addison, three years ; Clin- 
ton, three years ; Pontiac, two terms, three and 
four years respectively ; the following Detroit 
churches : Tabernacle, three years ; Jefferson 
(now the Mary Palmer), two years; Simpson, 
three years ; and Cass Avenue, four years. He was 
then appointed presiding elder of the Detroit dis- 
trict, which position he held for four years, after 
which he was called to the Ypsilanti First Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, where he served seven 
years, which proved to be his last pastorate ; he 
was granted a superannuated relation at the 
Adrian conference, September, 1904; and de- 
parted this life in Detroit, October 12th, while 
visiting a friend, Mr. M. McMillan. 

He was a member of the Detroit conference 
during the thirty-six years of his ministry, and it 
gave him pleasure to remember that he had spent 
his entire ministry within a few miles of his 
birthplace. He was always in honor among his 
brethren, and they sent him as their representative 
and delegate three times to the general confer- 
ence, and he could have gone other times had he 
not declined in the interests of other brethren. 

Dr. Allen came of a sturdy family. Lewis 
Allen, with his wife, Eliza ]\Iarvin, were pioneers, 
coming to Michigan from the state of New York, 
in June, 1832, and settling in the township of 
Sharon, ^^'ashtenaw county, where Mr. Allen ac- 
quired a large tract of land. They were members 
of the Presbyterian church and well and favorably 
known for their exemplary lives. Both had a 
profound respect for Christian teachings, and 
though one of the most extensive farmers in that 
section, employing many men, Mr. Allen always 
observed family worship, and never allowed any 
one about him to desecrate the Sabbath. Lewis 
Allen was not only a wise counselor in his home, 
but his advice was sought in the affairs of 
the township, county and state. He was the first 
supervisor of his township, and in 1830 was 
elected a member of the legislature of the state. 



Mrs. Eliza Marvin Allen was a woman of 
marked literary taste and ability and was a con- 
stant and careful reader of the best literature of 
her time. She was a woman of great force of 
character and proved herself a master mind in 
the training of her children and in the affairs of 
her home, always judicious and loving, inspiring 
her children to become true in all the walks of 
life. 

Fjeing reared in the atmosphere of profound 
spiritual sentiment, together with the industrial 
spirit of a parentage meeting and overcoming the 
hardships of pioneer life, were perhaps among the 
chief elements in the training of the family of 
boys for future usefulness in the service of their 
country. The following data is a magnificent tes- 
timonial to this fact: During the Civil war six of 
the boys enlisted and went to the front, as fol- 
lows : Rev. A. B. Allen, of Oberlin, Ohio, as a 
member of the Christian and Sanitary Commis- 
sion ; Edward P. .\llen, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, 
captain Company H, Twenty-ninth Michigan In- 
fantry ; Silas F. .Allen, late of Indiana, captain, 
Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry ; Albert F. Allen, 
of Vinland, Kansas, private of the Fremont 
Guards of Missouri and Kansas : Dr. A. M. Allen, 
of Adrian, Michigan, assistant surgeon. Seventh 
Michigan Infantry ; and Charles T, Allen, cap- 
tain, Company B, Twentieth Michigan Infantry. 

Charles T. Allen was an obedient and loving 
son ; among brothers and sisters he was an amia- 
ble and generous brother ; he gave pleasure to his 
teachers as a student ; he was among the boys and 
fellow students a boon companion ; in the hour 
of his country's danger no truer patriot ; on the 
battle-field pure in life and a brave soldier ; he 
was always a considerate and tender husband ; his 
children testify that he was the most perfect 
father. Thousands speak of him as an eloquent 
])reacher ; hundreds of families are bereaved of a 
devoted and trusted pastor. Here then is the 
orderly development of his life, he blessed all 
these most sacred relations, there is not, as far as 
T know, a stain on any one of them. I walked 
with him for twenty-four years in the most inti- 
mate life ; I have not known a more truly balanced 
noble life. What he was in public, he was in pri- 
vate, and so he was in his home. 



i8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



His sons sa)' he was firm, but never stern ; 
commanding obedience, but never without reason 
and love ; wonderful in tact, watchinti' with love 
and solicitude every period of their lives, never 
speaking ill of the living or the departed, always 
a genial, kind word for all, pure in all conversa- 
tion, he lived and walked and talked before them 
as a perfect example of Christian manhood, and 
without any high profession of Christian perfec- 
tion, sanctification, or holiness; he seemed to feel 
and think too humbly to venture claim to such 
life. And yet what Charles Kingsley once said 
from the pulpit of Westminster Abbey, Charles T. 
Allen has said by his life and by his teachings : 
"The first and last business of everj' human being 
whatever his station, party, creed, tastes or duties, 
is virtue, always virtue, good as God is good, 
righteous as Cjod is righteous, holv as ( iod is 
holy." 

When we note Iiis unique training, preparation, 
and education for the ministry, we have some clue 
to his great success. We have said he was well 
born, but he was born to many hardships : we 
find him as a lad toiling on a farm, and his early 
school life had its difficulties: then think of a 
young man with fine mental qualities and clean 
heart taking part in twenty desj^erate engage- 
ments on one of the greatest and sternest battle- 
fields of history before he was twenty-three years 
of age. The scenes, events, the visions and awful 
tumidt of those years became a vital |)art of his 
very being and were ever with him. How could 
it be otherwise? Plis comrades in arms, his fellow 
officers, fell all around him woimded and dead, 
and then he also fell severe!}' wounded, and had 
his share of hospital life. Coming up through 
such experiences and preparations, to which was 
added three years of hard study in college, he 
enters the Christian ministry at twenty-seven 
years of age. The Sabbath after he left us I went 
to his first circuit of thirty-six years ago : he knew 
I was to be there, and we had spoken of it with 
nnich interest. In one of the little country 
churches I asked, "How many here remember 
and were blessed by Brother ,A.llen's ministr}- 
thirty-six years ago?" Twenty-two arose, and 
six of them said they were converted under his 
ministry. They told me he came without any 



money, with poor shoes, no horse, and started out 
on foot to walk from place to place ; but it was not 
long before he was beloved in their homes and all 
his wants were met, and from that first circuit to 
his last he grew in favor among the people. 

They told me of a man known for much pro- 
fanity and the sport he made of the preachers. 
Brother Allen called on him, he was treated with 
the usual indifference. He went with him to milk, 
saying, "Give me a pail, I can milk," and so they 
milked and chatted together ; from that time on he 
was a changed man, no more profanity, and he 
was soon led to a Christian life. From first to 
last he could reach men, and he did it with the 
simple themes of the Gospel, supported by a sin- 
cere and simple life, and never by what is known 
to us as sensational efforts. He knew the Gospel 
needed no such aid, but that it was all sufficient 
in and of itself. 

He had that peculiar charm as a public speaker. 
Call it magnetism, strong personality, or it may 
come from native simplicity, honesty and sin- 
cerity, but that indefinable something that vou 
could not imitate or take from him any more than 
you can take away or imitate the light of his 
countenance, which made him, in spite of any lit- 
erary or homiletic defect or fault, an interesting, 
helpful and often a truly eloquent preacher, so 
that hundreds have said, "He never preached 
without doing his hearers good." 

Some are ]ieculiarly fitted for the cit\' pulpit 
and others for the country ; it mu.st be admitted 
that he was popular in both. Some have peculiar 
gifts for different classes of people, but children 
and young people, ]ioor people and rich, cultured 
and uncultured, gathered around him and \vere 
]3rofited and fed bv his ministry. Said a prom- 
inent layman Ui me some years ago. "He is worth 
half his salary to walk our streets as the pastor of 
our church." These are truly great gifts and be- 
long to very few souls. What Dr. Jaklin said in 
his finely expressed article is true,"C^nIy a man of 
remarkable qualities would be in demand for so 
many conspicuous positions for so long in the 
same locality, and only a strong man could meet 
the requirements." 

He was not only large in body and of fine phys- 
ical proportions, but he was equally large and rich 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



19 



in those qualities whicli make an attractive and 
noble personality. The genial light in his face, 
the gracious and kindly tones of his voice, the 
ease and grace of his bearing in company, touched 
with contagious good humor without effort, all 
combined to make it so easy for any one to meet 
him and arrested the attention of all classes, 
young people of school and college, the soldier 
and patriot, legislators and ministers and the 
toilers in all tlie common walks of life. 

In the summing up of a life, that which finally 
counts in the judgment and approval of the world 
is character. Our brother has built before us a 
life and character which we all feel to be worth\^ 
of our sincerest admiration, and that it would be 
wise and good to imitate, as a Christian, and as a 
Christian minister, we give him, for honesty, 
purity, manly sincerity, faithful devotion to his 
work, the first rank. What Dr. Watson said of 
his friend, Henry Drummond, we can say of 
Charles T. Allen : "Without pride, without envy, 
without selfishness, without vanity, moved onl\' 
bv good will and spiritual ambitions, responsive 
ever to the touch of God, and every noble impulse, 
faithful, fearless, magnanimous, he was as perfect 
a Christian as I have ever known." 



JUDGE EDWARD D. KLXNE. 

E.fhvard D. Kinne. judge of the twenty-second 
judicial circuit since 1887 and presiflent of the 
First National P>ank of Ann .\rl)or, was born at 
Dewitt Center, near Syracuse, New York, Febru- 
ary 9, 1847. He was the youngest in a family (if 
two sons and a daughter, whose parents were Ju- 
lius C. and Rachel (Wetherby) Kinne. They, too. 
were natives of the Empire state and were of En- 
glish lineage, and the father followed the occupa- 
tion of farming. He was a man of more than local 
prominence, his strong personality and capability 
winning him leadership, so that he was chosen 
to represent his district in the state legislature 
of New York for several terms and left the im- 
press of his individuality upon the laws enacted 
during his active connection with the house. He 
died in the year 1855. 



Judge Edward D. Kinne, entering the district 
schools at the usual age, therein continued his 
studies until he reached the age of fifteen, when 
he prepared for college as a student in the acad- 
emv at Cazenovia, New York. In i860 he ma- 
triculated in the I'uiversity of Michigan, from 
which he was graduated with the class of 1864. 
Subsequently he went to Washington. D. C, and 
became a student of law in the Columbia Law 
School, and at the same time he performed clerical 
service under appointment in the diplomatic di- 
vision of the treasury department. He filled the 
clerkship for three years, devoting his leisure 
liours to his studies, so that he was enabled to 
complete the regular university course by gradu- 
ation and was then admitted to the bar in the 
capital city. 

Not long afterward Judge Kinne located for 
practice in Ann Arbor, where he has since re- 
tained his residence, and in the public life of the 
citv he had figured prominently by reason of his 
activitv. both within and withnut the strict path 
of his profession. In 18(19 he was elected city 
recorder and by re-election was continued in that 
position for two terms. In 1871 he was chosen 
by popular suffrage to the office of city attor- 
ney, remaining as the incumbent for three years, 
and in 1876 he was elected mayor of .\nn .\rbor, 
giving an administration so business-like, prac- 
tical and progressive that in 1878 he was again 
chosen for the chief executive. In 1879 upon the 
republican ticket he was elected to the state legis- 
lature and proved an able working member in 
the council chambers of the commonwealth, being 
ci>nnected with important constructive measures. 
In 1887 he received his party's nomination for 
iu<lgc of the circuit court, to which he was elec- 
ted by a majority of two thousand, and he stills 
holds the office to the entire satisfaction of the 
general inihlic and the profession. The practice 
of law has been his real life work and at the 
bar and on the bench he has won marked dis- 
tinction. He has recently been elected for a 
fourth term without opposition as no candidate 
was put up against him, and he is to have a fif- 
teen-hundred dollar increase in salary. He will 
have served as circuit judge for twenty-four years 
when he fills out his present term. He is a man 



20 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



of uniiiipeacliable character, of strong intellectual 
endowments and with a thorough vtnderstanding 
of the principles of jurisprudence. He took to 
the bench high qualification for this responsible 
position and his record as a judge has been dis- 
tinguished by a masterful grasp of every problem 
which has presented itself for solution. He is 
furthermore financially interested in important 
business concerns of .Ann .\rbor, being the presi- 
dent of the Ann .\rbor Gas Company and of the 
First National Bank of this city. 

In 1867 Judge Kinne was married to Miss 
Mary C. Hawkins, a daughter of Olney Hawkins, 
who was for many years a leading member of 
the .\nn .\rbor bar. Mrs. Kinne died in 1882, 
leaving two children : Samuel D. and Mary W. 
In 1884 Judge Kinne wedded Mrs. Florence S. 
Jewett, of Ann .\rl>iir. Me is a member of the 
Episcopal church and is held in the highest re- 
spect wherever known. Honored in every class 
of societv, he has for sometime been a leader in 
thought and action in public life of his adopted 
citv and county and his name is inscribed high 
on the roll of its distinguished citizens. 



CHRISTIAN MACK. 



It is a matter of history that Ann Arbor and 
Washtenaw county were largely settled by sons 
of the fatherland, and that the reclamation of 
this district from the domain of the savage, the 
development of its commercial and industrial 
prosperity and its growth in less material lines, 
are largely attributable to the representatives of 
the Teutonic race. Christian Mack was a promi- 
nent representative of this class of citizens, and 
his name is inseparably connected with many 
movements that have been helpful in Washtenaw 
county's substantial improvement. 

Born in Wurtemberg. Germany, in 1834, he 
there acquired a good education and learned the 
first principles of the mercantile business. When 
seventeen years of age he came to America, be- 
lieving that he would have better business oppor- 
tunities than in the old world. He traveled in 
company with his former employer's children, who 



could speak English ; and he had become quite fa- 
miliar with the language before he reached this 
country. For a few years, both prior and subse- 
quent to 1850, there was a great German emi- 
gration to the United States. It had been a period 
of political and social unrest in the fatherland. 
The discord of the revolution of 1848, the severi- 
ties attending its suppression and the re-establish- 
ment of a monarchy, more absolute than before, 
drove thousands of Germans of the higher 
classes and of marked intellectual culture to seek 
the hospitality offered by the United States. Not 
all were revolutionists, nor even revolutionary 
sympathizers, but all had the ambition to enjoy 
a greater measure of freedom than their native 
land offered. 

It was in 1850 that Christian Mack, leaving 
his boyhood home in Wurtemberg, sailed for the 
Linited States. He had acquired an education, 
which, for its practical worth, is hardly excelled 
by the advantages of the more elaborate school 
system of the present day. Throughout his life 
he was characterized by an eagerness to see and 
know and learn about all things that are of 
worth in the world, and his journey to his new 
home was delayed that he might visit Paris and 
other continental cities. He was ever afterward 
able to converse entertainly and intelligently con- 
cerning the marked characteristics of those places 
which he had visited ; and he always continued an 
omniverous reader, so that he kept accumulating 
information as to the changes wh'ch half a cen- 
tury worked in the different cities. Following his 
arrival in America he remained for a brief period 
in Sandusky. Ohio, and thence came to Ann 
Arbor, where he arrived in 1851. The embryo 
citv was in marked contrast to the old capitals of 
Europe, which he had recently seen with their 
advanced civilization and modern improvements. 
He found here a region in which tliere were still 
many evidences of frontier life. Much of the site 
of Ann .\rbor was still covered with the natural 
forest growth, and the university which had re- 
centlv been founded was such only in name. Then 
came the period of rapid development. The for- 
ests disappeared, being replaced by productive 
farms ; and many of these in turn were subdi- 
vided into streets and city lots, becoming the site 
of modern homes and substantial business blocks. 





//V-c^^dX^'/Zl/t^A 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



23 



while the university welcomed every year a 
freshman class larger than the entire population 
of the township when ]\Ir. ]\Iack first came, and 
numbered in all of its departments a student body 
greater than the population of the entire county 
at the time of his arrival. Many of his country- 
men established homes in this part of the state 
until the neighborhood about Ann Arbor grew 
distinctively German in tone. With them came 
jirosperity. born of Teutonic thrift and industry, 
and the advantages of Ann Arbor extended to ex- 
tensive proportions. Its banks grew rich and its 
capital invested in distant states. In a half cen- 
tury of progress the city had developed from a 
farming hamlet into an educational and financial 
center, the influence of which is imnieasuraljle. 

Mr. ]\Iack was closely identified with the in- 
terests here, and there was no one who rejoiced 
more in the progress of the county and munici- 
pality. His own career, too, was marked by steady 
development. He was first employed by John 
A. Maynard, a merchant, and the founder of one 
of Ann Arbor's old families. His previous ex- 
perience in mercantile lines, his ready perception 
and his close application soon made him the lead- 
ing employe of the Maynard establishment, and 
within four years he was sent to the eastern 
markets to purchase goods. After a clerkship of 
five years, he began business on his own ac- 
count, and his activities, having their root in this 
store, extended and ramified until his connections 
bound him with all that made for business de- 
velopment and prosperity in Washtenaw county 
and in the state. He conducted his store alone 
for a number of years, when on account of fail- 
ing eyesight, he admitted his brother-in-law, 
Frederick Schmid, to a partnership under the firm 
style of Mack & Schmid. 

This firm long occupied a unique position in 
commercial and financial circles in this city. They 
conducted a constantly growing trade in their 
store because of their well known reliability and 
trustworthiness they were called upon to act as 
bankers for the large farming settlement around. 
Men, who had been guided in their choice of 
homes by either Mr. Mack or Mr. Schmid, 
formed the habit of depositing tlieir earnings with 
the firm, or else acting upon their advice concern- 



ing investments ; and indeed they demanded of 
the firm all of the service commonly performed 
by banks. In time this business, originally un- 
sought and never systematically encouraged, 
grew to such proportions as to dwarf the mercan- 
tile business, which was the main object of the 
firm on its formation. The depositors, finding 
themselves treated with liberality, and their funds 
handled with a most scrupulous prudence, in- 
creased in numbers till the size of the business 
became an actual embarrassment to the managers. 
How carefull}' it was conducted was made mani- 
fest by the fact that it went through the great 
financial panics of 1873 '^'''tl 1893 miscathed. In 
the darkest days of the latter depression, deposit- 
ors still flocked to the store. At the time, the 
partners, feeling the pressure of advancing years, 
were beginning to discourage this kind of busi- 
ness, preparing indeed to abandon it ; and the 
constancy of their customers was sometimes em- 
barrassing. Associates of Mr. Mack tell of see- 
ing him gently but firmly escorting a protesting 
farmer's wife down the street to the savings bank 
and forcing her to deposit there a roll of money 
which she had insisted on committing to him 
alone. Truly he was an honest man, and "an hon- 
est man is the noblest work of God." He became 
a factor in the foundation and active manage- 
ment of three important financial institutions — 
the Ann Arbor Savings Bank in 1869, the Mich- 
igan Fire & Marine Insurance Company of De- 
troit in 1881, and the Citizens' Savings Bank of 
Detroit in 1885. Of each he was chosen a di- 
rector at the time of its organization, and con- 
tinued as such until his death. 

In 1875, when the Jay Cooke failure had some- 
what crippled the Ann Arbor Savings Bank, so 
that some of its directors thought it the part of 
prudence to sell their stock and leave the institu- 
tion to its fate, Mr. Mack took his place as the 
preserver of the bank, restored the capital which 
it needed and added a surplus of thrice that 
amount. He found the stock selling below par 
and left it selling for four hundred per cent, 
above par. The achievement was a notable one, 
showing the pride which he felt in the bank, and, 
moreover, disclosing the honesty which was one 
of the strongest characteristics of the man. 



24 



PAST AND i'RESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



On the 13th of Alarch, 1859, Mr. iNIack mar- 
ried Miss Marie Schmid. a daughter of the Rev. 
JM-ederick Schmid. one of tiic pioneer ministers 
of the Eulheran elnn-eii of thi.s ]iarl of ihe .state. 
;in<l the founder and npluiildi-r of I'.ethlehem 
ehureli. lie was a eilizcn. wild Id his last Iioin- 
was loved and honored li\ the ednmnniity in 
which he resided. l-'onr children came Id the 
lidme (if .Mr. and .Mrs. .Mack: I'.dwiu \-.. Walter 
C. .Mr>. Willis j. .Mihotl an<l .Mrs. Harry W. 
Hawlev. 

Nad .Mr. .Macl< ddiic udtliin^ else in life save 
in the line of husiness pursuits, he Wdidd then 
lie entitled td hdUdr.ahle ;ind ]irdminent mention 
in the liistorx df his cduuty. hut he contrihuted to 
its im])rovemeiU in man\ other waxs. lie aided 
iti the organization of Zion Littherati church, 
and served continuously as a deacon from the he- 
ginning ttiitil the close of his life. It would he 
difticnk to analyze fully the character of Chris- 
tian Mack, for there were de|)ths of his nature 
that none lint his own laniiK or his nearest and 
dearest friends ever sounded. .Ml knew him to 
he a successful merchant and hanker, and a man 
of irreproachalile Cdndnct in husiness life. .Manx 
knew, too, of his financial assistance in hours of 
need, his ready sympathy in times of distress ; and 
yet, he was always uudstentatidus in his acts of 
charity and deeds of ntercy. He had a receptive 
mind and a retentive memory, which was en- 
riched thrdughdut the \ ears hy hroad and com- 
prehensive reading: and he was a constant stu- 
dent of the classics, many of which he read in the 
German text. In the evening cif life, when he had 
more leisitre than was vouchsafed to him in his 
earlier husiness career, it was a matter of ileepest 
regret that his failing eyesight ])revented him 
from .spending the time w-ith !iis hooks, that he 
desired : and he had no greater pleasure than lis- 
tening while others read to him from master 
min<ls of the ages. Moreover, he was a student 
of the great social, economic and political rpies- 
tions of the day in all of their hearing upon hu- 
man existence and the trend df the world's his- 
tory. Tn matters of pt)litical moment his inter- 
ests were with the majority of the people. For 
over a quarter of a century he was a member of 
the school board of Ann Arbor, and one of the 



public schools was named in his honor. He died 
.\itgust 14, 1902; but the influence of his life will 
live fdr many years to come, finding its fruition 
in the further improvement and grow'th of Aim 
Arbor because of the seeds which he planted. His 
memory, too, is enshrined in the hearts of all wdio 
knew him. lie was honored by his business as- 
sdeiates and his fellowmen, respected by those 
who came within the closer circle of his acquaint- 
ance ,'ind Idxed li\ friends and f;imil\' as few men 
are lox'ed. 



j.v:\n':s iicrriel .^xcelj.. 

James Hurrill Angell, educator and statesman, 
who, because of his service as ijresident of the 
Cniversity df .Michigan for more than a third of 
a century and his incumbency in manv govern- 
ment jiositions of importance, has won national 
fame, was born in .Scituate, Rhode Island, Taii- 
u.iry 7, 1829. 1 lis preliminary education was su]i- 
plemented by study in I'.rown Ihiiversitw matric- 
ulating in the freshman class in .Se])tenil)er, 1S45. 
lie was graduated in 1849 \^''t'' highest honors. 
.\n aptitude for the various studies constituting 
the currieuhim characterized his college course. 
He was prominent as a classical scholar and dis- 
played ecfual facility in mastering the sciences. 
I lis enthusiasm for literary studies and his com- 
prehensive, accurate and philoso])hical and his- 
torical s])irit, which ha\'e since been stronglv de- 
xi'loped. were then ;iw .'ikeiKMl. It would perhaps 
li.ax'c been difficult to predict at the close of his 
college course in which department of learning he 
would be most successful if he chose to concen- 
trate his energies upon a single line. During his 
collegiate course under the influence of President 
Wayland's thorough anil sim])le C'hristian faith 
Hr. Angell also announced his allegiance to the 
cause of Christianity, attaching himself after a 
long and thoughtful examination of denomina- 
tional peculiarities and claims to the Congrega- 
tional church. 

During the last \ear ot his niiiversit\- course 
he became imbued with the desire of entering the 
Christian ministry — a purpose slowly formed and 




AMI'.S I',. AXCELL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OE WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



27 



'.ifkTward rcliictanlly al)aii(I(iiu(| iiiuler the pres- 
sure of opiiosiiij^ i.-ircuiiistaiices. 

For a \ear fullDwiii!; liis ^raduatinn l)\\ ,\n.L;ell 
was engajjjed in tcaeliiiit;' atul at the same time iiis 
leisure liours were devoted to such ])rivate 
studies as awakened Iiis keenest interest. In 1S51 
lie went ahrnad. s|)endin^ the succeedint;; two 
ye;irs in study and travel in h'.urope and from his 
foreii;n residence he was recalled to accept the 
chair of modern lantjuag'es and literature in 
IJrown University. This |)osition he filled to the 
satisfaclinn of all connected with the college until 
1860. wluMi he resigned his professorship to enter 
the field of journalism, heconn'ng editor for .Sen- 
ator I lenry 1!. Anthony of his newspaj)er "The 
louinal." 1)|-. Angell remained in charge of that 
])uhlication for six years and then resigned to 
acce))! the jjresidency of the University of \ cr- 
monl. with wiiieh he was connected uiuil 1.X71, 
when he came to the ITniversity of Michigan. In 
iS()S his alma mater had conferrefl ujion him llu' 
degree of Doctor- of Laws. 

I lis work in hehalf of the llniversity of Michi- 
gan is a matter of histf)ry. TTis success is indi- 
cated hy its inatcrial growth and his national fame 
as an educator is the legitimate result of ability 
that would qualify liim to fill any ])osition in con- 
nection with the great institutions of learning in 
America. When he assumed charge in 1871 there 
had hcen an enrollment for the year of eleven 
Inimht'd and ten sIiiiIcuIn .and for the year 1905 
and 1906 there was an enrollment of over four 
thousand. The University of Michigan was the 
first institiUion to take rank with the old estab- 
lished universities (ju the Atlantic coast and its 
position is attribut;il)le in large measure to the 
efforts of Dr. .Angell. I l<' is ;m enthusiast, vet is 
a man of action ratlier than llicoi'v and the rec- 
ords of the miiversity are i)ractically a detailed 
account of his life labors since 1871. More than 
seventeen thousand students have been awardi-d 
diplomas from his h.aud and more than ten thou- 
sand additional ]iu|iils have studied under his 
direction in Ann Arbor. 

Dr. Angell has also won national fame in con- 
nection with his service in various government 
positions. .As minister to China, member (jf the 
I'isheries Commission, chairman of the l)ee|i 



Waterways Commission and minister to Turkey, 
he has honored his government with his services 
and in this field has made for himself a name of 
niori' tli.iii national ])rominence. 



I'.kK II K. rill'AVS. 



h'.rich l\. riicws. who since 1901 has been a 
partner in the firm of Wines & Thews, doing a 
contracting business and also carrying on a whole- 
.sale and retail trade in ])ainters', glaziers' and 
paper hangers' supjrlies, was born in Ann Arbor 
January 6, 1871. Mis father, Daniel Thews, was 
for many years engineer with the Krouse Fanning 
('oiiip;ui\. ;uid died in 1886. His mother, Mrs. 
l\os;i Thews, is now living with her son, I^ouis, 
who is a painter iti California. In the familv 
were two sons who died in childhood. 

F.rich K. Thews was educated in ICnglish and 
<leriii;in ;it the second ward public schof)l in y\iin 
.Arbor, and when fourteen years of age went to 
work in ,1 furniture factory, where he remained 
for three or four years. In 1892 he began learn- 
ing the painlxjr's trade under the direction of 
( )scar Sorg, subsequent to which time he s]>cnt 
several seasons as a paper hanger in the employ 
of William llerz. Eater he was employed suc- 
cessively' by Ceorge Wahr and John Teiiicr, 
and in iijoi he beg.in business for himself as a 
paper li.anger, tinter and glazier. In the fall of 
that Near he admitted E.ugene .\. Wines to a part- 
nership, thus forming the present firm of Wines 
X- Thews, located at No. 537 West Third street. 
This firm is well known throughout the county 
and in addition to tbi'ir contracting business they 
li;ive an extensive trade both as whoU'sale and re- 
tail deali'rs in |)aiiiters', glaziers' and pa[)er hang- 
ers' supplirs, keeping a large stock on hand. 
Their biisiiios uiellKids commend tlu'm to the 
confidence of ;ill .-ind ,1 liln'ral i)atronage is ac- 
corded them. 

In 1897 Mr. Thews was united in marriage to 
Miss Henrietta Kbit, of, .Ann .Arlxir, and unto 
them has been born a daughter, Eleanor, now 
aboiM a year and ;i half old. Mr. Thews is a 
pfominrtit member of the Maccabees tent and in 



28 



PAST AND PRESENT Ol' WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



politics is indepcndciil. lie resides at No. ^^j 
West Third street, Ann Arlior, and is one of the 
native sons of the city, who Ihrouj^'h his force of 
character and nlihzatinn of opportunity has 
worked his wa\ -<lea(lily upward until todav he 
has a business that is hrini^iui^ hiui \rr\ jirolilahle 
returns and which also indicates his ]>ro<;ressive 
and determined spirit. 



]•:. II. COOK. 

Many of the native sons of Washtenaw county 
have continued tlieir residence within its borders, 
finding here good advantages and business op- 
portunities, while in the exercise of their native 
powers they ha\e gained credit'ible and gratif\ing 
success. To this class belongs iMr. Cook, who 
now follows farming <in section _^3. rittsfield 
township. He was liorn in Lodi townshii) on 
the i6th of .\ugust. 1<S6(;, and is of ( ierman line- 
age. His paternaC grandfather, John t'ook, was 
born in Germany, and at an c;irl\ date came to 
this state, entering land in Washtenaw count) 
and assisting the jjioneers in their etYorts to re- 
claim this region for the pun)oses of civilization. 
His son, Jactil.) Cook, father of our suljject, was 
born on the old family homestead in Lodi town- 
ship, and at the age of twenty-five years was 
married to Miss Catherine Zahn, who was also 
born in I.odi township, while her father, John 
Zahn, was a native of (ieruiany. .\s the years 
passed Jacob Cook engaged quite extensively in 
farming and stock raising in ^'ork townshi]). 
where he owneil anil ojicrated two lunulred acres 
ol land. In addition to the tilling o| the soil 
and the production of crops best adai)ted to the 
climate he raised stock on a large scale and found 
this is a profitalile source of income, 1 le belonged 
to the (rerniau l.uther.an church .and he gave his 
])olitical allegiance to the republican |iarl\. In 
his family were two daughters: .Mary, the wife 
of Theodore I'eldkamp. by whom he has three 
children, their fatuily home being in ^"ork town- 
ship; and Eliza, the wife of Fred Rash, of .^nn 
Arbor, by whom slu' h;is three children. 

E. H. Cook, the only son and the second child, 
was reared to farm life under the parental roof. 



giving his father tlu' benetit of his services until 
eighteen years of ;ige. He ac(|uired his education 
in tile common schools and afto'ward worked 
at farm labor until twenty-two years of age, when 
hi \\:is married to Miss Olive Wheelock, who 
w,is born April 2]. i868, and is a daughter of 
I'jnnams Wheeloi-k. a native of New York. Her 
grandfather was one of the ])ionecr settlers of 
Micliigan. .\lr. .-ind Mrs. (nok !i;ive become the 
parents of three children : Hazel, born Julv 25, 
1895 • ^^fildred, born .\pril 14, lyoo; and Clarence, 
born .Septemlier 2J, tgo4. 

The home farm is a tract of eiglitv acres of 
rich and \alrable land devoted to the production 
of various cereals and also to stock raising. Mr. 
Cook has recently erected a tine large residence 
anil new outbuildings and in fact has one of the 
best im])ro\ed farm jiroperties in his locality. 
Everything about the ]jlace indicates his careful 
supervision, and he is well known as a practical 
and ])rogressi\'e farmer, who is winning well- 
merited profit in his laliors. In his political views 
he is an earnest re])ublican, but he has no desire 
for office. Socialh" he is a member of Saline 
lodge, No. 13:;, A. v. Ik \. M.. and he likewise 
belongs to Maccabees tent. No. 46, of .Saline, in 
which he has held some offices. He is one of the 
prominent native sons of the county, his record 
having ever been in hannon\ with the historv of 
the family in their identification with the best in- 
terests of the county and its snbst.antial growth 
and im|)rovement. 



1( )1IX LAWS( )X. 



liihn Lawsnn, pojiular and prijuiinent in \\'ash- 
tenaw county, where he is now filling the office of 
register of deeds, was born in Ypsilanti. Afichi- 
gan, February 14, 1863. His father, Robert Faw- 
siin, was a nati\'e ot Ireland, and w lun a \oung' 
man came to America, hoping that he might enjoy 
better business opportunities in the new world. 
During the early years of his residence here he 
worked as a laborer and later he followed farming 
mUil his activit\- and energ\ had brought him 
capital sufficient to permit of his purchase of land. 



PAST AND i'RESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



29 



He married Miss Catherine Frazer, a native of 
Scotland, and soon after the birth of their son 
John, Air. Lawson removed with his family to 
Wa}ne county, [Michigan, where he carried on 
general agricultural pursuits for ten years. He 
then returned to Washtenaw county and was 
again identified with farming interests here. 

John Lawson acquired his education largel\' 
in and near Ypsilanti, attending the district and 
citv schools as he found opportunity. I fe worked 
with his father on the farm through the period 
of his youth and after attaining his majority fol- 
lowed the same pursuit. Later, however, he en- 
gaged in the charcoal business and subsequently 
became proprietor of a general store and a saw 
and lumber mill in this coimty, carrying on those 
pursuits for about twelve years, during which 
time he met with a fair measure of success. In 
1904 he was elected to the office of register of 
deeds and removed to Ann Arbor. He has al- 
ways been a stanch re])ublican in his j)olitical 
views, recognized as an earnest and helpful 
worker in the ranks of the party and he is now 
justifying the trust reposed in him by his con- 
stituents through his prompt and faithful dis- 
charge of the duties that devolve upon hiiu. 

Mr. Lawson was first married to Miss Minerva 
Coif, a cousin of his present wife, and there was 
one child by that union. Olive. Mr. Lawson 
was married in 1893 to Miss Mavy Coif, wdio was 
horn in Exeter. Monroe-county. Michigan. They 
now have four children. John Dale. George N.. 
Milton R. and Walter C. All of the children 
were born in Washtenaw county. Mr. Lawson 
is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. 
He is a young man well liked because of his 
genial manner and genuine personal wurtli and 
the county finds in him a capable office holder. 



EMORY E. LELAND. 

Emory E. Leland. judge of the probate court 
of Washtenaw county, was born in Northfield 
towu^hi]). Michigan, in 1845. His paternal grand- 
father, Joshua Leland. was a native of New York. 
in wliich state he followed farminsf. His son. 



Joshua G. Leland. Jr., likewise a native of the 
Empire state, came to Michigan, in 1829. set- 
tling first in Xfjrthfield township, where he car- 
ried on general agricultural pursuits. Subse- 
quently he purchased land in Ann Arbor town- 
ship, Washtenaw county, and was engaged in the 
further develo])ment and im])rovement of that 
farm up to the time of his death, which occurred 
when he \\-as seventy-one years of age. His last 
days were ]jassed in Ann Arbor, and he was 
known as a man whose business integrity was un- 
assailable, while his capacity for the successful 
conduct of enterprises was widely acknowledged. 
He held various tow'nship offices of trust and he 
became one of the organizers of the W^ashtenaw 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, to the presi- 
dency of which he w^as chosen on its formation 
and in which position he continued for several 
years. His jjolitical allegiance was imfalteringly 
given to the republican party. He married Aliss 
Nancy Bly, who was born in Madison county. 
New York, and died in .\nn Arljor at the age of 
seventy-one years. In their family were five 
children, of whoiu Judge Leland was the young- 
est. One son, Joshua B. Leland, now deceased, 
was a soldier of the Civil war, acting as lieutenant 
of Company A. Twentieth Michigan Infantry. 
The sisters are Mrs. Juliet Townsend. Mrs. C. 
H. Warden and Mrs. S. J. Lovvry. 

Judge Leland. sjjending his youth in North- 
field township, was educated in the public schools 
there and became his father's assistant in farming 
operation. Lie has always been interested to a 
greater or less extent in agricultural pursuits and 
is now the owner of the land in Northfield town- 
ship wdiich his father purchased upon his removal 
froni New York state to Michigan. On leaving" 
the home farm Judge Leland became a salesman 
for the Deering Harvester Company, which he 
represented in the sale of agricultural implements 
for seven years, at the end of which time he was 
elected in 1904 as probate judge of Washtenaw^ 
count\- upon the re])ublican ticket. This was not 
the first ]3ublic office of trust and responsibility 
given him. for during several years he had been 
supervisor of his township. He has also been 
a director of the \\'ashtenaw .Mutual Fire In- 
surance Company for the past fifteen years atid 



30 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



for several years has been its president, acting at 
this writing as its chief executive officer. He is 
called the farmer judg"e because of his long con- 
nection with agricultural interests here, and this 
calls to mind that Washington said more than 
a century ago that farming is the most useful 
and honorable occupation to which man can de- 
vote his energies. The integrity and trustworthi- 
ness of Judge Leland in all matters of business 
connection and public trust are above question 
and in the discharge of his duties of his present 
position he is fully justifying the confidence re- 
posed in him. 

In 1868, Judge Leland was married in Ann 
-Vrljor, to Miss Sarah C. Sawyer, a native of 
Vermont, who died in iS(;4. at the age of fiftv 
years, leaving six children, all born in Northfield 
township. Joshua H.. superintendent of schools 
at Mount X'ernon, (~)hio, is married and has one 
son, Robert C. Thad E., who is engaged in the 
real-estate business in Detroit, Michigan, married 
Agnes Pfifle, and has three chililren, Catherine. 
Dorothy and Maria. Edward R., living on the 
old homestead in Northfield township, wedded 
Margaret Dumi, and has (jne daughter, .Madeline. 
Gertrude E. is the wife of Ceorge Luke, and has 
a daughter, Helen. .\nna M. is a teacher in the 
public schools of Detroit. Ira is a draughtsman 
of that city. In iSgfi Judge Lelind wedded Mrs. 
Ada L. Rudd, nee Sawyer, a sister of his first 
W'ife, Having s]ient his entire life in Washtenaw 
county he has a wide acquaintance and his his- 
tory is familiar to a majority of our readers who 
recognize in him the possessor of those sterling 
traits of character which conunand uniform re- 
spect and admiration. 



AUGUSTUS r.l'.VER. 



.\ugustus P.e)er, jiresident of the Ypsilanti 
Savings l^ank, was born in Ohio in 1828. His 
father, John P.eyer, was a native of Pennsylvania 
and ilie<l at the venerable age of eighty years, 
while the mother, who bore the maiden name of 
Elizabeth Spangler and was also a native of the 
Buckeye state, passed away in early womanhood. 
They had five cliildren, Anijiistus Ikmul; the onlv 



one now living. The father was a merchant, fol- 
lowing commercial pursuits in Ohio throughout 
his entire life. 

.\ugustus Beyer acquired his early education in 
the common schools and afterward attended Ken- 
\on College. Subsequently he took up the study 
of law in New Philadelphia, Ohio, in the office 
and under the direction of J. C. Hance and sub- 
sequently, in 1850, he came to Michigan, settling 
in Ypsilanti. Here he conducted the Huron 
Flouring Mills in connection with .\le.xander 
Ross. They had both the Huron and Ypsilanti 
mills and after a short time Mr. Beyer sold his 
interest and returned to his native state. Subse- 
quently he went to Iowa, where he remained for 
two years, being engaged in the land business 
there. ( )n the expiration of that period he re- 
turned to ( )hio and again devoted his energies to 
milling from 1864 until t88o. He was very suc- 
cessful in that enterprise and after selling out in 
the latter year he became connected with the iron 
industry, which also pnived to him a gratifying 
source of profit until i8c)0, when he disposed of 
his plant to the United States steel trust. In 1898 
he came to Ypsilanti and has been connected with 
different enterprises of this city. He has been a 
representative of electrical business here and has 
also been connected with agricultural interests. 
On his arrival in Washtenaw county he purchased 
two farms in Ypsilanti township, which he still 
owns, and he likewise has an elegant residence on 
North Huron street, which he occn]iies. For some 
time he was an active factor in the ownership and 
conduct of the Electric Light and Power Com- 
pan\' but has withdrawn from that industry. He 
is now the ])resideut of the Ypsilanti Savings 
Rank, which position he has occupied for several 
vears, and it has become a strong financial insti- 
tution, conducting a good business. 

In 1877, in Ohio, Mr. Beyer w-as married to 
?iliss Sarah Espich, of that state. They have no 
children of their own, but have legally adojitcd a 
son, .\ugustus Oua\-. 

In business matters Mr. Beyer is conservative, 
every step being carefully and thoughtfully made, 
and vet he has manifested that persistency of ]nn-- 
pose which ultimately reaches the objective point. 
His years of business activity have been crowned 



* 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



33 



■with success and his labor has found its just re- 
ward in well merited prosperity. In matters of 
citizenship he is pubhc spirited with a deep inter- 
est in the general welfare that has caused him to 
give active co-operation to many movements for 
the good of the community. Personally he is 
highly esteemed and in the years of his residence 
in Ypsilanti has made many warm friends. 



FREDERICK M. FREEMAN. 

Frederick Al. l-'reeman, a member of the Wash- 
tenaw county bar. practicing in Manchester and 
,\nn Arbor, and now filling for the second term 
the position of president of the village, was born 
on the 6th of .August, 1870. His father, William 
Freeman, was a native of Connecticut, and was 
descended from New England ancestry that 
was planted on .\merican soil at an early period 
in the colonization of the new world. In 1836 
"he left the east and came to Michigan, settling a 
mile southwest of Manchester. He was then a 
young lad of about six or seven years, and made 
the trip with his parents into what was then a 
new and undeveloped district. His father. 
Thomas Freeman, entered one luuidred and si.xtv 
acres of land on section 16, Manchester township, 
now owned by S. L. Palmer, and there carried on 
agricultural jnirsuits for a number of ^■ears. In 
bis family were thirteen children, of whom 
William Freeman was the eighth in order of 
birth, .\11 are now deceased. Reared amid the 
wild scenes of frontier life. William Freeman 
aided in the arduous task of developing a new 
fann. and shared with the family in the hard- 
ships and trials incident to the establishment of 
a home on the frontier. He married Miss Jane 
Victoria Force, who was born in Manchester, and 
■was a daughter of Ephraim E. and Jane Force, 
natives of New York, who came to Michigan 
about 1830. Mr. Force, for many vears prior to 
the advent of the railroad, engaged in teaniing, 
bauling flour from Manchester to Gielsea and 
Monroe. Both he and his wife were of New 
England ancestry, and in their faniily were four 
children, all of whom have passed away. Mr. 



and Mrs. William Freeman became the parents 
of five children : Louis T., who is a grocer and 
druggist of Chelsea ; Frederick M. ; Arthur C, 
who is proprietor of the Freeman House ; Ralph, 
a grocer of Chelsea ; and Chauncey, who is en- 
gaged in the grocery business there as a member 
of the firm of Freeman Brothers. The father died 
in 1887, at the age of sixty years, while the 
mother passed away in 1881, at the age of thirty- 
nine years. 

Frederick M. Freeman spent the first nineteen 
years of his life upon his father's and other farms, 
sometimes working as a hired farm laborer, and 
attended the district and graded schools of Man- 
chester. He was graduated from the Manchester 
L"nion schools in 1889. being president and orator 
of his class. In the meantime he liad devoted 
three or four years to farni labor, and at a later 
date he took up the study of law with his couisn, 
.\. F. Freeman, who directed his preliminar\ 
reading until his admission to the bar on the 8th 
of June, 1894. In the following year he entered 
into the partnership with his former preceptor 
under the firm style of A. F. & F. M. Freeman, 
and thev have enjoyed an extensive practice 
which connects them with much of the important 
litigation tried in the courts of this district. Air. 
Freenian, of this review, was admitted to the 
practice in the United States courts in January. 
1905, and is a member of the Michigan State Bar 
Association. The co-partnership still continues, 
and the firm have offices at .\nn Arbor, where 
Mr. Freenian is much of the time in attendance 
at court. 

On the i8th of Tune. 1901. was celebrated the 
marriage of Frederick M. Freenian and Miss .\nn 
Ette Kingsley, who was born in Manchester in 
1878. and died on the 7th of April, 1905. She 
was a daughter of John H. and Alatilda AT. 
Kingslev, pioneer settlers of Washtenaw county, 
descended from New England ancestry. She was 
an educated and talented young woman, a cul- 
tured vocalist and stood high in social circles. 

Fraternally Afr. Freenian is connected with the 
Elks and with various branches of the Alasonic 
order. His political alle.giance is given to the 
republican party and he has alwa\s taken an ac- 
tive interest in its work and progress. Since 



34 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



lie atlaiiK-il his inajurity tluTu has nol Ijl'cu a 
county, congTessicmal or state convention that lie 
has not attended, while on numerous occasions 
he has addressed audiences on the issues of the 
campaign, for his logical argnnient ;uul forceful 
I^resentation of his case never fail to elicit deep 
interest and oftentimes most hearty support. In 
the spring of IQ04 he was elected president of 
the village of Manchester without oppi)sition and 
was re-elected in the spring- of 1905, so that he 
is the present ineunihent in the office, and he is 
giving to the village a ]nihlic-spirited and pro- 
gressive administration, having tleep and sincere 
interest in its welfare and general improvement. 



J. FREDERICK WUERTH. 

J. Frederick \\ uertli, a memlier of the firm nl" 
Staebler & Wuerth. dealers in clothing and men's 
furnishing goods of No. 211 South Main street, 
Ann .Vrbor, was JKini in the black forest in the 
kingdom of Wurtemberg. Germany, February 25. 
1871. ITis father. T.ouis ^^'uertll. was a fanner, 
and died two months before the son Frederick 
was born. The mother, who prior to her mar- 
riage bore the name of Fredricka Heist, died in 
Ann Arbor in 11)02. In the family were five sons 
and two daughters, naniel}- : Louis, a carpenter, 
engaged in business in .\nn .\rbor: Christian, a 
resident farmer of I.^odi townshi]) : Charles, a 
clerk in the em])loy of Martin llaller. of this 
city; John, a resident farmer of Ann Arbor town- 
ship; (ieorge .\... an official at the head(|uarters 
of the Young Men's Christian .\ssocialion at .\nii 
Arbor; Mrs. Ricka Schnierle. of Ann Arbcii- 
township; Mrs. Lena Kapp. of the cit\ of Ann 
.\rbor; and J- Frederick. 

In the year 1872 the mother brmiglu her fam- 
ily ti> the United States and made her wav at 
once to Ann .\rl)or. Mr. \\'uerth of this review 
was then only about a year old. .\t the usual age 
he entered the public schools, wherein lie pur- 
sued his studies continuousK imtil fourteen vears 
of age, with the excc])tion of a period of two 
years, which he spent in studying ("iernian at the 
r.ethleheni ( '.ennan F.vangelical ])arochial school. 



W hen liis education was completed he entered 
upon his business career in the cai)acity of a 
clerk in the einplny of George W'ahr, of Ann 
. Vrbor, with whom he remained for twelve years. 
Xo higher testimonial of his efficiency, capability 
and trustworthiness could be given than the fact 
that he was so long retained in one service, in 
1900, in connection with Roljert 1'^. .Staebler, he 
estalilished the well known clothing and furnish- 
ing house of Staebler & Wuerth, located at 211 
South Main street. They carry a large anil well- 
selected line I if clothing and men's furnishing 
goods, and the business has proven profitable 
from the beginning, their patronage steadily in- 
creasing as the years have gone by. 

In politics Mr. VN'uerth is independent. He be- 
longs to the Masonic fraternity, and, advancing 
through successive degrees, is now a Knight 
Templar and memlier of the Mystic Shrine. He 
is alsii a prominent and valued representative of 
the local lod,ge of the ^Modern Woodmen and of 
the Maccabees, and he belongs to the German 
Evangelical Lutheran church, holding member- 
slii)) in the Fourth .Vvenue Bethlehem congrega- 
tion. He resides at No. 510 West Liberty street, 
.\nn .\rbor, and in this city almost his entire life 
has been passed, for he was little more than a 
year old when brought to the United States, His 
history is therefore largely familiar to his fellow 
townsmen, and the fact that many of his stanch- 
est friends are thnse who have known him from 
his boyhond to the i)resent, is an indication that 
he has lived an upright life. 



JOHN O'CONXOR. 



Inhn ( VConuor, a niolder in the employ of the 
.Michigan .Manufacturing Cnmp.iny. was born in 
the cit\' of Ypsilanti on the i2tli nf June. iS'iS, 
and is a son of |olin and bdizabeth (Nowlin) 
O'Connor, both natives of Ireland, whence they 
came to .\mcrica in 1860. The father's last days 
were spent in ^"J)^ilanti, where his death occurred 
in 1871, but his widow still survives and >et 
makes her home in this city. In their family were 
seven children, of whom five are ni>w living. 



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T. F. Wl'ERTH. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



37 



namely : Mrs. Maggie Dihvortli, of Detroit ; 
Henry, also of Detroit ; James, who is engaged 
in the painting bnsiness in Ypsilanti ; John, of 
this review, and Mrs. Sarah Laidlaw. Two 
daughters, Mary and Mrs. Elizabeth Derr, who 
were respectively the second and fourth in order 
of birth in the family, have now ])assed away. 

At the usual age John O'Connor entered the 
public schools of his native city, wherein he con- 
tinued his studies until he had gained a fair 
knowledge of the branches of learning which 
equip one for life's practical duties. After put- 
ting aside his text-books and entering upon his 
business career in order to earn his own living 
he spent three years as an employe of the Michi- 
gan Central Railroad, and then took up the task 
of learning the molder's trade.' He has since been 
employed in this capacity and is now a repre- 
sentative of the Michigan Manufacturing Com- 
pany, his efficiency and trustworthiness having 
secured for him a good position. 

Tn his political views he is a stanch democrat 
and is now serving for the second year as alder- 
man from the fourth ward. As an official he 
gives careful consideration to each question which 
comes before the city council for settlement and 
favors progressive measures leading to permanent 
improvement. He has a wide acquaintance in the 
city where his entire life has been passed and 
where he is known as a trustworthy man, while 
his socir.l qualities have gained him many warm 
friends. 



GEORGE BURKHART. 

George Burkhart, postmaster of Saline, and a 
popular and well known citizen, comes of worthy 
German ancestry. He vras born in this village 
May 30, 1862, but his father, Charles Frederick 
Burkhart, was a native of Wurtemberg, and in 
his childhood days was brought from Germany to 
America by his parents, who settled in the town- 
ship of Freedom. There Charles F. Burkhart 
was reared and educated, and after putting aside 
his text-books he worked for his father on the 
home farm for several years. He then took up 
his abode in the village of Saline and secured a 



clerkship in a dry goods store. Later he started 
in the dry -goods business on his own account in 
the early '60s, and is still identified with business 
interests here. He then bought a farm of one 
hundred and twenty acres three-fourths of a mile 
west of Saline, becoming owner of this property 
in the early '80s. He has since carried on agricul- 
tural pursuits through his son, Charles F., and 
is one of the representative farmers of this part 
of the county. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Maria L. Case, was born in Saline town- 
ship, and died at the age of twenty-six years, 
when her son George was six )'ears of age. The 
other members of the family were : Frederick 
I... who is engaged in clerking in his father's 
store ; Charles F., who occupies the home farm 
in Saline township ; Mrs. John Wahr, of Ann 
Arlxir, who died in 1890; Mrs. William Cody, 
of i'ittsfield township: and lionise, who is living 
with her father in Saline. 

Cjeorge Burkhart acquired his education in the 
village schools, completing a course in the Sa- 
line high school with the class of 1880. From 
his early youth he was more or less familiar 
with mercantile methods through the assistance 
which he rendered his father, and for seventeen 
years he remained in his employ as a clerk. Dur- 
ing this time he was married on the 19th of May, 
1892, to Miss Marguerite Harmon, a daughter of 
-Anson and Jane Harmon, of Saline, representa- 
tives of an old family of that township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Burkhart have an adopted son. Donald, the 
chikl of his wife's cousin, born April 26, 1894. 

From early boyhood days Mr. Burkhart has 
taken an active interest in politics and has always 
been a champion of republican principles. He 
has taken an active and helpful interest in the 
work of the party in this locality, has been presi- 
dent of the corporation of Saline, also a trustee 
and the treasurer of the village. He is now not 
only serving as postmaster, but is also a director 
of the school board, and the cause of education 
finds in him a warm friend. He received appoint- 
ment to his present position as postmaster in 1897, 
and gives a public-spirited administration, char- 
acterized by promptness and fidelity in the dis- 
charge of all his duties. It was through his 
efforts that the postal authorities consented to have 



3^^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW CUUNTY. 



two extra mail doHvcrics made in Saline, tisiiis; 
the electric railway for this ]nirposc. l'"ratornall\ 
Mr. lliu-kharl is connected with the Masons and 
has taken the Royal Arch dei;rces. He is also a 
Kniijht of the Maccabees and is clerk in the Alod- 
ern Woodmen camp, lie is also identified with 
the ]\Iodern lirotherhood of America and is a 
member of tlie .\rbeiter X'crein. Mr. llnrkhart is 
one of the most popnlar and esteemed residents 
of Saline, possessing' a kindly manner, a cheery 
disposition and an nnfailins;- conrtesy which ren- 
der hini a favorite with all with whom he conies 
in contact. .\ strant^er visiting the village always 
hnds in him a friend who is willing to ilo a favor 
or grant a conrtesy to the visitor. I'.oth he .and 
his father h;\ve been actively associated wiili the 
welfare and improvement of Saline for many 
vears, and their efTorts have fonnd tangible evi- 
dence in liearty co-operation in man\- movements 
that have been of direct good. 



MOSES Kl'RXCtHin. 



Dnring a residi-nce of six vears in Ann Arb'ir 
^^oses Kerngood won the warm friendship of 
m:m\ with whnm he came in contact, .\ltliongh 
the period of his connection with the cit\' was 
comparativelv brief, ami dnring that time he lived 
retired, he yet gained a very wide and favorable 
acquaintance and was especiall\- well known in 
fraternal circles. His birth occurred in S\ racnse. 
New York, on the 4th of .August, 1S47. his pa- 
rents being Sitnon and Fanny Kerngood, both 
of whom were natives of Germany. They came 
to .\merica at an early day, and the father spent 
the greater part of his life in the state of New 
"S'ork, living in various tcwn. His death occurred 
in Svracuse, while his wife jiassed away in Haiti- 
more, ^^arylan(l. 

Moses Kerngood aciiuired his education in the 
public schools of Syracuse, New York, which he 
attended until thirteen years of age. The father 
died when the son was quite young and the family 
was left in straitened circumstances, so that it 
became necessary for Mr, Kerngood to earn his 
own living. He secured a position as clerk in 



a clothing store in Syracuse, where he was em- 
|)loyed for three >'ears, and from his small salary 
he assisted his widowe<I mother. I'lccoming im- 
bued, however, with a desire to enter the medi- 
cal profession he sought employment in a phvsi- 
cian's office, and at dilferent limes was thus as- 
sociated with various medical practitioners of 
Syracuse, his leisure Ikmu's during that period 
being devoted to reading medicine. During the 
( i\ il war he acted as courier, carrying dispatches 
from W'.asbington to .Mexanclria, \Mrginia, for 
Colonel II. 11. Wells, proN'ost mars.al general 
south of the Potomac. 

Ilaving saved a sum of monev, .Mr. Kerngood 
tciok his mother to Baltimore, Maryland, where 
lie was engaged in the clothing business for a 
sliort time, but in iSd^ he returned to New York 
and entered the employ of a clothing house at 
Almira. The following year he removed to 
Rochester t<'> act as manager for a Mr, McDon- 
;dd. who was the proprietor of the larg-est clothing; 
establishment in that cit\. In i8(>S he embarked 
in the oil business, and in 187J turned his atten- 
iii>n to the wholesale and retail tobacco trade, but 
in 1878 returned to the clothing business, be- 
coming a member of the lirm of Rosetithal, Cauff- 
man & Compan\ , manufacturers of clothing. He 
came to Michigan in 1883. ami in jiartnership 
with Afessrs. Rosenthal tS: Doyle carried on busi- 
ness at Saginaw under the tirm style of the Ex- 
celsior (lothing Cdmpanv, successors to "IJttle 
Jake." lie continueil in trade there until 1889. 
enjoying a large and growing patronage which 
brought him a very gratifying competence. Tn 
the year 1808 he removed to .\nn Arbor in order 
to educate his daughter in the university, and for 
a brief period conducted a billiard parlor, but 
soon disposed of that, and on account of ill health 
gave up all business interests. 

Mr. Kerngood was married in Rochester, New 
^■ork, to Aliss Henrietta Rosenthal, a native of 
Kokomo. Indiana, and a daughter of Samuel 
Rosenthal, who was a clothing merchant there. 
T.ater her father removed to Rochester, New- 
York, where he engaged in the wholesale cloth- 
ing business until five years prior to his death, 
when he sold his stock to his son, J- W. Rosenthal, 
and his son-in-law, Mr. Kerngood. He then 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



39 



lived retired in Rochester up to the time of his 
death. There was only one child born to Air. 
and Mrs. Kerngood, Fanny S., now the wife of 
Harrv O. Schloss, who is engaged in the tailoring 
business in i'.altimore. Maryland, where they make 
their home. 

l'"or about ten years Mr. Ker.ngood was in ill 
health and was quite a sufferer during the last 
five vears of his life. He passed away August 
22, 1905, respected by all who knew him. while 
his death was the occasion of deep and wide- 
spread regret among many friends. His remains 
were cremated at Detroit and buried in Mt. Hope 
cemetery. Rochester, Xevv York. 

In his political affiliation Mr. Kerngood was a 
republican and while living in Rochester served 
as alderman. He was very prominent in social 
orders, and throughout the greater part of his 
life was connected with the Masonic fraternity, 
joining to the lodge in Rochester, and afterward 
attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish 
Rite in Xew York city. Coming to the west he 
affiliated with the Masonic lodge at Saginaw, and 
he was soon to take the thirty-third, or last, 
degree, but death claimed him before this honor 
was conferred upon him. He was a life member 
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
and was the first ruler of the lodge at Saginaw. 
He was also president of the Saginaw Charity 
Association for seven years and was one of its 
organizers. He was likewise one of the organ- 
izers and members of the Red IMen's tent at 
Saginaw, and he belonged to the Knights of 
Pytliias fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, the National Union, Royal League, An- 
cient r)rder of I'nited Workmen and the Business 
Men's .Association. He was an intimate friend 
of W. F. Cody— Buffalo Bill. 

Mr. Kerngood was quite successful in his busi- 
ness undertakings, carefully planning his advance- 
ment and making a record in mercantile circles 
that any man might well envy. His career ex- 
cited the admiration and respect of his contempo- 
raries, for it was marked by consecutive advance- 
ment, and although he started out in life in a 
humble financial position he steadily worked his 
way upward to success and prominence. During 
the period of his residence in Ann Arbor he made 



many friends and was especially prominent in 
Alasonic circles. He possessed a kindly, genial 
spirit and a sympathetic disposition that won him 
high regard, and his loss was deeply regretted 
by all who knew him. The funeral services were 
in charge of the Alasonic fraternity, and in ac- 
cordance with his request his remains were cre- 
mated and the ashes taken to Rochester, New 
York, for i)urial. Mrs. KerngcxxJ now resides at 
No. 109 South Ingalls street, and is well known 
in social circles here, while the hospitality of the 
best homes of Ann Arbor is freelv accorded her. 



JAMES HFXRY OTOOLE, D. T). S, 

Dr. James Henry O'Toole. one of the younger 
representatives of the dental fraternity of Ann 
.\rbor, whose years, however, seem no bar to his 
professional success, was born in Dexter, Washte- 
naw county, July 28, 1871, his parents being 
Lawrence and Catherine (Smith) O'Toole, both 
of whom are yet living. The father came to Ann 
Arbor in 1855 and engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness here, but for the past quarter of a century 
has been a deakr in sewing machines. In the 
famil}^ were three sons: James Henry; George 
deceased, and Francis Joseph, who is employed 
by the' telephone company of Ann .Arbor. 

.\t the usual age Dr. O'Toole entered the pub- 
lic schools and passed through the successive 
grades of the grammar and high schools of Ami 
Arbor until he had completed the full course. 
He prepared for his profession in the University 
of Alichigan, being graduated from the dental 
department with the class of 1896. Thus well 
equipped for his chosen profession he opened an 
office in .\nn Arbor, which is well equipped with 
the latest appliances known to the dental frater- 
nity. He has kept thoroughly in touch with the 
progress being continually made by the profes- 
sion, adopting each new method whose practical 
utility has been proven. He has now a very ex- 
tensive patronage and his business is continually 
increasing. 

Dr. O'Toole is a member of the Catholic church 
and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and 



40 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



ihc L'alliolic Muiiial I'lciiclil Assooialii'ii, lie has 
voted iov tlK' caiulidatos of bntli llic ii'inihlicaii 
and democratic parties and docs imt consiilcr him- 
self hound hy i>arty ties, i;-ivinij- his support to 
the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for 
office. W ilh a wide acquaintance in the county 
of his nativity and the city of his residence he is 
rci^arded as a popular yiunii; man with a lari^e 
circle of friends. 



n^l.(^N'F.T. in-.X'RV STl'.W ART DE.V.X. 

(.'i.lc.nel Henry Stewart Dean, a merchant of 
Ann Arhor for forty years, whose name fii^ures 
on the pai;es of the militarv and ]iolitical history 
of Miclh-an, was horn in Lima, I -ivinj^ston 
couiitv, Xew Nork, June 14. iS.:io, and wheti hut 
six vears of a.^e was taken hy his jiarents to Liv- 
ingston county, Michigan, the family home being 
established in (ireen Oak township, where he at- 
tended the district schools. In 1840, he came to 
Ann \rhor, where he sjient one year as a student, 
and after si)ending the following year at West 
Bkx>mtield, rettirned to Ann .\rbor, continuing in 
school milil fifteen vears of age, when he luit 
aside his te.\t-books to become a factor in com- 
mercial circles, entering the general store of J. II. 
I.nnd. with whom he remained tnitil 1841). lie 
then became an employe of F. J. B. Crane & Com- 
pany, at Ann .\rbor, with whom he continued un- 
til 1851, when, realizing the value of education, 
he resumed his studies in the Rufus Nutting 
.Academy, at Lodi Plains. Michigan, He there 
prepared to enter college but in 1852 he went in- 
stead to California, where he remained until 1857. 
In the latter year he returned to Green Oak, 
Michigan, and made investment of his capital in 
flour and saw mills, which he operated until 1866. 

In the meantime, however, Colonel Dean gave 
proof of his patriotism and loyalty by active serv- 
ice in the Civil war. He enlisted in Company H, 
Twenty-second jNIichigan A'olunteer Infantry. and 
w-as mustered in as second lieutenant, July j8. 
1862: was commissioned captain on the 31st of 
July, and mustered .August 22, 1862. He w-as 
discharged to accept promotion August 24. 1862: 



commissioned major jainiaiy 5, 18O3; and nuis- 
tereil January 7, i8()3. lie was made assistant 
inspector general on the staff of Llrigadier Gen- 
eral R. S. tiranger in June. 1863: discharged to 
accept promotion lune 1(1, i8')4; comniissioned 
lieutenant colonel to date June 7, 1864; mustered 
July 17, i8()4; anil nmstered out at .Nashville, 
Tennessee, June 26. 1865. Colonel Dean was 
gr.anted .a thirty days' leave of absence in Octo- 
ber, iS()4, and while in Detroit saw a notice that 
( ieneral Steedman had been ordered from Chat- 
tanooga to Nashville, Tennessee. Supposing that 
the Twetity-second Infantry would march with 
him. ( 'olonel I )e.in started at once lor Xasluille 
and airi\i'd with eii;lit ila\s' une\|)ired leave of 
alisenee in his ]iocket and rejiorted to (ieneral 
I lioiiias, who called the Ldlonel's attention to his 
leave, not yet expired, but the Colonel said he was 
there for duty and .asked what he should do. 
I ieneral Thomas told him to rejiort t<i General 
."^teedman. who was on the extreme front. Colonel 
Dean did so and served on the General's staff 
during the memorable two days' battle of Nash- 
ville, taking ]iart in the most desperate conflicts 
waged on the field. 

On the 12th of July, 1865, Colonel Dean again 
reached Ann Arbor, lie had made a nnlitary 
record of which he had every reason to be proud 
and his course reflected credit ni)on the cause 
w hieli he re|iresented. Taking up the pursuits of 
civil life, he returned to his mills, which he oper- 
ated until i8(VS, when he disposed of the ])ro|)erty 
and became a member of the firm of Dean & 
Company at .Ann .\rbor, pro])rietors of a general 
store, which is still conducted under that name. 
The business has developed with the growth of 
the cit\' and conducted along modern lines is in- 
dicative of the enterprise and energy of the owner, 
whose position in commercial circles is alike cred- 
itable and honorable to himself and his city. In 
connection with mercantile interests he is presi- 
dent of the Michigan Milling Company and also 
president of the Forest Hill Cemetery Company. 

Colonel Dean has also figured prominently in 
republican circles. \\'hile in Livingston county he 
served as justice of the peace and he was a mem- 
ber of the state prison board for many years. .Vt 
one time he served as postmaster and supervisor 





iyniyuA, 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



43 



III" Aim Arhiir. anil trnin (iovcrnur Rich received 
the a]jpi)iiitment to the position of regent of the 
University of Michis^an to fill the vacancy caused 
1)\ the death of Henry Howard. After serving 
for four years he was then elected on the repub- 
lican ticket by a large majority for a full term of 
eight years. He has also been a member of the 
board of directors of the Ann Arbor School of 
Music and his influence and efforts have been an 
effective force in promoting educational progress 
as well as political advancement in his state. He 
is well known in a number of military organiza- 
tions, including the Loyal Legion of the L'nited 
States, of which lie is past commander of the 
coniniandery of the state of Michigan. He is a 
member of the Sons of the American Revolution 
and the (irand .\rmy of the Re]niblic, being past 
commander of his post and past commander of 
the department of Michigan, (1. .\. R. He is 
also connected with the American Historical As- 
sociation. 

On the 24th of .August, 1865. Colonel Dean was 
united in marriage to Miss Delia Brown Cook, 
and the\ have one daughter, Elizabeth Whetten 
Dean. Such in brief is the life historv of one of 
Ann .\rl)or"s representative men. In whatever 
relation we find him, in the government service, in 
business or social life, he is always the same hon- 
orable and honored gentleman, whose worth well 
merits the high regard which is uniformlv given 
him. 



WILLLAIM G. DOTY. 

The ancestry of William G. Doty, both lineal 
and collateral, through many generations is dis- 
tinctively American and can be traced back to the 
time of the arrival of the Mayflower in Plymouth 
harbor. Edward Doty, the first of the name of 
whom record is obtainable, was born in 1599, and 
as one of the passengers on the historic Mayflower 
landed on the Massachusetts coast in 1620. He 
was married in Plymouth to Miss Faith Clark, 
a daughter of Richard Clark, with whom she was 
also a passenger on the memorable voyage that 
brought the first settlers to the shores of New 
England. The Doty and Clark families were 
3 



among the founders of the Plymouth colony and 
aided in planting the seeds of civilization in the 
new world. I'nto Edward and Faith (Clark) 
Doty were Ixirn nine children, six sons and three 
daughters. This nmnber included Edward Doty 
f2d), who.se birth occurred in Plymouth in tC^t,/. 
He married, February 5. 1663, Miss Sarah 
Faunce. He was a mariner, and with his eldest 
son was drowned during a storm in I'lvmouth 
harbor, February 8, 1690. The next in the line 
of direct descent to our subject was Cajjtain 
Samuel Doty, also a mariner, who likewise fol- 
lowed merchandising and farming. He was born 
at Plymouth. .May 17, 1681, and was married at 
Saybrook, Connecticut, December 3, 1706, to .Anne 
Piuckingham. He became a man of wealth and 
distinction, exerting much influence in molding 
the early policy of the colony. He died January 
26, 1750. His son, who also bore the name of 
Samuel Doty, was born in .^aybrook, Connecticut. 
June 17, 1712, and was a graduate of Yale Col- 
lege of the class of 1735. He was married April 
.Si 1733- to -Marjoric Parker, followed the occu- 
pation of farming as a life work and died at Deep 
River, Connecticut, December 16, 1751. His son. 
Samuel Doty, great-great-grandfather of William 
G. Doty, was born at Saybrook, Connecticut, in 
1736, and was married there about 1758 to his 
cousin, Mercy, a daughter of Benjamin Dotv. 
.'subsequently he removed to Stephentown, New 
York. He served as a Revolutionary soldier, be- 
coming an officer in the Ainerican army. John 
Doty, the great-grandfather, was born at Say- 
brook, Connecticut, October 26, 1761. and also 
espoused the cause of the colonists in the Revolu- 
tionary war, aiding loyally in the cause of inde- 
[sendence. He was a farmer by occupation, fol- 
lowing that pursuit at Stephentown, New York. 
He was married to Eunice Adams, Mav 22, 1785. 
and he died November 26, 1840. 

Hon. Samuel Doty, the grandfather, was 
born in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, New 
A'ork, May 10, 1795, and in 1815 was married 
to Miss Polly Sanford. He came to Ann Arbor 
in 1834 and was a prominent figure in the early 
history of this portion of the state. He served 
as a member of the legislature of Michigan in 
1838 and the following year he removed to Man- 



44 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Chester. His death occurred in Tecumseh, Miclii- 
gan, September 3, 1878. 

George Washington Dotw father of \\'illiam G. 
Doty, was born at Lockport, New York, Novem- 
ber 24, 1825, and was therefore but nine years of 
age when brought by his parents to Michigan in 
1834. In later years he was engaged in mer- 
chandising and he was also postmaster of Man- 
chester during the second administration of Presi- 
dent Cleveland. For a number of years he has 
lived retired from business life, his former activ- 
ity being crowned with a period of rest and ease 
in which he makes his home in Aim Arbor. He 
was married February 12, 185 1, to Rhoba Jane 
ISrown, a daughter of William M. and Laura E. 
(Wheeler) Brown, and in September, 1890, they 
took up their alxjde in this city, where they are 
now well known and honored citizens. 

William G. Dotv is the onl\- survivor of the two 
childreu ot his father's family and was born at 
Manchester, ]\Iichigan, on the 6th of September, 
1852. His early education was acquired in the 
public schools, where he continued his studies un- 
til he had completed the high-school course by 
graduation with the class of 1 87 1. He then be- 
came a student in the L'uiversity of Michigan and 
completed the literary covu'se by graduation, in 
1875. at which time the degree of Bachelor of Arts 
was conferred upon him. The following year he 
came to Ann Arbor and entered upon the prac- 
tice of law in this city, where he has made for 
himself an enviable reputation as a leading attor- 
ney. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the 
principles of jurisprudence and has been con- 
nected with much important litigation tried in 
the courts of his district. He was register of 
probate from the ist of January, 1877, until the 
1st of January, 1897, covering a period of twenty 
consecutive years and since 1899 he has been jus- 
tice of the peace, filling the position at this writing 
for the second term. In 1891 he was called to the 
mayoralty of Ann Arbor, his capable administra- 
tion being followed by a re-election that continued 
him in the office for two years or until 1893. He 
is recognized as one of the leading workers in 
the ranks of the democracy and his public service 
has been most commendable, being characterized 
by unfaltering devotion to the general good. 



On the 26th of June, 1877, in Homer, Michi- 
gan, Mr. Doty was married to Miss Kate West- 
cott, a native of Perrysburg, Ohio, born July 2t,. 
1853. Her parents were Josiah N. and Sophronia 
(Willard) Westcott. Her father, born January 8, 
1810, died in 1885, while her mother, who was 
born September 30, 1810, passed away in 1883. 
Judge and JMrs. Doty have one son, Ralph West- 
cott, who was born in Ann Arbor, August 5, 
1886. 

Mr. Doty is one of the prominent Masons of 
Michigan and in 1890 and 1891 was grand com- 
mander of the Knight Templars of the state. He 
has likewise held various offices in Ann Arbor 
commandery and is in full sympathy with the 
teachings and tents of the craft. One of the dis- 
tinguishing traits of his ancestry — a loyal and 
patriotic citizenship — finds exemplification in his 
own life record. 



HON. ANDREW JACKSON S.WA'YER. 

Andrew Jackson Saw_\'er, lawyer and legisla- 
tor, living in .Ann Arbor, is a native of the Em- 
pire state. He was born on the i8th of Novem- 
ber, 1834, his parents being Abraham and Poll\' 
(Phillips) Sawyer, both natives of New York. 
His paternal grandfather was John Sawyer, the 
blind Baptist preacher, of whom Horace Greeley 
made such favorable mention. In New York 
Abraham Sawyer carried on merchandising, and 
also conducted a wagonmaking and blacksmith 
shop. In township affairs he was active and in- 
fluential and held various offices of public trust 
and responsibility. He subsequently came to 
Michigan to make his home with his son Andrew 
J., and here he died at the age of seventy-two 
vears, while his wife departed this life at the age 
of ninety-two years, the remains of both being 
interred at Chelsea, Michigan. Of their seven 
children two sons also died in this state. 

Andrew J. Sawyer, born in Mottsville, New 
York, resided there until eleven years of age. 
when he accompanied his parents on their re- 
moval to Caton, New York, in which place he 
spent the succeeding six years of his life under 




A. T. SAWYER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



47 



tlic parental root. He then started ont in tlvj 
world on his own account, dividing- his time be- 
tween attending school and teaching-. I le came 
to Michigan in 1857, and the following year was 
married to Miss Lucy Skinner, a native of New 
York, and a daughter of Samuel C. and Hulda 
( Howell) Skinner. They have become the par- 
ents of five children, but only three are living: 
l'"red. Lorenzo and Andrew J. The eldest son, 
(now following insurance and real e.state busi- 
ness at Ann Arbor), married .Mice ( ). Derby and 
has a daughter. Grace W. Andrew J., Jr.. his 
father's partner and now prosecuting attorne\- ot 
the county, married Lulu Rose and has two chil- 
dren. Irene Hope and Richard Watkins. 

( )n coming to Michigan, Mr. Sawyer located 
in Mason, Ingham county, where he engaged in 
teaching school. He also entered upon the study 
of law at that place under the direction of O. AI. 
liarnes and H. L. Henderson, both now deceased, 
ami when his ])reliminary reading had equipped 
liim for examination he was admitted to the bar 
in i860, and entered upon practice in Chelsea, 
Washtenaw count)-. There he remained until 
187;;, when he removed to Ann Arbor, here form- 
ing a partnership with Judge Edwin Lawrence, 
with wlio)n he was associated in practice for a 
year. In 1877 he entered into partnership with 
I'rofessor J. C. Knowlton. which connection con- 
tinued for eleven years with nuitual harmnnv, 
pleasure and profit. They had a large and im- 
|)"rtant clientage and the records indicate that 
the)- were associated with the leading law cases 
trii-d in the courts of the district. In 1890, when 
his Son, .-\. J. Saw\-er, Jr., had graduated fnmi the 
Cniversity of Michigan, Mr. Sawyer of this re- 
view admitted hii-n to a jjartnershi]), and the firm 
of .Sawyer & Son has since had a continuous e.x- 
istence. During the years of his practice here 
Mr. Sawyer has been called into every judicial 
district in the state and into adjcHuing states. He 
spent two months in the famous electric sugar case 
in .\ew York city, which involved several million 
dollars, (his opiionent being the present Dis- 
trict .\ttorney Jerome 1. He is one of the learned 
lawyers of the Washtenaw ccmnty bar, having 
a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of 
iuris])rudence in its various departments. His 



devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial, yet 
he never forgets that he owes a higher allegiance 
to the majesty of the law. In his practice he 
shows careful [ireparation and painstaking care 
in the ]5resentation of his cause, giving due promi- 
nence to every point. )'et never losing sight of 
the important point upon which the decision of 
every case finall)- turns. 

Since age gave him the right (if franchise Mr. 
Sawyer has been active and influential in local po- 
litical circles and in fact his influence has extended 
to other sections of the state. His opinions carry 
weight in the councils of his party and he is a 
leading republican of Michigan. He has served 
in various offices of trust in Ann Arbor, was city 
attornc)-. and for three terms represented his dis- 
trict in the state legislature, being elected 
in 1877, 1871) and i8i;7. He was an active 
working member of the hduse. interested 
in Constructive legislation, and introduced 
a bill for the establishrnent of a home 
for wa) ward girls, which resulted in the indus- 
trial school for girls at Adrian. He was als<i the 
author of the present mode of drawing jurors in 
this state and the author of the law permitting 
children who were born clefornied ti 1 be sent to 
the Universit}' of Michigan t(j be (/].)eraled on 
without expense to the parents, also the law- ])er- 
mitting w-ater to be sent there for analysis from 
au\ district where a contagious disease had 
broken out, also the law- which provided foi- send- 
ing to the iuiiversit\- the bodies of those who died 
without friends and whose btirials were a charge 
to the |)ul)lic. Mr. Sawver w-as chairman of the 
judiciar)- committee during his last two terms and 
was a member of the same committee the Urst 
term. During his incumhenc)- no statute 
ever passed the committee that was declared un- 
constitutional. 

Sii-ice 1860 Mr, Sawyer has been a member of 
the iMasonic fraternity, was one of the organizers 
of the lodge at Chelsea and is one of its past mas- 
ters. He is likewise interested in lodge work in 
.-\nn .\rl)or but holds no oflice here. He is also a 
Maccabee and an Elk. He has kept abreast with 
n-iodern thought and is interested in the great so- 
cial, economic and political problems of the day, 
while in his profession he has displayed that con- 



48 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



centration of purpose and ready adaptability of 
legal principles to the point at issue witliout which 
there is no success in the legal fraternity. 



EDWARD B. GIBSON. M. D. 

Dr. Edward B. Gibson, a leading ])hysician of 
Washtenaw county, who is also the owner of a 
fine fann on section ii, Pittsfield township, where 
in connection with general agricultural i)ursuits 
he is carrying on the dairy business, was born in 
Toronto, Canada, December 12, 1845. His par- 
ents were Thomas and Ellen (Branford) Gib- 
son. The father was born in Ireland in 1810, auil 
in 1837 came to America, landing at New York. 
After some time spent in Illinois and Michigan 
he eventually went to Toronto, Canada, where he 
was married in 1845 and has since made his 
home. By trade he was a carpenter. He married 
Miss Ellen Branford, wdiose parents never came 
to America. Their children were : Edward B., 
of this review ; Mary, the wife of Ed Blackstone, 
of Toronto, by whom she has one child ; Thomas 
F., of Chicago, who has three living children ; 
Margaret, the wife of Thomas Graves, of To- 
ronto; Ellen, the wife of Joseph Clark, of To- 
ronto, by whom she had one child : and Robert 
J., who died seven years ago. 

Dr. Gibson acquired a good hterary education. 
which was completed by a high-school course 
and after coming to Ann .Vrbor he entered the 
medical department of the state university, from 
which he was graduated with the class of 1887. 
The same year he was married on the 4th of 
July to Miss Anna E. McDonald, who was born 
in Macomb county, Michigan, August 12, 1834, 
and is a daughter of Theodore McDonald, whose 
birth occurred in Trenton, New Jersey, while his 
wife was a native of Rochester, New York. Dr. 
and Mrs. Gibson have become the parents of six 
children, namely : Theodore, born in 1888 ; Helen 
E., born in 1889: Deborah McDonald, in 1891 : 
Florence, in 1893; Edward, in 1895, and Anna, 
in 1897. 

Dr. Gibson located for practice in Huron 
county, Michigan, where he lived for ten vears 



before bu_\'ing land in Waslitenaw county. He is 
now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred 
and ninety-four acres, the land being rich and pro- 
ductive. This is devoted to general agricultural 
pursuits and good crops are annually harvested 
there. He also makes a specialty of the dairy 
business, selling cream to retailers, and he keeps 
a fine herd of cows. In addition to his agricul- 
tural interests he continues in the practice of his 
profession and is accorded a liberal patronage. 
His religious faith is indicated by his member- 
ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. Politi- 
cally he is a republican, having been justice of 
the peace for many years and also health officer of 
his township. Socially he is connected with Cass 
lodge at Port Austin and he likewise belongs to 
Washtenaw chapter. P. .\. M.. in Ann Arbor. 
His life has been well silent, and in professional 
and agricultural circles he has won a good name 
and gained a fair measure of success. 



.MARTIX J. CAVANAUGH. 

Martin J. Cavanaugh, a leading member of the 
Washtenaw county bar. enjoying a distinctively 
representative clientage, was born in Manchester, 
Michigan, in T865, his parents being Mathew and 
Mar}- (Dealy) Cavanaugh, both of whom were 
natives of Ireland. The father came to Michigan 
in early life and eventually took up his abode at 
^Manchester, settling on a farm, where he contin- 
ued to make his home until his death, which oc- 
curred March 17, 1891, when he was fifty-eight 
years of age. His widow still survives him and 
is now living in Scio township. In their family 
were six children, of whom five are living: Mar- 
tin J. ; Thomas J., who is a graduate of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan of the law class of 1892, and 
is now engaged in the practice of his profession 
at Paw Paw, this state; James S., a farmer; Mrs. 
Margaret Poole, and Mrs. Ellen Downer. 

Martin J. Cavanaugh mastered the elementary 
branches of learning in the common schools of 
Sharon township, and continued his studies in 
the high school at Manchester, where he was 
graduated with the class of 1883. His more spe- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



49 



cific education was acquired in the University of 
^Michigan, and he was graduated from the Hterary 
department with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 
1887. The same year he was admitted to the 
bar, having devoted considerable time to the mas- 
tery of the principles of jurisprudence, and he 
entered upon the practice of his chosen profession 
in Chelsea, where he remained for a year as a 
partner of 'SI. ]. Leaman. He then came to Ann 
Arbor, where he has since practiced with much 
success, being regarded as one of the leading law- 
yers of the city. He is careful and painstaking 
in the preparation of his cases, logical in argu- 
ment, forceful in the presentation of his case be- 
fore court or jury and clear and concise in his 
appeals. In 1896 he admitted William W. Wede- 
meyer to a partnership under the firm style of 
Cavanaugh & Wedemeyer. and this relation has 
since been maintained. 

Mr. Cavanaugh is also well known as a leader 
in political circles and public life in his adopted 
city. We was school commissioner of the public 
schonls of Washtenaw coiuity from 1889 until 
1893, and is now president of the Ann Arbor 
board of education, the cause of education finding 
in him a stalwart supporter through his effective 
championship of measures for the general good. 

On the 6th of November. 1889, Martin J. Cava- 
naugh was married to Miss IMary C. Seery. and 
they have four children : Stella, Ralph, Camillia 
and Ruth. Because of a social, genial nature and 
deference for the opinions of others, Mr. Cava- 
naugh is a popular citizen, while by reason of his 
thorough equipment and devotion to his profes- 
sion he has gained prominence at the bar. where 
advancement depends solely upon individual merit 
and capability. 



JAMES R. BACH. 



James R. Bach, whose judgment and enter- 
prise have proven important factors in the suc- 
cessful conduct of leading business interests in 
Ann Arbor, was born in this city. September 7, 
1859. His father, Philip Bach, a native of Baden, 
Germany, came to the new world in 1833, and 



remained for about a year a resident of Pennsyl- 
vania, whence in 1834 he removed to Ann Arbor. 
He was one of the pioneer merchants of the city, 
establishing and conducting a store ii, days when 
the inhabitants here were few and w'neii business 
development had made little progress. He mar- 
ried Miss Hanna J. Polhemus and the\ l^ecame 
the parents of one daughter, Hanna J., now the 
wife of James D. Warner, of Cincinnati, Ohio. 
For his second wife Philip Bach chose Nanc)- L. 
Royce. of this city, and unto them were born four 
children: Mary B.. who is now living in Can- 
ada ; James R. ; Philip, a resident of Bakersfield, 
California ; and Rudolph, deceased. 

Reared under the parental roof James R. Bach 
acquired his education in successive grades of the 
Ann Arbor primary, grammar and high schools, 
wherein he continued his studies until 1878 and 
then, putting aside his text-books, he entered busi- 
ness life, where he lias won a creditable name and 
position. He is now the secretary and treasurer 
of the City Ice Company of Ann Arbor and to 
other fields of activity has extended his efforts, 
being likewise secretary of the Rettich Building 
Association. He is also v^-ell known as an ex- 
tensive real-estate dealer, handling both improved 
and unimproved property, and he represents a 
number of old nnd reliable insurance companies, 
having an extensive clientage in both the real-es- 
tate and insurance business. He has studied the 
needs and possibilities of his city in relation to its 
material improvement and his eft'orts in the field 
of real-estate operations have proven of benefit to 
Ann Arbor as well as the source of srratifvins in- 
come to himself. Success in any walk of life is an 
indication of earnest endeavor and persevering ef- 
fort — characteristics that Mr. Bach jjossesses in 
an eminent degree. 

In 1880 Mr. Bach was married to Miss Blanche 
!•".. Tremain and they had one daughter, Lois, who 
is now living in Seattle, Washington. In 1891 Mr. 
Bach married his present wife, whose maiden 
name was Martha M. Drake. In Masonic circles 
he has attained the Knight Templar degree and 
is a past commander of Ann Arbor commandery 
He is likewise a past exalted ruler of the Benevo- 
lent and Protective Order of Elks and his reli- 
gious faith is indicated by his membership in the 



50 



PAST AND l'kl<:SI':NT OF WASIITF.NAW ColXTY. 



I'.liisi-npal cliurcli, A (Iniiociat in lii> |ii>lilical 
al'lilialiiin, lu- was rlrctt'd (in tlial lickrl llir lirst 
citx ck'rk n\ Aim Ai'lior and liis irUcTi.'sl in llir 
])ul)lic wrllaic has hccn maniffsl in taiif^iliic cn- 
opiTaliiin fur llio iL^cnoral ^'oikI alnnt^" nian\ lines 
of progress and ini])rovc'nK'nl. His ac(|uaintanee 
is vvi(k'. liis circk' of friends almost e(|nally so. 
for liis salient eliaraeteristics are siieli as ,L;ain 
lii^li .md favorable ref^ard. In all his varied rela- 
imns in hnsiness affairs and in soeial life he has 
inainlainecl a repntation and slan<ling thai ha\e 
impressed all with his sineert' and nianh pnrpose 
to do h\ others as he wonld have them do 1)\ him. 



DAXlF.r. L. OUTRK. 

1 )aiiiel 1 .aee (Jnirk. president of the k'irsl Xa- 
lional hank, and pn.'sidenl of the I'eninsnlar Pa- 
per eompan\ . who t;et ,!.;ives eonsiderahle per- 
sonal attention to business enter])rises, althon.^ii 
he has ])assed the ei.ijilty-seventh mileslont' of 
lift''s jonrne)'. has ]>rv\) one of the leadin.i; promot- 
ers of the varied and impnrlani enterprises, indus- 
trial, eommei'eial and tnianei.il, whieh have re- 
suIIimI in the presi'iU j.;rowlh and |iros]ieri(\' of 
the eil \ and moreover is enlilled to honor and 
distinction because of his successful accomi^lish- 
mi'nts in hnsiness lines elsewhere in the state and 
nation. In fact so far-reaching' and beneficial 
have been his laboi-s that lu' can not lie said to be- 
Ioul; to an\ one community, althonsii 'N'psilanii 
points with ]iride lo him as one of her citizens. 

liis life record be^an on the i stii da\ of jnni', 
iSiX. at the country ])lace of I'.allachrink, near 
I'eel, on the Lsle of Alan. This was the ances- 
ir.d home of the family thronuii man\- genera- 
lions. It was the |)ro]ierty of John AlcOuirk in 
1315. of John (Juirk in idoo. of a second John 
Onirk in \J02. of lialn (Juirk in ijio. The last 
named was tile heiress of John (juirk and m.ar- 
ried Thomas Cottier. r.allachriiik came into 
possession of Fleanor (.'ottitr in I7<l4. and she 
married I'hil Ouirk. flieir son. Hugh Quirk, 
succeeded to the pro])erty in 1826 and later sold 
it to t'acsar C'orris. an<l in iSijj j. t'. ('orris, a 



.grandson of Caesar (^'orris. sold tin- ])ro|)ert\ to a 
Mr. Xowall. of Douglas, Isle of Man. 

Hugh (Juirk, father of Daniel I.. (Juirk. was 
an only son and liecame a farmer and vessel 
owner. He married .Miss Ann 1 .aci-. a niece of a 
deemsler of the island, and her f;ither was an 
F.piscopal clergAinan. llie famiK numbered 
twelve children, namely: John. William. I'A'an, 
James, Dan who dii-d in infanc\, Fleanor. Dan, 
I'liilh]!, .Matthew, riioinas. (ieorge, and one still- 
horn. .\s stated above, llu.gh (Jnirk in iSjj sold 
the famil\ homesteail, Uallachrink, and emigrated 
to .\nu-rica, settling in Rochester, .Monroe cotintv. 
Xew "N'ork. where he took np the business of con- 
tracting. Later he mo\'ed to a farm iK'.ar Hen- 
rietta, in the county of .Monroe. Xew ^'ork. where 
he li\ed until iS.^S. Hater Daniel L. (jnirk was 
a])prentieed to le;irn the trade of a carjtenter and 
joiner and lollowt-d that pursuit for several \ears. 
\\ liik' thus eng.aged he was in the eni]ilov of 
I'itcli llill, :ind with him wi-nt to Ann Arbor. 
.Michi.gan. the name thus becoming established in 
Washtenaw connly. k'or several years Daniel L. 
(jnirk was comiecled with building operations in 
.\nn .\rbor and l.odi. In 1S47 he removed to 
lielleville. \\;i\iU' eountv, Michigan, lia\ing j)nr- 
eliased a saw and grist mill, a cooper and black- 
smith sho]) and the one st<ire of that pilace. He 
carried on business successfulK until iS,S4. when 
he disposed of his interests at Llelleville. From 
1<S52 until 1S54 he occupied the office of auditor 
of Wavne connt\ and served as ]iostmaster at 
llelleville under the administration of k'ranklin 
Pierce. \\ hen chosen for the ])osition of county 
auditor, he ran fourteen hundred \-otes ahead of 
the democratic ticket — a splendid testimonial of 
his |)ersonal po|)ularity and the confidence re- 
posed in his business integril\' li\ the general 
|)nblie. 

In 1S53. Mr. Quirk stopped at Detroit, where 
he uK't David Stewart, then a member of con- 
gress, and together they went to Chicago. While 
there he formed the acquaintance of James I". 
]n\, who at that time was largely interested in 
railroads and was jiresident of the Chicago, llur- 
lington & (Juincy Railroad, at that lime built as 
far as .\urora. Tllinois, and j^irojected to liurling- 
ton, Iow;i. Mr. (jnirk was em])lo\ed to oversee 




^ J .J2^^a/^ 




RESIDEK'CE ()!• D. L. OLIKK. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



oi 



the building: of the extension at a salary of fifteen 
hundred dollars a year, but there was consider- 
able delay and while waitinq^ for the work to 
commence he occupied his time in buying and 
selling live stock and grain. Finally he was re- 
leased from his contract with the railroad com- 
pany, and in 1855 removed to Lyons, Iowa, 
where for thirty-five hundred dollars he pur- 
chased a hotel that he managed for eleven months 
and then sold for eleven thousand dollars. In 
1855 he became a resident of .Sterling, Illinois, 
where he purchased a lumber yard and built a 
warehouse, and he also erected warehouses at 
Morrison and Round Grove. From that time un- 
til 1859, when he removed to Chicago, he was in 
the grain commission business. In the latter city 
he became associated with Asa Dow under the 
firm name of Dow, Quirk & Company, with his 
home at the corner of Pine and lllinciis streets. 
He continued a resident of Chicago until the 
spring of i860, when he removed to Ypsilanti in 
order to offer his children better educational priv- 
ileges. 

Recognizing business o])ortunities in this cit^•, 
Mr, Quirk, on the 25th day of November, 1863, 
joined with others in organizing the First Na- 
tional Bank, of which .\sa Dow became presi- 
dent and Benjamin FoUett cashier. On the 13th 
of January. 1885. I\Ir. Quirk succeeded to the 
presidency and has since been in that position. 
He is notable as one of the oldest bankers of the 
state. The First National Bank was originally 
conducted as the private banking house of Fol- 
lett. Conklin & Company. In 1863 Mr. Conklin 
withdrew and Mr. Follett decided to transform 
the private concern into a national liank and in- 
terested Mr. Quirk and Mr. Dow in the enter- 
prise. This was the first bank incorporated in 
Washtenaw county, being organized November 
25, 1863, and the original stockholders were Ben- 
jamin Follett, Robert W. Hemphill, Daniel L. 
Quirk, Cornelius Cornwell and Asa Dow. The 
institution was capitalized for fifty thousand dol- 
lars and these gentlemen con.stitutcd the first 
board of directors. On the 15th of December. 
1863, Mr. Dow was elected president, Mr. Quirk 
vice president and Mr. Follett cashier. .\ few- 
days later the capital stock was increased to sixtv- 



two thousand five hundred dollars, and the greater 
part of the increase was taken by Isaac M. Conklin. 
Following the death of Mr. Follett, Mr, Conklin 
was chosen cashier, January 10, 1865, He was 
the strongest financial man of the county in that 
day and took just pride in making a strong bank. 
Soon after the capital was increased seventy-five 
thousand dollars. From time to time changes in 
the offices occurred, the personnel of the manage- 
ment today being a's follows : Daniel L. Quirk, 
president : Charles E. King, vice-president ; D. L. 
Quirk, Jr., cashier, and F. L. Gallup, assistant 
cashier. The first two are on the board of direc- 
tors, together with C. S. Wortley, T. W. Mc- 
Andrew and D. C. Griffin. The bank has had a 
continuous and prosperous existence for forty- 
two years. Its management has been conserva- 
tive and it has paid its stockholders a handsome 
total of three hundrefl and sixty-nine thousand 
tw(T hundred and fifty dollars in dividends. Its 
growth has lieen steady and healthful and it has 
weathered the financial storms which have swept 
over the countrw In the spring of 1005 a new 
bank building was erected, which is the finest bus- 
iness structure of the city. 

The First National Bank does not alone repre- 
sent the investment of Mr, Quirk in the business 
enterprises of Ypsilanti. In connection with Asa 
Dow, I. N. Conklin, Cornelius Cornwell and R. 
W. Hemphill, he organized in 1865 the Ypsilanti 
Woolen Manufacturing Company, which firm 
was later succeeded by the Hay & Todd Company 
and more recently by the Ypsilanti Underwear 
Company. This has become one of the great pro- 
ductive industries of the city, and has made Ypsi- 
lanti famed throughout the country. On the 3d 
of April, 1867, in connection with others, Mr. 
Quirk assisted in organizing the Peninsular Pa- 
per Company, and has always been one of its 
stockholders. Julv 7, 1887, he was chosen presi- 
dent, and has remained at its head ever since. 
It is well known that these various institutions 
have been a most important factor in the com- 
mercial prosperity, growth and development of 
the city. These alone, however, do not represent 
the extent of the activity and business efforts of 
Quirk, who in 1868, in connection with others, 
built a packing house at the Union .Stock Yards 



56 



PAST AM) PRESENT OF WASHTENAW CXJUNTY. 



ill t.'liicaf^o. Ill 1870-71 lit- was associated with 
lames l". Jov and others in the liiiihHng' of tiie 
I lillsdale Railroad, sixty-(Jiic miles from Ypsi- 
laiiti to 1 lillsdale. In 1871-72 with the same par- 
ties he hnilt the Eel River Railroail. a distance of 
ninety-four miles. In 1874 1k' went to Chicago 
and joined the packing firm kiinwn as the 1!. F. 
.\liirph\ Packing Compan\. with which he con- 
tinued for about two years, when a consolidation 
of several iKicking houses was etTected and .Mr. 
Ouirk became general manager of the comliine 
at the vards. He retainefl his connection there- 
with until in tlie \-ear 1880. when he went to East 
St. Louis, llliiinis. where he bi-came jiresident 
;md general manager of the l"'ast .St. Louis Pack- 
ing iS; Provision Com])aii\-, which was continued 
for about five years, when the business was closed 
out. 

( )n the 5th of September, 1843, .Mr. (Juirk was 
married to Miss Nancy Scott, and on the loth of 
April, 1850, their daughter Xancy was born. ( )n 
the 1st of .M;i\, of the same year, the mother 
(lie(|, and on ihe I'ltli of .Vovember, 1852, Mr. 
(Juirk married I'riscilla l-rain. Their children 
are: Lizzie, liorn in Sterling, Illinois, .\ugust 31. 
1855; Jennie, born in Chicago, December 3. 
l85(; ; and U. L. (Juirk, jr.. born in \'|isilanti. 
Eeliruary 2'i, 1871. 

Mr. (Juirk has now reached llu' advanced age 
of eiglit\ -seven years, and his has been a notable 
career for he has worked his wav upward from 
an obscure position to one of eminence in the 
commnnil\ where he has so long resided, while 
his ii;imc h;is likewise become known throughout 
the eoimlr\ in connection with extensive business 
o|ierations. lb' belongs to the true t\pe of the 
.\ngl'i-Saxon race, and of those men who build 
cities and la\- foundation of the commoiiwealtli. 
Mis integril\ h;is ever been abo\c (|uesli(in. his 
honor irreproachable, and these combined with a 
clear, sound judgment have made the |)eo]ile rely 
upon him and follow his leaderslii]!. In seeking 
the causes which h;i\e contributed to his .success, 
we find tlu'in iioi so much in their rarety as in 
their hannonious niiinn. .and the\ ma\' lie briert\ 
summed up by saying, he has the manners of a 
gentleman and the habits of ;i man of business — 
a coni])inatioii of (|nalities that are hound to |)ro- 



duce the higher results. It is no ver\- rare thing 
for a bo\' in our countr\' to become a ])rosperous 
man and occupy a commanding position in the 
business wurld. but manv who have fought their 
way from ])o\'ert\' to wealth, from obscurity to 
prominence, retain some marks and scars of the 
conflict. They are apt to be narrow and gras])- 
ing, even if not sordid and unseru])ulous. .Mr. 
(Juirk, however, is an instance of a ni;m whu has 
achieved success without jiaying the price at 
w liich it is so often bought, for his |)rosperit\' has 
not removed him farther from his fellowmen but 
has brought him into nearer and more intimate 
relations to them. The more means he has had, 
the more he has done for those an mud him, aiul 
numbered among \'])silanti's most prominent citi- 
zens IS tins banker. 



K^HX HEINZMANX. 



Jiiliii I lcinzm;uiii, a reliable and representative 
business man of Ann .\rlior, wlmsc name is an 
honored ore on commercial ])aper, was born in 
(^"olrmbiana. Columbiana county, ( )hio, in 1847, 
ancl is of (rernrni lineage. His ]5areiits, Jacob 
and Christine ( Diittenhofifer ) Heinzmann, came 
from the fatherland to .America in i84r), and after 
a residence of some \ears in ( )hio removed to 
Michigan, in 1851, settling in .\nn .\rbor. Unto 
them were born eleven children, but only five are 
now li\ing, nannly: John; River, a resident of 
.\nn .Arbor: Christopher, who is located at Bay 
t"\t\. .Michigan; ^frs, Elizabeth P.rinner. of Ann 
,\rl)or: and Albert, who follows farming in Wy- 
oming. 

I'ecomiiig a resident of this cit\ when but five 
\ears of agt-, |ohn Heinzmann inirsued his edu- 
cation in the public schools here, and after put- 
ting aside Ills text-books, engaged in the 0|)cration 
of a tanner\ ;uid the conduct of a li\er\ business 
in 1868. Me thus figured in commercial and in- 
dustrial circles for a number of years, but in 1888 
turned his attention to the coal and wood business, 
in which he is engaged both as a wholesale and 
retail dealer, with offices and yards on West 
WashiiiLiton street. He is also engaged in the 



PAST AXn I'RESEXT OF WASHTEXAW COUNTY 



57 



wholesale flour, hide and seed business. A Hl)eral 
])atronage has been accorded him in recognition 
of business methods, which neither seek nor re- 
quire disguise, and the volume of his trade makes 
iiis investment a ver\' profitable one. 

In i!^77 occurred the marriage of Jnlm lleinz- 
mann and Miss AI. Barbara Weinier, 1)\ whom 
he had one son, John (i.. who is now engaged in 
Inisiness with his father. The wife and mother 
died in i88i, and Air. Heinzmann afterward mar- 
ried Helen W'eimer, by whom he has a daughter, 
Helen Clara, now- a student in the public schools 
of Ann Arbor. While undoubtedlv he is not 
without that honorable ambition which is so pow- 
erful and useful as an incentive to activity in 
public affairs, Mr. Heinzmann regards the pur- 
suits of private life as being in themselves abund- 
antly worthy of his best efforts, and in his busi- 
ness career his careful study of conditions, his 
pursuit of a definite plan of action and his strong 
purpose have been salient features in his success. 
He has nevertheless figured to some extent in 
political circles, and as the candidate of the re- 
I>ublican party was elected to the cit\- council as 
alderman ( 1882-1886), during wdiich time he 
gave tangil^le proof of his interest in the general 
welfare, by his co-operation in manv measure? 
for public good. 



WALTER S. RILRIE. 



.Among the enterprising and prosperous farm- 
ers of Washtenaw county is numlaered Walter S. 
liilbie, who resides in Ann Arbor townshi]) and 
was there born in 1859. He is descended from an 
old |-"nglisli family that was founded in England 
by ancestors who went to that country from 
Xormandy with William the Conqueror. Many 
representatives of the name have been English 
scpiires and the ancestral home was known as 
.Xormanton Hall. The ancestry can be traced 
back in direct line to William Bilbie, who was 
sherifif of Nottingham in the early part of the 
eighteenth century. He was the father of Rich- 
ard I'.ilbie, a gentleman farmer, who died in 1809. 
TTis liirtli had occurred at Normanton Hall in 



1736 and he was the last of the family to hold the 
ancestral estate, which was then lost in chancery. 
His son. John liilbie, was the grandfather of our 
subject. Walter S. Bilbie is a .son of Richard Bil- 
bie, whose birth occurred in Xottingham, Eng- 
land, in 1829 and who, after arriving at years of 
maturity, was married in that country to Miss 
.Mary A. Henry, wdio was likewise born in Eng- 
land but was of Scotcli descent. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject was a lace manufac- 
turer and the father worked at that business until 
1849, when thinking that he might have better 
opportunities in the new world he crossed the 
Atlantic to America. His father had previously 
visited this country and had purchased eighty 
acres of land in Ann Arbor township. \V^ashtenaw 
county, after which he returned to England. It 
was to this farm that Richard Bilbie made his way 
on coming to the I'nited States and there he lived 
for eight }'ears, after which he returned to Eng- 
land. It was during his visit to his na- 
tive country that he was married in 1858 
and with his bride he returned to the new world. 
He then purchased ninety acres of land on section 
9, Ann Arbor tow nship, where he has since made 
his home and is now li\-ing at a ripe old age. He 
carried on general farming for manv years and 
also had a fine orchard. In 1881 he added to his 
original purchase a tract of forty acres, so that his 
farm now comprises one hundred and thirty acres 
of land. This he has brought to a high state of 
cultivation and has become recognized as one of 
the prosperous and reliable fanners of the county, 
who owes his success to his own labors, while his 
life record proves the opportunities that are af- 
forded in America to young men of determination 
and energy. I^nto Mr. and Mrs. Bilbie were born 
two sons : Walter S. and Edward N. The latter, 
completing his education in Berlin under Profes- 
sor Saraut and Professor Wirth, is now a pro- 
fessor of music in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, being 
a teacher of the violin. 

^^'alter .S. Bilbie acquired his early education in 
the district schools and afterward continued his 
studies in the public schools of Ann Arbor. He 
remained upon the home farm until eig^hteen years 
of age, when he started out in life on his own ac- 
count, and later he spent the years 1887 and 1888 



58 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



in England. In 1884 he was married to Miss 
Kate A. Welling, a daughter of George H. Well- 
ing, of Albany, New York. He then took up his 
abode on the farm and has devoted his life to ag- 
ricultural pursuits, having had charge of the old 
homestead for twenty years. He carries on gen- 
eral farming and is als(3 engaged in the dairy busi- 
ness, keeping eighteen cows and selling the milk, 
to the wholesale trade. He has led a life of in- 
dustry and activity and by careful management 
and keen discernment has made the farm a good 
source of profit, carrying on his work in har- 
mony with the most advanced and modern ideas 
of agricultural development. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bilbie have been born three 
children but one died in infancy. The others are 
Richard and Laura B. In his political affiliation 
Mr. Bilbie is a democrat and on that ticket was 
elected supervisor in 1902 and has since been re- 
elected, so that he is serving for the third term. 
In 1891 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 
office and in 189 1-2 he served as road commis- 
sioner, while on the school board, he was modera- 
tor for several terms. In matters of citizenship 
he is public spirited and progressive, giving his 
allegiance to every movement and measure which 
he believes will benefit the communitv. 



ROSS GRANGER. 



Ross Granger, who for the second term is filling 
the office of citv clerk, was Iiorn in Ann Arbor 
in 1859. His father, Bradly F. Granger, was a 
native of New York and in early life came to 
Hillsdale, Michigan, where he read law, being la- 
ter admitted to practice at the state bar. He set- 
tled in Ann Arbor prior to 1858 and here prac- 
ticed his profession for a number of years, being 
recognized as one of the prominent lawyers of 
this city in the middle portion of the nineteenth 
centurv. He was elected and served for several 
terms as probate judge of Washtenaw county and 
in 1862 he was elected to represent his district in 
congress, taking an active interest in the questions 
which came up for settlement in the covmcil cham- 
bers of the nation. Returning to Ann Arbor, he 



resumed the private practice of law, in which he 
continued up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in 1882, when he was fifty-seven years of 
age. He was a strong and forceful advocate, a 
safe counselor and a learned legist, thoroughly in- 
formed on the principles of jurisprudence in many 
departments. He married Miss Susan A. Dela- 
mater, who was born in Syracuse, New York, and 
is still living in California. In their family were 
five children, of whom two are living, Ross and 
Sheldon, the latter a resident of Ypsilanti, Michi 
gan. 

Ross Granger, as a student in Ann Arbor, pur- 
sued his education in the public and high schools 
until he had completed a full course. Subse- 
quently he engaged in the carriage finishing busi- 
ness as a workman in the employ of \Valker 
Brothers, ])Ut in 1882 he Ijcgan teaching dancing 
and afterward g-ave his entire attention to that art. 
He established his school in the old Hangstorfer 
Hall on Main street, and later purchased Profes- 
sor Sheehan's dancing school on State street. In 
1891 he built his first residence and school on 
Maynard street. Granger's Academy, where he 
has continued successfully since. He has con- 
ducted a large number- of dancing classes, receiv- 
ing his patronage from the best citizens of Ann 
-Arbor, and through the conduct of his business 
interests he has contributed in large measure to 
the social pleasure of the youth. 

In politics Mr. Granger is a stalwart democrat, 
interested in the work of the party and in 1903 
he was elected citv clerk, in which position he 
is now serving for the second term. He has also 
been identified with military affairs, becoming a 
member of the Porter Zouaves in 1873. For a 
time he served as a drummer in Company B, First 
Infantry State Militia, and later as private, cor- 
poral, sergeant, lieuten^nf and. -captain of Com- 
pany A, Fj.rst Infantry ■ Michigan National 
Guards. He was captain of Company A, Thirty- 
first Michigan Volunteers in the Spanish-Ameri- 
can war and during three months service in Cuba 
was in command of the United States forces in 
and around Placetas, returning to the United 
States in l\Iay, 1899. He was elected major of 
the First Infantry on the 23d of February, 1900, 
and lieutenant colonel of the same regiment Janu- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



59 



arv 26, 1905. which position he is now liUing. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic or- 
der and is now captain general of Ann Arlxir 
Commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the 
Knights of the Maccabees and the Knights of 
Pythias, becoming a charter member of the latter 
organization in Ann Arbor. He is a man of fine 
personal appearance and military bearing, inter- 
ested in the progress of the state in this direction 
and is popnlar in military organizations. 

In 1882 Mr. Granger was married in Ann Ar- 
bor to Miss Matilda Hangstorfer, who was born 
in this city and is a daughter of Jacob Hangstor- 
fer. one of the early settlers of Washtenaw county. 
A daughter and two sons have been born of this 
union : Luella M., the wife of Fred Nerdlinger, 
of Philadelphia, and the mother of one son, Fred 
G. N.. whose birth occurred in that city ; and 
Bradly F. and Edward Ross, who are attending 
the Ann Arbor schools. 



FRANK H. KOEBBE. 

Frank H. Koebbe. supervisor of Freedom town- 
ship and an enterprising agriculturist, was born 
May 10, 1858. in the township which is still his 
home. His father, John H. Koebbe, was a native 
of Prussia and in 1846 came to the United States, 
making his way at once to \\'ashtenaw county. 
He worked by the month in Freedom township 
for a year and then purchased eighty acres of land 
on section 27. His father, John Koebbe, had died 
in Germany and the mother, Mrs. Fannie Koebbe. 
and his two brothers, J. Gearhart and John Bern- 
hart, and two sisters. Ricka and Katherine, came 
with him to this country and lived with him at the 
time of the purchase of the farm. His remaining 
days were devoted to the cultivation and improve- 
ment of the property and in the course of years 
he transformed his land into a very productive 
tract, carrying on his work along modern lines 
and being widely recognized as a prosperous and 
enterprising farmer. He married Miss Annie 
Mary Davidter, who was born in Prussia and 
came to the United States with her parents in 



1846, the Davidter family being established in 
Bridgewater township. Both of her parents are 
now deceased. In their family were three chil- 
dren : Justus Davidter, who died in Sharon 
township ; Henry ; and Annie Mary, who became 
Mrs. Koebbe. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John H. 
Koebbe were born seven children : John F., now 
a resident of Saline township ; Sarah, who died at 
the age of five years ; William, a carpenter of 
Manchester; Frank H. ; Sophia, deceased; Sarah 
Katarina, living in Freedom township ; and Cal- 
vin Alfred, who resides upon the old homestead 
farm. The parents were both members of the 
Evangelical Association and were earnest Chris- 
tian people, taking an active and helpful part in 
the church work. Mr. Koebbe served as class 
leader and trustee. Flis political support was 
given to the democrac}- and he served as school 
inspector and highway commissioner. Interested 
in all matters of public improvement, he gave 
active and helpful co-operation to various plans 
for the public good and throughout the com- 
munity he was respected by neighbors and friends, 
making for himself a creditable name in business 
and social circles. He died August 14, 1879, in 
the fifty-ninth year of his age, while his wife 
jiassed away November 14, 1891, at the age of six- 
ty-seven years. 

Frank H. Koebbe was reared upon the home 
farm and attended the district schools. The occu- 
pation to which he gave his attention in youth 
he has made his life work. He resides on section 
2j, Freedom township, where he owns eigthy 
acres of rich and fertile land that annually returns 
to him good crops by reason of the care and culti- 
vation which he bestows upon the fields. He is 
practical in his methods, systematic in all of his 
business affairs and by reason of his unfailing in- 
dustry has met with very desirable success. 

Mr. Koebbe was married in 1893 to Miss 
Mary Huehl, who was born in Freedom town- 
ship in i860 and was a daughter of John Gear- 
hart and Adeline (Schlicht) Huehl. The parents 
were natives of Germany and came to the United 
States about 1842. settling in Freedom township. 
They had six children : Henry, who is living in 
Freedom township ; Benjamin, who is connected 
with the stove factory in Chelsea; John, at home; 



6o 



PAST AND I'RESENT OF WASHTEXAW COL'XIA' 



L\(lia, the wife (if Hcnrs' N'oej^x'dinj;', of Freedom 
township; Airs. Koehlx' ; and Clara, the wife of 
Calvin Koebbe. a brother of our subject, and a 
resident farmer nf l-'reednm township, lloth .Mr. 
and Mrs. Frank H. Koebbe hold membership in 
the Evansjelical .Association and take an acti\e 
pari in the church work. He contributes gener- 
ously to the su])port of the church, is actino- a,-^ 
one of its officers and is superintendent of its Sun- 
da\'-school. In politics he is a democrat and for 
thirteen years served as justice of the peace, dur- 
ino- which time his decisions were so fair and im- 
])artial that he won lii.L;h encomiiuus froni ])cople 
of all parties. In IQ03 he was elected supervisor 
of Freedom township and is now serving on the 
tinance and other important committees. He has 
Ijeen a member of the county democratic central 
committee and at various times has been chairman 
of the township committee. He is popular in 
Washtenaw county, being known as a good ncigh- 
Ijor and loyal citizen, manifesting at the same time 
those traits of character which win warm personal 
regard. 



CAIAIN T. COXKLIX. 

Calvin T. Conklin. president of the Pioneer So- 
ciety of Washtenaw county and a resident of 
Chelsea, is the owner of valuable farming prop- 
ertv near the village, Imt has retired from the 
active management and is enjoying a well earned 
rest in his pleasant and attractive home. His 
name is inseparably interwoven with the histor\" 
of this community, not only by reason of the fact 
that he was for many years a leading agricul ■ 
turist, but also because he was the first white child 
born in Sylvan township, his natal year being 
1S31. His parents were Edmund E. and Sophro- 
nia (Hickox) Conklin. The father was a native 
of Orange county. New York, and coming west- 
ward to Michigan in 1 83 1, before the admission 
of the state into the Union, he secured a govern- 
ment claim in Sylvan township, Washtenaw 
county, on which not a furrow had been turned 
or an improvement made. Flis nearest neighbor 
to the west was seven miles distant and the work 
of developing and progress seemed scarcely be- 



gun. The claim comijrised one hundred and sixty 
acres of land and Mr. Conklin began clearing the 
tract, .\s acre after acre was placed under the 
])low. he transformed the once barren tract into 
]iroductive fields, and thereon he made his home 
imtil his death, .\ugust 28, 1867. His wife, who 
was descended from an old Connecticut family, 
died January 31, 1838, during the early youth of 
her son Calvin. The father aftei'ward married 
again and he had five children, of whom L'alvin 
and Susan were born of the first marriage. The 
half-sisters and half-brother of our subject were 
( )live, Frances and Smith F,. 

Calvin T. Conklin pursued his education in one 
of the old-time log schoolhouses, such as are com- 
mon in all |)ioneer communities, and although his 
educational privileges were somewhat limited his 
training at farm labor was not meager. He con- 
tinued to assist in the operation of the home farm 
until twenty years of age, when he went to his 
grandfather's ]jlace, adjoining his father's farm 
on the west, and here he has since had farming in- 
terests. He first purchased forty acres of land 
from his grandfather, to which he has added from 
time to time as his financial resources have in- 
creased imtil he is now the owner of two hundred 
and fifty acres of rich and valuable land on sec- 
tions 21) and 30, Sylvan township. He carried on 
general farming and fed all of his grain to his 
stock. .At one time he had a fine large orchard 
upon his place and he adde<l many modern im- 
provements to the property. The farm is now be- 
ing operated on shares b\' his grandson, while Mr. 
Conklin ])racticall\- lives a retired life, in the en- 
jovment of a rest which he has truly earned and 
richly deserves. 

r)n the 9th of March, 1856. Mr. Conklin was 
married to Miss Nancy E. Preston, a native of 
Waterloo, Jackson county, Michigan, and to them 
were born two children : Charles, who is now liv- 
ing near Grand Rapids, Michigan ; and Alice J., 
who became the wife of Finley Whitaker and died 
in 1897, leaving a son, Burleigh C, who married 
Louise Nutton, of Sylvan township, and is living 
on his grandfather's farm. For his second wife 
Mr. Conklin married Miss Sarah L. Runciman a 
daughter of James Runciman, of Sylvan town- 
ship, their wedding being celebrated in August, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



63 



1893. Although thfv were lioth reared in the 
town of Chelsea it happened that the\- never be- 
came acquainted until 1891. 

In pohtics Mr. Conklin is a stanch repubhcan 
but has never been an office seeker. In 1899 he 
took up his abode in Chelsea, where he has a fine 
home. He is the president of the Pioneer Society 
of Washtenaw county, to which position he was 
elected in June, 1905, at Ypsilanti, and the next 
meeting will be held in Chelsea. Mr. Conklin has 
had a prosperous business career and in addition 
to his farming interests in this county he has a 
timber interest in the state of Washington and 
also an orange grove in Florida. He is to-day 
one of the oldest native sons of the county and 
few men are more familiar with the history of 
progress and development here, for he has been a 
witness of events here for seventv-four vears. 



JAMES CLEMENTS. 

Among the builders and promoters of Ann Ar- 
bor who contributed to the business development 
of the city w'as numbered James Clements, a pio- 
neer banker, who became one of the most promi- 
nent and well-to-do residents of Washtenaw 
county. He took up his abode in Ann Arbor over 
fifty years ago, or about 1855, being then a young 
man of less than twenty-four years. He was a 
native of England, born November 28, 1831. His 
parents always resided in that country, where 
they passed away many years ago. 

James Clements was left an orphan at an early 
age and when a youth of only fourteen years he 
came to America, landing at New York citv'. 
During his early manhood he followed various 
business pursuits that would yield him an honor- 
able living and being of an economical and ambi- 
tious nature he saved his earnings whereby he 
was enabled to purchase an interest in a gas plant 
at Flushing, Long Island. For several years he 
was connected with that industry and was also 
interested in gas plants in other cities in the east, 
continuing the management of the same until he 
came to Ann Arbor. He sought a field of labor 
here in a similar direction and erected the first 
4 



gas works of this cit\ , his interest in the business 
continuing throughout his remaining days. In 
1870 he went to Bay City, Michigan, where he 
became identified with manufacturing interests, 
building a large plant for that purpose. It was 
devoted to the manufacture of all kinds of rail- 
road machinery and this represented Mr. Clem- 
ents' largest and most important investment. He 
continued to make Ann Arbor his home but con- 
tinued to go to Bay City each Monday morning, 
remaining there throughout the business days of 
the week, returning in order to spend Sunday 
with his family. His business is still carried on 
by his children, his son having charge of the same. 
It is one of the largest plants of the kind in the 
state and employs many men, while its product is 
sold to railroad companies throughout the coun- 
try. With the business Mr. Clements was con- 
nected until his death and it proved a profitable 
source of income, returning him a gratifying 
financial reward. A gentleman of resourceful 
business ability, however, he did not confine his 
attention to one line and his name figures con- 
spicuously in connection with important interests 
of Ann Arbor. He was the founder of the First 
National Bank here, one of its directors and a 
heavy stockholder. His judgment in business 
matters was very reliable and his worth was ac- 
knowledged by all who had regard for successful 
accomplishment along honorable lines. 

Mr. Clements was married in the east to Miss 
Agnes Macready, who died in this city in 1893. 
Of the children born unto them three are now liv- 
ing: ]Mrs. Ida C. Wheat, who resides in Ann 
Arbor and has two children, James Clements and 
Renville ; Mary A. Clements, who has always 
lived in Ann Arbor and makes her home with 
Mrs. Wheat : and William L. Clements, who re- 
sides at Bay City and is in charge of the manufac- 
turing plant there. 

The death of James Clements occurred on the 
I2th of November, 1895. He cast a presidential 
vote for Grover Cleveland but afterward became a 
republican in politics and continued to support 
that party for some time. He and his wife held 
membership in the Episcopal church of Ann Ar- 
bor, of which his children also became communi- 
cants. For many years he served as vestryman 



64 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



and was always deeply and actively interested in 
church work. He owned a home on South State 
street, where he always resided. For years he 
figured as one of the prominent and worthy citi- 
zens of Ann Arbor, winning prosperity through 
well directed effort nor was his path strewn with 
the wrecks of other men's fortunes. He was al- 
ways just in his treatment of those with whom he 
had trade relations but was watchful of oppor- 
tunity and his utilization of the advantages which 
came to him was one of the strong and moving- 
forces in his success. 



FRANK T. NEWTON. 

Frank T. Newton is at this writing, in 1905, 
filling the office of sheriff of Washtenaw tountv 
and for many years has been identified with its 
manufacturing and agricultural interests. To sav 
that he has risen unaided from comparative ob- 
scurity to rank among the most successful men of 
the county is a statement that seems trite to those 
familiar with his record, yet it is but just to sav 
in a history that will descend to future genera- 
tions that his business career has been one that 
any man would be proud to possess. Beginning at 
the very bottom round of the ladder he has stead- 
ily advanced step by step until he is now occupy- 
ing a position of prominence and trust reached by 
few who have no greater advantages at the outset 
of their careers. 

Mr. Newton was born in Superior township, 
this county, September 30, 1867. His father. 
Thomas Newton, was a native of England and. 
becoming a resident of Washtenaw county, has 
since followed the occupation of farming, now 
owning a valuable and productive tract of land of 
one hundred and ten acres in Superior township. 
He married Sarah Ellen Seymour, who was also 
born in England and is also yet living. In their 
family were four children, Frank T. Newton be- 
ing the third member and only son. 

Upon the homestead farm in Superior township 
the subject of this review spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth and when eighteen years of 
age he obtained a third grade teacher's certificate. 



He then engaged in teaching in Wayne county 
and for seven terms was a capable and successful 
teacher, having charge of the Gardinier school 
three terms, the A'lonier school two terms and the 
Wallaceville school two terms, and when he gave 
up the active work of the schoolroom he engaged 
in the insurance business, representing the Union 
Central Life Insurance Company for some time. 
He subsequently became the agent of the 
Equitable Life Insurance Company, of New York, 
and at a later date he removed to Detroit, where 
in 1898 he became engaged in the manufacture of 
all kinds (.)f extension ladders under the firm name 
of The Newton & Llaggerty Ladder Company. 
This enterprise has been very prosperous and Mr. 
Newton is still at the head of the concern. Its 
output is now extensive, bringing an income of 
substantial proportions. All that Mr. Newton 
possesses has been acquired through his own la- 
bors and he is yet a young man. He has a fine 
stock farm of two hundred and sixty acres and 
has raised over one hundred and fifty tons of hay 
annually, while upon this place are more than 
seventy head of steers, mostly of the Durham 
breed. He purchased the farm in 1903, and it is 
a valuable property, conveniently located a few 
miles from Ypsilanti. It, too, has been a gratify- 
ing source of income and his agricultural interests 
have made Mr. Newton almost equall_\- as well 
known as his manufacturing investments. In 
recent years he has made his home in Ypsilanti, 
but since elected to the office of sheriff has taken 
up his abode in Ann Arbor. 

]\Ir. Newton is a stalwart republican, 
thoroughly informed concerning the principles of 
the party which he believes contain the best ele- 
ments of good government. It was upon that 
ticket that he was chosen sheriff of Washtenaw 
county in the fall of IQ04, and in the discharge of 
his duties he has shown himself to be fearless and 
without favoritism. He is very prominent in fra- 
ternal circles, holding membership in the Ma- 
sonic lodge of Ypsilanti. the chapter at Ann Ar- 
bor and the commandery of the latter city, while 
of the Mystic Shrine of Detroit he is also num- 
bered with the nobles. He likewise belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity, at Ypsilanti, to the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Ann 




F. T. NEWTON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



67 



Arbor, and became a member of the Odd Fellows 
lodj^e at Wa>-ne, while teaching school there. 

On the nth of September, 1892, Mr. Newton 
was married to Ella E. Tyley, a native of \\'a\ ne 
coimtv, and they have one child. Charles T.. 
whiise birth occurred in Wa\ ne county in 1S93. 
.Mr. Xewton is a genial, whole-souled man. mak- 
ing friends wherever he goes by reason of a cour- 
teous disposition and kindly spirit that enables 
him to recognize the good qualities in others. His 
pcjpularity is well deserved and his record in fra- 
ternal, political and business circles is indeed 
commendable. 



F. L. HERRMAXX. D. D. S. 

F. L. Herrmann, who. starting out in life when, 
but twelve years of age, has won a notable ])osi- 
tion as a representative of the dental fraternity 
in Ann Arbor although he is yet one of its 
younger memljers. was born here on the 28th of 
Jnne, 1878. His father, Gustave Herrmann, a 
native of Germany, came from the old world to 
the I'nited States in 1873, and was engaged in 
the merchant tailoring business up to the time 
of his death in 1893. He married Eva Rehmus, 
the wedding being celebrated in Ann Arbor, 
where ]\Irs. Herrmann still makes her home. She 
became the mother of two sons and two daugh- 
ters : F. L., of this review; Mary, deceased; 
Anna, living in Ann Arbor ; Albert, who at the 
age of seventeen years is still in school. 

Dr. Herrman at the usual age became a student 
in the schools of his native city and when his high- 
school course was coinpleted he became imbued 
with a laudable desire to enter one of the walks 
of life demanding strong intellectuality, deter- 
mined purpose and careful preparation for the 
chosen calling. The year 1898 saw the fulfill- 
ment of his hope in his matriculation in the Uni- 
versity of Michigan and in the year 1902 he was 
graduated from the dental college. Prior to this 
time, however, he had long known what it was 
ij to earn his own living. He had lost his father 
3 when only twelve years of age and he provided 
for his support in early youth by employment 
under J. E. P.eal of the Courier, also wath the In- 



land Press Printing Company. He afterward 
completed a course of credit work in the high 
school, devoting all of his leisure hours to the 
acquirement of an education. His own labors 
provided the funds necessary for the college 
course, for he worked for Hon. Samuel Beakes as 
pressman on the Ann Arlx)r Argus and in 1902 
with his cherished diploma he entered upon active 
practice in his native city, where he has already 
secured a good patronage. 

Dr. Herrmann was married in 1898 to Miss 
Clarissa Allen, of St. Clair county, Michigan, and 
they have an interesting little son, Lester, now 
six years of age. The Doctor belongs to the Trin- 
ity Lutheran church. The demands made upon 
him by liis professional duties leave him little 
leisure time and his constantly growing practice 
is an indication of public confidence in his skill 
and ability. 



ANDREW REULE. 



-Andrew Reule, coming alone to America at the 
age of sixteen years with little more money than 
was necessary to pay the expenses of the voyage, 
is today one of the leading merchants of Ann Ar- 
bor, being a senior member of the firm of Reule, 
Conlin & Fiegel, clothiers of this city. His life 
record began in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 
25th of ?^larch. 1863, his parents being Michael 
and Christine ( Miller) Reule, who were also na- 
tives of that country. The father conducted busi- 
ness as a baker and confectioner and died in his 
native land. In the family were twelve children, 
most of whom are still living in Germany. 

Andrew Reule, having acquired a knowledge 
of the common branches of learning in the public 
schools of the fatherland, became in his youth im- 
bued with the desire to seek a home in America, 
of whose privileges and advantages he had heard 
heard much. He therefore at the age of sixteen 
completed his arrangements to cross the Atlantic 
and made his way at once to Ann Arbor, where 
he arrived in 1879. He was for four years a stu- 
dent in this city, after which he entered the em- 
ploy of J. T. Jacobs, a clothier, with whotn he re- 
mained for five years, his capability and fidelity 



68 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



winning a ready recognition in successive promo- 
tions. He gained a varied and comprehensive 
knowledge of the business and eventually became 
an independent factor in commercial circles of this 
city as a member of the firm of Wadham, Ken- 
nedy & Reulc. Subsequent changes in the owner- 
ship have led to the adoption of the present tirm 
style of Reule, Conlin & Fiegcl. The business of 
the house is extensive and the Iradc is ,i;rii\ving 
year by year. The methods eniiployed liy the 
firm are in harmony with such old and time tried 
maxims as "Honesty is the best ])oliey" and 
"There is no excellence without labor." I'air 
treatment of employes and straightforward deal- 
ing with iiatrons have won for the lirm a contin- 
uance of a most liberal and gratifying patronage. 
ATr. Reule was married in iBi)! to Miss Amelia 
Paul, of Ami .\rbor, belonging to a iironiinrnt 
pioneer family of this city. They have two sons, 
Paul .Andrew and Erwin, who are students in the 
citv schools. 



MAT-I'llFAV F. KI'.F.l.F.R. 

I\Iatthew F. Keeler is one of the extensive land 
owners of Washtenaw county, his farm compris- 
ing four hundred and thirty-six acres on section 
17, Sharon township. This is a very valuable 
propert}' improved with one uf the finest country 
homes in the county and in the management of bis 
farming and stock-raising interests Mr. Keeler 
displays excellent ability, being successfully en- 
gaged in the cultivation of crops and in the raising 
of Durham cattle. He was born in Fairfiekl 
county, Connecticut, in 1S36. His father, Jesse 
E. Keeler, was a native of the same county and 
was of Welsh lineage, his ancestors having come 
to the new world in the seventeenth century. The 
family was represented in the Revolutionary war 
and during that conflict General Wooster and his 
troops slept upon the farm owned by the paternal 
grandfather of our subject. Jesse Keeler followed 
the occupation of farming and was a well-to-do 
man for his day. Four generations of the Keel- 
ers were reared in the same district in Connecticut 
and they owned slaves there at a time when that 
custom was in vogue in New England. Jesse 



Keeler was a member of the Presbyterian church 
and his life was characterized by devotion to hon- 
orable principles. He was the fourth in a family 
of seven children. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Mary Delia Raymond, was born in Fair- 
field county, Connecticut, and was of English lin- 
eage. At the time of the Revolutionary war her 
father was detailed to jiatrol the shore and watch 
for the approach of I'.ridsli vessels and it was in 
the town of Norwalk, where the family lived, 
that Major Andre was confined for a time after he 
was captured and tried as a P)ritish spy at Ridge- 
field. Mrs. Keeler was one of seven children. 
Itotb i)arents of our snljject remained residents of 
C'oinircticul thnuiglidul tlieir entire lives, the fa- 
ther ilying in 1856, at the age of fifty-eight years, 
while his wife passed away in 1861, at the age of 
sixty-one years. Tbry had two sons, the younger 
being Russell Rayiudnd Keeler, who died Novem- 
ber 4, 1803, at his brother's home in Sharon, 
Michigan, lie was a farmer on the old home- 
sicacl in Connecticut and his son is now conduct- 
thai i)roperty being a representative of the family' 
in the sixth generation residing upon that place. 

.Matthew F. Keeler was reared to farm life and 
attended school in his native town, while later 
he eontinued bis studies for two years in Amenia 
Seminary in I )utehess county. New York. Com- 
ing westward to Michigan he settled upon the 
tract of land which be now owns, buying the first 
two hundred and forty acres of Mr. Porter, who 
broke it nj). It is 011 section 17, .Sharon townshi]), 
and to the original purchase he has added until 
within the boundaries of the property are now 
comprised four hundred and thirty-si.x acres of 
rich and productive land. He has erected there- 
on one of the fine country residences in the county 
and also substantial barns and outbuildings which 
are in keeping with the home. His fields return 
good crops and be is also engaged in the breeding 
of thoroughbred Durham cattle and the feeding 
of sheep. He usually feeds from two to five hun- 
dred bead of sheep annually and finds this a profit- 
able source of income. 

In 1861 Mr. Keeler was married to Miss Anna 
E. Osborn, wlio was bom in Wilton, Connecti- 
cut, and died February 3, 1880, at the compara- 
tively early age of thirty-nine years. Her father 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



69 



was William ( )sl)oni, a school teacher, who died 
in his eastern home, while her mother, Mrs. Anna 
(Lockwood) Osborn, eventually came to Michi- 
j,ran. Mr. and Mrs. Keeler had seven children : 
Wilton and Raymond, both deceased ; Emma W., 
at home ; Fred L. ; Mary Delia, a teacher in the 
schools of Manistee, Michigan ; Will M., who is 
engaged in the livery business in New Milford, 
Connecticut ; and Annie E., the wife of Dell Bis- 
sell, telegraph operator at the Mount Pleasant 
station in Michigan. The eldest living son, Fred 
L. Keeler, is a graduate of the Michigan Univer- 
sity at Ann Arbor of the class of 1893 and pur- 
sued post-graduate work in 1H94. He is now pro- 
fessor of science in the State Central Normal at 
Miinnt Pleasant, Michigan, He married Miss 
Herlina I'.liss, of .Ann .Xrbor, and lluy have two 
children, Marion Esther and Hliss. 

After losing his first wife Mr. Keeler was mar- 
ried in 1S84 to Miss Josephine Campbell, who was 
liorn in Sliaron township in 1847. -^ daughter of 
.Sanniel and .Sarah (McCord) Campliell, of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry. Tier father came to the 
United States from Ireland and settled in Xew 
York, On coming to Washtenaw county, Michi- 
gan, in 1 838, he first located in Freedom town- 
ship but afterward moved to Sharon township. 
His wife's people were natives of Scotland and 
in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were 
twelve children, of wliom Mrs, Keeler is the sev- 
enth in order of birth. She is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal cliureb and an estimable 
lady, who enjoys the warm regard of many 
friends. Mr. Keeler exercises his right of fran- 
chise in sn]i])nrt iif the republican partv and its 
princi]5les and has served as treasurer of his 
school district for thirty-six years. For years he 
has been entrusted with the settlement of his 
brother's and other estates as administrator or ex- 
ecutor and is a man of irreproachable integrity 
and imflinching business honor, who enjoys the 
uu(|ualified trust and respect of his fellowmen. 
He stands today a strong man, strong in his honor 
and his good name and in his business qualifica- 
tions and .success. In addition to his farming in- 
terests he was one of the organizers of the Grass 
Lake Farmers' P)ank, which was established in 
18X2 and (if which he was a stockholder and di- 



rector, lie possesses many of the sterling traits 
of character of his New England ancestry and is 
a high type of our American manhood. 



WILLIAM H, MURRAY. 

William H. Murray, the senior memlier of the 
law fn-ni of .Murray iK: Storm, of .Ann . Xrbor, was 
born in X'ork township, Washtenaw county, in 
1875, Mis grandfather, Andrew ATurray, was a 
native of Scotland and in earl\- life joined an 
Irish regiment, which came to America in 1812. 
Together with other members of the military com- 
mand he deserted the ISritish ranks and joined the 
rnited States army, his sympathy being with the 
republic. Following- the close of hostilities he 
settled in Alonroe, Michigan, where he followed 
farming. L'nto him and his wife Maria were 
born five children, of whom tw'o arc yet living, 
Daniel and Airs. Ellen Roberts. 

Daniel .Murray, born in Monroe, Michigan, 
removed from that ])lace to A'ork township, Wash- 
tenaw county, in 18^14 and has since been closely 
identifi'-d with agricultural interests there. He 
married Miss Catherine Mclnnes, a native of 
London, England, and they have become the par- 
ents of eight children, of whom seven are yet liv- 
ing, as follows: Mary A.; Donald, who married 
Louisa Wardell and follows farming in Augusta 
townshi]): Andn'w, a resident farmer of A'ork 
township, who married Hattie lllood ; John, an 
agriculturist of Augusta township, who married 
Elizabeth Wanty ; Ella, the wife of Lucian Lock, 
M, D.. a physician of Haverhill, Ohio; Edwin 
W., also a farmer of .\ugusta township, who mar- 
ried I^lizalieth Feldman : and William H.. wdio is 
the voungcst of the family. 

In the township of his nativity William H. 
Alurrav was reared to manhood and after master- 
ing the elementary branches of learning he com- 
pleted a high-school course, being graduated with 
the class of 1893, Subsequently he entered the 
University of Michigan, where he won his degree 
of Bachelor of Laws, in 1895. and his degree of 
Master of Law, in 1896, having completed the 
litcrarv and law courses. Between the two per- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COIXTV 



iods of his university courses he read law in the 
office of Edward Weeks, an attorney of Detroit, 
with whom he spent the summer months, and in 
1897 he entered upon the practice of his chosen 
profession in Ann Arlxir. where he has gained a 
creditable position. In i()oi he admitted Carl T. 
Storm to a partnership under the firm style of 
Murray & Storm, and this relation has since been 
maintained. Mr. Murray has been very success- 
ful and the recognition of his natural intellectual 
endowments, his laudable amliilion and his strong 
determination lead the public to predict for him 
a successful future. His political allegiance is 
given to the democracy and for the past six years 
he served as circuit court commissioner, his term 
expiring in the fall of 1904. He is also one of 
the directors of the German American Savings 
Bank, one of the recently established financial in- 
stitutions of the city, and has an office in the Ger- 
man American Bank Building at the corner of 
Liberty and Main street, south. 

In October, iqoi, in Ann Arbor. Mr._ Murray 
was married to Miss Julia J. .Vllmendinger, a 
daughter of David F. Allmendinger, an old resi- 
dent of the city. They now have one son, Ralph 
A., born in Ann Arbor. The parents are promi- 
nent young people here, enjoying the hospitality 
of many of the best homes of the city. Mr. Mur- 
ray belongs to the Alasonic lodge and chapter and 
to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
with which he has been associated for five years 
and for three vears as secretarv. 



TOHN KOCH. 



John Koch, who as a member of the firm of 
Koch Brothers, contractors of .\nn .\rlior. has 
erected some of the finest buildings in this city. 
being closely identified with the material im- 
provement of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county, 
was born in Wurtemberg. (Jermany, January 30. 
1858. His parents, John George and Mag- 
dalena (Ade) Koch, were also natives of Ger- 
many, and the father, who was a stone contrac- 
tor, died in the year 1864. His widow long sur- 
vived him, and passed away 1897. 1^" their family 



were fi\-e children : Anna Maria, who is living 
in the fatherland; John; Sophia Agnes, who also 
resides in Germany ; Christian G., who is in part- 
nership with our subject; and Henry G., who 
was also a member of the firm from 1892 to 1897. 

.\t the age of six years John Koch began his 
education in the schools of his native country, 
and he learned the builder's trade in Stuttgart, 
Germany, after which he came to the United 
States, believing superior business advantages 
were aliforded in the new world. He was twenty- 
two years of age when he crossed the .\tlantic 
to .America, making his way direct to Ami Arbor. 
Here he secured employment at the builder's 
trade, and was employed by several contractors 
in this city. In 1880 he was with the firm of 
Walker lirothers. but since 1884 has been in 
business for himself. In 1892 he formed a part- 
nership with his brother. Christian G. 

I'nder the firm style of Koch I'rothers. thev 
have erected some of the finest structures in Ann 
.\rbor. including the State Savings liank. the 
I^'armers and Mechanics Bank, St. Thomas Cath- 
olic church, the Zion Lutheran church, the Zeta 
I 'si, the Delta Kappa Epsilon, the Phi Delta, the 
Ileta Zeta and Delta U.. all fraternity houses, 
the new medical building and I'erry school. The 
firm has also erected nine churches in the county 
and state, the Palmer IIos])ital and Homeopathic 
Hospital, and a large niuuber of Inisiness blocks, 
factories and residences. Their work has given 
general satisfaction, and the character of their 
Iniilding operations has securerl for them a con- 
tinuance of a liberal and gratifying patronage. 
They rank to-day w^ith the leading contractors of 
this part of the state, and have an office at No. 
501 .South .\sliley street, at the corner of Jef- 
ferson. 

In 1884 Mr. Koch was united in marriage to 
Miss Kate Kuhn. a daughter of John William 
and .•\nnie (Schopf) Kuhn. Her father was 
a railroad contractor, and made his home in .\nn 
.\rbor for some time, .\fter his marriage Mr. 
Koch removed to Ithaca, Michigan, where he 
built a home and maintained his residence until 
1885, when he returned to Ann .\rbor, where he 
has since been engaged in business as a leading 
contractor and dealer in all kinds of building su]i- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



73 



plies. Unto liiiii and his wife have lieen born 
tiirec children: Rnpert W., born in 1885, and 
therefore twent}' years of age, is now in the en- 
gineering department of the University of Mich- 
igan ; Mamie Charlotte, born in 1888. is acting 
as bookkeeper for her father, and is a yoinig 
woman of good business ability: Sophia B.. born 
in 1801. is now a student in the high school of 
Ann Arbor, and possesses considerable musical 
talent. 

Mr. Koch is a democrat in his pcjlitical views, 
and is a prominent Mason, having become a 
Knight Templar in 1898. He is also a member 
of the Mystic Shrine of Detroit, and is in hearty 
sympathy with the teachings and tenets of the 
craft. He is also a member of many other lodges 
and German societies, and he and his family are 
members of Zion Lutheran church, of which 
Mrs. Koch is a trustee. He served four terms 
as alderman from the second ward. He has never 
had occasion to regret his deternimation to seek 
a home in the new world, for in its business con- 
ditions lie has foiuid the broader opportunit"ies 
that he sought, and by the utilization of these has 
advanced steadily to a prominent and prosper- 
ous position in industrial circles. 



ARCHER G. CRANE. 



Archer G. Crane, who is serving for the sec- 
ond term as supervisor of Rridgewater townshi]) 
and is also a farmer, was born on the 3d of De- 
cember, 1858, in Lodi township, this county. His 
father, Charles T, Crane, was a native of the Em- 
pire state and in 1826 came to Michigan, settling 
in Freedom township, Washtenaw county, with 
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Archer Crane. The 
grandfather entered a tract of land from the gov- 
ernment there and began the development of a 
farm in this frontier district. Charles T. Crane 
was reared to the occupation of farming, chose 
that pursuit as a life work and became well-to-do. 
He stood high in the community, enjoying the 
regard of all with whom he was associated. His 
political support was given to the republican party 
and he capably served as justice of the peace. He 



married Amarillis Judd, who was Ijorn in Xew 
York and was a daughter of Ozias and .Martha 
Judd, who were pioneer residents of Michigan, 
settling in Lodi township, Washtenaw countv. 
Airs. Crane was one of six children, while her 
husbanil was one of five children. His death oc- 
currcil in 1872 at the age of seventy-seven vears, 
while his ^\-ife passed away in September, 1905, 
at the advanced age of eighty-three years, Li 
their family were si.x children : Celestia, the wife 
of Calvin Lazell, a farmer of Jackson county : 
Edith, the wife of Erastus Walter, a resident 
farmer of Clinton county : Clarence, an agricul- 
turist of Saginaw county : Ida, the wife of Elroy 
Zimmerman, an upholsterer of Tecumseh, Michi- 
gan : Archer G. : and Lyle, who is living in 
liridgewater township. 

Archer G. Crane was reared to farm life and in 
his youth attended the district schools, while la- 
ter he continued his studies in the Clintnn high 
school. For eight }"ears he was a district school 
teacher, following that pursuit through the win- 
ter months, while in the summer seasons he 
worked at farm labor. In fact he has always 
been activelv connected with agricultural inter- 
ests and he now lives on section 15, Bridgewater 
township, where he owns one hundred and twenty 
acres of land that he has placed under a high state 
of cultivation, adding to it the modern equipments 
which are ever fotmd upon a model farm of the 
twentieth century. The fields are well tilled and 
everythfng about the place bespeaks the energy 
and enterprise of a careful and painstaking owner. 

In i88fi -Mr, Crane was married to Miss Anna 
r.elle Kinney, who was born in Cambridge, Lena- 
wee county, Michigan, in 1864, and is a daughter 
of Fred and Josephine Kinney. In this family 
there were five children, namely: Mrs. Crane; 
Eugene, who is an engineer in the oil fields of 
Ohio : .-\mv, the wife of Orrin Smith, a weaver 
of Clinton. Michigan ; Cornelia, the wife of Ern- 
est McGee, who is also an engineer in the Ohio 
oil fields : and Arthur, who is connected with the 
woolen mills of Clinton. Mr. and Mrs. Crane 
had but one child, Charles, who was born in 1893, 
and in 1895 t'le wife and mother passed away, her 
death being deeply deplored by many friends 
throughout the community. Mr. Crane belongs 



74 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



to the Grange and is well known as a local leader 
in deinocratic ranks, taking an active and helpful 
interest in the work of his party. He has served 
as school inspector and highway commissioner 
and in the spring of 1904 was elected supervisor 
of Ilridgewater townshi];) and is now serving his 
second term in that position. In the discharge of 
his official duties he is prompt and accurate and 
the same qualities are manifest in his business 
career and have constituted the key that has un- 
locked to him the portals of prosperity. 



MARTIN L. BELSER. M. D. 

Martin L. Belser, physician and surgeon at 
Ann Arbor, and surgeon general of the Michigan 
National Guard, was born in New Washington, 
Ohio, March 16, 1869, and is a son of PI. F. and 
Mary (Kocher) Belser. The father, a native of 
Germany, and a man of superior native force and 
intellectual attainments, came to this coimtrv 
from Wurteniberg as a missionary of the Luth- 
eran church. The year of his arrival was 1859, 
and for seventeen years he was pastor of the 
church of his domination at New Washington, 
Ohio. In 1875 he came to Aim Arlior as the first 
pastor of the Zion Lutheran church, continuing 
•his connection therewith for fifteen years, or until 
failing health compelled his retirement. He is a 
man of great piety, whose life was characterized 
by conscientious zeal and consecration to his 
work, and his influence was of no restricted 
order. He still makes his home in Ann Arbor. 
His wife was born in Indiana : and by this mar- 
riage there were born nine children, namely: 
Frederick H., cashier of the Farmers and Me- 
chanics Bank of Ann Arbor; C. W., Louisa and 
Paul, all deceased; Martin L. ; Anna, deceased; 
Amanda, who is living with her brother, Dr. Bel- 
ser ; and Emma and Ernest, who have likewise 
departed this life. 

Martin L. Belser, brought to Ann Arbor when 
a youth of six years, pursued his literary educa- 
tion in the grammar and high schools of this 
city and entered the University of Michigan in 
1889, completing the course with the class of 



1 89 1, which qualified him fur the practice of med- 
icine and surgery. His standing during his col- 
lege days is indicated by the fact that he was 
chosen instructor for the department of pathology 
and thus continued his connection with the univer- 
sity from 1 89 1 mitil 1S95. In the latter year he en- 
tered upon active practice and had secured a good 
patronage, when, in 1898. he went to Cuba as a 
member of Company A, Thirty-first Michigan 
Infantry, holding the rank of second lieutenant. 
He was afterward promoted to first lieutenant, 
and upon his return from the war was presented 
with a beautiful sword by the members of his 
battalion, in recognition of his services among the 
sick and wounded. For five years before the 
outbreak of the Spanish-American war he was 
major surgeon of the jNIichigan National Guard, 
an<l was reappointed upon his return from Cuba. 
.He practiced along modern scientific lines, keep- 
ing in touch with the advanced thought of the 
profession, and the consensus of public opinion 
gives him rank among the foremost representa- 
tives, of the medical fraternity here, while his 
close adherence to a high standard of professional 
ethics has gained him the respect of the members 
of the profession. 

Dr. Belser is a member of Golden Rule lodge, 
A.. F. & A. ]\I. He was married in 1891 to Miss 
Emma Sheets, of New Washington, Ohio, and 
they have two sons, Carl and Walter, aged re- 
spectively three and two years. The parents are 
members of the Zion Lutheran church ; and Dr. 
Belser gives his political allegiance to the democ- 
racv. He. stands as a typical representative of 
age, alert, enterprising and progressive, in touch 
with modern thought, equally prominent and pop- 
ular in social, military aufl ]~irofessional circles. 



OLR'ER :\f. MARTIN. 

Oliver M. Martin, engaged in the undertaking 
Inisiness in .\nn Arbor, and a director of the 
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, was born in the 
city of his residence, November 7, 1847. His fa- 
ther. Oliver AI. ?\Tartin, was a native of New Jer- 
sev, his birth having occurred in Plainfield, 




DR. :\f. L. KELSER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



77 



whence he removed to Michigan, in 1843. He es- 
tabHshed his home in Ann Arbor, accompanied by 
his wife and one child. He was married in New 
Jerse\- to Miss Phoebe Hawkins, who was born 
in the state of New York. Here Mr. Martin 
turned his attention to cabinet-making, having 
mastered the trade in New Jersey, and eventually 
he engaged in the manufacture of furniture on his 
own account. Later he established the under- 
taking business, becoming the pioneer in that line 
in Ann Arbor, and after several years he with- 
drew entirely from furniture manufacturing in 
order to give his undivided attention to the under- 
taking business, in which he continued success- 
fully up to the time of his death, which occurred 
when he was sixty-two years of age. His wife 
passed away at the age of sixty-five years. His 
political allegiance was given to the republican 
party and for one term he served as city marshal. 
He was held in high esteem because of his honor, 
activity and success in business afTairs and his 
loyalty to the varied interests which contributed 
to public progress and improvement. 

At the usual age Oliver M. Martin became a 
student in the Ann Arbor schools, mastering the 
branches of the grammar and hig'h school courses. 
After putting aside his text-books he became a 
mail agent on the Michigan Southern Railroad, 
his route being between Detroit and Chicago, oc- 
cupying the position for a year. He then joined 
his father in the undertaking business, being ad- 
mitted to a partnership four years prior to the 
father's death. Since that time he has been alone 
in business and the success of the house has been 
maintained through all these years. He has one 
of the most modem establishments of this char- 
acter and a liberal patronage is accorded him. He 
has likewise made investment in banking interests 
here and is a director of the Farmers and Me- 
chanics Bank. 

In 1875 Mr. Martin was married to Miss Caro- 
line Foster, who was born in Ann Arbor, and is 
a (laughter of Samuel Foster, one of the early set- 
tlers of Washtenaw county and now a prominent 
farmer of Scio township. Mr. Martin is a very 
prominent Mason, having taken the degrees of the 
lodge, chapter and commander}'. His wife is a 
member of the Eastern Star and also belongs to 



the Methodist church and various social organi- 
zations of the city. Mr. Martin has crossed the 
sands of the desert with the nobles of the Mystic 
Shrine of Detroit and his name is also on the 
membership rolls of the Knights of the Macca- 
bees. His political allegiance is given to the re- 
publican party but he never places partisanship 
before the general welfare and is recognized as 
one of the leading spirits in the promotion of 
Ann Arbor's best interests, being the champion 
of every measure for the material, moral and in- 
tellectual development of the city in which his 
entire life has been passed and where he has so 
directed his labors as to win not only a compe- 
tency but also an honorable name. 



VICTOR CLARENCE VAUGHAN, M. D., 
LL. D. 

Dr. X'aughan, dean of the department of med- 
cine and surgery of the LTniversity of Michigan, 
was born at Mount Airy, Randoljjh county, Mis- 
souri, October 27, 1851. His paternal grandfa- 
ther came from Wales, where the family name is 
found in the earliest chronicles, and settled in 
North Carolina. His father, John A^^ughan, was 
a tobacco grower in Missouri. His mother, Ade- 
line Dameron, was descended from French Hu- 
guenots, who came from Rouen, where bearers of 
the name still live. Dr. Vaughan has two broth- 
ers, John P., a commission merchant at Dallas, 
Texas, and Marvin G., a druggist at Eagle Pass, 
Texas, and two sisters, Mrs. W. H. Stapleton, 
of Ennis, Texas, and Mrs. John H. Hammett, of 
Huntsville, Missouri. 

Dr. Vaughan's preliminary education was ob- 
tained under private instruction and his under- 
graduate college work was done at Central Col- 
lege, Fayette, Missouri, and at Mount Pleasant 
College, at Huntsville, Missouri, where he grad- 
uated in 1872. For two years after his 
graduation he was instructor in Latin and 
his alma mater and in 1874 he entered the 
LTniversity of Michigan, taking the degrees, 
M. S. in 187s, Ph. D. in 1878 and M. D. in 1878. 
Since the last mentioned date he has practiced 
medicine, doing a general practice until [895, 



78 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



since which time he has confined himself to office 
and consultation work. Dr. Vaughan has studied 
in Europe and has contributed more than one hun- 
dred articles to the medical and scientific period- 
icals of this country and Europe. 

In 1877 he married Dora C. Taylor, of Hunts- 
ville, Missouri, and to them five sons have been 
born: Drs. Victor C, Jr., and J. Walter, practi- 
tioners in Detroit; Herbert PL, an instructor in 
the University of Kansas ; and Henry F. and 
Warren T., now students in the high school. 

Dr. Vaughan served as surgeon in the Spanish- 
American war and was recommended for brevet 
by President McKinley for meritorious conduct 
in the battle at Santiago. Politically he was a 
democrat until the silver question became promi- 
nent in 1896 since which time he has been a re- 
publican in national matters and an independent in 
state and local affairs. 



MAT D. BLOSSER. 



Mat D. Blosser, editor and publisher of the 
Manchester Enterprise, was born in Tecumseh, 
Michigan, in 1846. His father, Peter F. Blosser, 
was a native of the state of New York, and is of 
German extraction, while another branch of the 
family comes of French ancestry. Mat Blosser, 
Sr., the grandfather of our subject, served as a 
soldier in the war of 1812 with a Pennsylvania 
regiment. Peter Blosser, reared in the Empire 
state, came westward to Michigan in 1842, locat- 
ing in Tecumseh. He was a miller by trade, and 
was emplo-\'ed in the Globe mills for ten years. 
About 1854 he came to Manchester, where he 
operated what was then known as the "Southern 
Washtenaw Mills," now the Manchester Roller 
Mills, continuing in charge of the plant for 
twelve years. On the expiration of that period 
he engaged in the drug business, in which he 
continued until his retirement from active busi- 
ness life about twenty-five years ago. He be- 
longs to the Episcopal church, and fraternally is 
connected with the Masonic lodge, chapter, coun- 
cil and Adrian commandery, K. T., while his 
political views are indicated by the stalwart sup- 



port which he gives to the republican party. He is 
now living with his son Mat, at the age of eighty- 
three years. His wife, who bore the maiden 

name of Sarah Baylis, was born in New York, 
and is now living at the age of eighty years. 
She comes of ancestry which is distinctively 
American in both the lineal and collateral lines, 
her ancestors having lived in Virginia at an early 
day. She, too, belongs to the Episcopal church. 
In the family are two sons, the elder being 
Thomas Blosser, working in a wholesale drug 
house and residing in Lansing, Michigan. 

Mat D. Blosser began his education in the 
common schools of Tecumseh and continued his 
studies there until he became a high school 
student. He enlisted for service in the Civil war, 
but owing to his youth he was taken from the 
army by his parents. Li his native town he 
learned the printer's trade when a lad, and his 
entire life has been devoted to the "art preserva- 
tive." In 1867 he came to Manchester, and in 
connection with George S. Spafford established 
the Manchester Enterprise, but after a compara- 
tively brief time purchased his partner's interest 
and has since been running the paper. It was a 
full page seven column paper, which he after- 
ward increased to a six page paper, and now it 
is an eight page paper. He has a large adver- 
tising patronage and the journal also enjoys a 
large circulation. It is non-partisan and is pub- 
lished every Thursday. 

In 1870 Mr. Blosser was married to Miss Mary 
Etta Harris, who was born in Syracuse, New 
York, a daughter of B. G. and Sarah (Spaulding) 
Harris, who came to Michigan about 1865, and 
after a year spent in Manchester removed to 
Grass Lake. He was a ship-builder by trade and 
in this state engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. 
Blosser have three children: Fred H., a printer, 
residing in Sioux City, Iowa; Margaret H.. the 
wife of B. Fred Burtless, office manager for 
the state tax commission at Lansing; and Maree 
Dorothy. 

Vlt. Blosser has attained the Royal Arch de- 
gree in Masonry and is a past master of the 
lodge and high priest of the chapter. He also 
has membership relations with the Foresters and 
is one of the old members of the Michigan Press 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



79 



Association. Personally he favors the democracy, 
hut he publishes an independent paper devoted 
to the dissemination of local and tivneral news. 



JAMES B. SAUNDERS. 

James B. Saunders, an honored veteran of the 
Civil war. who from the age of sixteen years has 
made his home in Michigan and is now engaged 
in the printing business in Ann Arbor, was born 
Februarj- 13, 1844, in West Harwich. Barnstable 
county, Massachusetts. His father, Thorndike P. 
.Saunders, was born in Bedford. Massachusetts, 
in 1810 and for some years resided in New York, 
where he was engaged in the wholesale commis- 
sion business. On starting for the west he came 
direct to Ann Arbor, taking up his abode in this 
city in 1857. In 1836 he was married to Miss 
Abigail B. M. Barnaby. who was born in Massa- 
chusetts in 1812 and was a daughter of Rev. 
James Barnaby, whose birth occurred in 1787. 
Her father became a student in Brown University 
with the intention of studying law but during a 
religious revival held there he was converted and 
abandoned the study of law for the study of the 
gospel. Being graduated from the theological de- 
partment, he then entered the Baptist ministry and 
for many years, or until the time of his death, de- 
voted his attention and talents to the cause of the 
church. His labors were attended with success, 
as many were converted through his earnestness. 
Christian zeal and consecration and his influence 
proved a far-reaching factor in the moral devel- 
opment of the various communities with which he 
was connected. He died at the venerable age of 
ninety-six years and six months. 

Thorndike P. Saunders, who had engaged in 
business in New York as a wholesale merchant, 
turned his attention to the shoe business after his 
arrival in the west. He had been a prominent fac- 
tor in political circles in the eastern metropolis 
and had represented his district in the general as- 
sembly. He voted first with the whig and after- 
ward with the republican party and he held mem- 
bership in the Episcopal church. His death oc- 
curred in 1871 and for two decades he was sur- 



vived by his wife, who passed away in March, 
1895. In their family were eight children: 
Thorndike F., who was born in 1837 and is now 
a lawyer practicing at the bar of New York city ; 
Abbie M., the wife of Judge Frazer, of Detroit, 
and the mother of three children ; Kate A., the 
wife of J. B. Hobson. of Olathe, Kansas, by whom 
she has one child ; Addie M., deceased, who was 
the wife of James Kingsley, Jr., and had four 
children ; James B., of this revie.w ; Harry H., who 
was assistant prosecuting attorney of Detroit, 
Michigan, and died about two years ago ; Eben 
S., now living in Olathe. Kansas ; and Charlotte, 
the wife of Thomas Payne, of Kansas City, by 
whom she had two children. 

James I!. Saunders, after spending the first six- 
teen years of his life in the Empire state, came to 
Michigan and pursued his education in the high 
school and an academy in Ann Arbor. Taking up 
the printer's trade he mastered the business, which 
he continued to follow until the outbreak of the 
Civil war, when on the 8th of August, 1862, in 
response to his country's call for troops, he en- 
listed as a member of Company H, Twentieth 
^Michigan Infantry. He served for three years 
or until the close of the war and participated in a 
number of important engagements, including the 
battles of Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Blue 
Springs, Fort Saunders, Knoxville, Tennessee, 
Strawberry Plains, Wilderness, Spottsylvania 
Court House, Lenoir Station and others. He was 
taken prisoner at Spottsylvania Court House and 
was confined at various periods at Lynchburg, 
Danville, Andersonville. Florence and Salisbury. 
He was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness 
and was taken to the field hospital, but not wish- 
ing to be taken prisoner (as those in the hospital 
were assured they would be if they remained 
there) he partially emptied his knapsack and then 
undertook to proceed with the army on the march 
of the day. By the aid of a comrade, who was 
driving an ammunition wagon, he succeeded in 
joining his regiment the following morning just 
in time to be detailed on the skirmish line, where 
he was unfortunate enough to be again wounded 
and taken prisoner. This was on the 8th day of 
May, 1864, and he was confined in the prisons 
above mentioned until IMarch i, 1865, when he 



8o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



was, witli a trainload of other unfortunates, ta- 
ken to a point within a few miles of Wihnington, 
North Carohna, and paroled. Aiter being stowed 
away in the Union transports once more, they 
were taken to Annapolis, Maryland, and placed 
in the government hospitals there. After remain- 
ing there ahniit a innnth, hnvering lictween life 
and death, he was granted a furlough and re- 
turned home. After the expiration of his thirty 
days' furlough, on the affidavit of Dr. Wells, his 
familv physician, his furlough was extended, and 
when that time had expired he was ordered to re- 
port at Camp Chase, Ohio, parole camp. He did 
so and, in the middle of June, 1865, was honor- 
ably discharged, though never exchanged, and re- 
turned to his home at Ann Arbor. So rigorous 
had been his service in the war that his health 
was largely undermined and for two years he 
was unable to do any work after his return. 

Mr. Saunders then went to Chicago, where he 
engaged in the printing business, and on his re- 
turn to Ann Arbor continued in the same line. 
Later he went to New York city in 1870, where 
he engaged in the book and job printing business. 

In 1867 he wedded Miss Ada J. Pierce, who 
was born June 7, 1848, and was a daughter of 
Nathan H. and Sophia M. Pierce. Mr. Pierce 
was a native of New York, who came to Michi- 
gan at an early day. He served as chief of police 
and was constable in Ann Arbor for many years. 
He lost an arm through an explosion when cele- 
brating a ratification meeting on the courthouse 
square. The German citizens of Ann Arbor pre- 
sented him with a fine revolver in recognition of 
his faithfulness as an officer and his devotion to 
the general good, and this firearm is now in pos- 
session of Mr. Saunders. For many years he re- 
mained a worthy and prominent citizen of Ann 
Arbor, respected by all as a faithful defender of 
the general welfare. For many years Mrs. Pierce 
was very prominent in different things that go to 
make up the history of Washtenaw county. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Saunders have been born 
nine children : Georgia, who was born July 5, 
1868, and is the wife of Ernest P. Van Kleek, 
by whom she has three children ; Lottie Belle, 
who was born February 27, 1870, and is the wife 
of Frank T. Corr, bv whom slie had six chil- 



dren, two now deceased; Ada J., who was born 
April II, 1871, and married Simon P. Dewey, 
by whom she has one child ; Katie, born February 
14, 1873, now the wife of Thomas McHugli, and 
the mother of two children; James B., Jr., who 
was born May 16, 1876, and married Mabel 
Midgley, by whom he has two children; Harry 
E., who was born July 3, 1879, and married 
Ivatie Rinsey; Winona M., born June 12, 1882; 
Florence L., who was born July 29, 1884, and 
is the wife of John H. Stimpson, by whom she 
has one child, and Vera M., who was born July 
16, 1889, and is at home. 

The family belong to the Unitarian church, 
and Mr. Saunders is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, having held all of the 
officers and been adjutant of Welch post, No. 137, 
when not filling one of the other chairs, ever since 
the date of its organization. He is likewise a 
member of the Typographical Union and of the 
Trades Council, being secretary of the latter. 
In politics he is a republican, and has for the 
past forty years worked for the election of the 
candidates on that ticket when he was not con- 
vinced that the opponent was the best man for 
the office. 



ALFRED H. TTOTAIES. 

Alfred H. Holmes, w^ho for twenty years has 
been engaged in the livery business in Ann Arbor, 
was born in Pittsfield township, Washtenaw 
county, June 10, 1839, and is one of a family of 
twelve children, whose parents were Burroughs 
and Polly (Denison) Holmes, both of whom 
were natives of New York. The father came 
from Saratoga county, New York, in 1837, and 
settled in Washtenaw county, Michigan, on a 
farm three and a half miles south of the postof- 
fice in Ann Arbor. The farm comprised one 
hundred and sixty acres, and to its improvement 
and development he gave his time and attention 
until his death, which occurred March 8, i860. 
He was a member of the Christian church. His 
wife survived him until 1868, when, she, too, 
passed away. Of their children six are yet liv- 
ing: Rev. Dr. Thomas Holmes, a Congrega- 




-^^^^ ^ JJ(r€uL<.^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



83 



tional minister, residing at Chelsea ; Mrs. 
Amanda Wilsey, the widow of Moses T. Wilsey, 
residing at 327 South Division street ; Mrs. Or- 
pha Wilsey, living at 509 East Liberty street, Ann 
Arbor ; Mrs. Francis A. Jack, and Mrs. Polly C. 
Bramhall, buth of Memphis, Tennessee; and Al- 
fred H. 

Alfred H. Holmes spent his early life on a 
farm and in early manhood lived in Kansas for a 
time, but for twenty years has been engaged in 
the livery business in .\nn Arbor, drawing his 
patronage from the best citizens here. He is 
thoroughly reliable in all business transactions, 
earnestly strives to please his patrons and thus 
insures a continuance of a liberal trade. 

On the sth of April, i860, Mr. Holmes was 
united in marriage to Miss Anna .S. Sheldon, of 
Lodi township, a daughter of Newton and Su- 
zanna (Edmunds) .Sheldon. Her father was a 
native of Brutus, Cayuga county. New York, and 
he became a very prominent and influential citi- 
zen of Michigan, leaving the impress of his in- 
dividuality upon its legislative history during 
the early days of the commonwealth. He was a 
member of the territorial legislature when De- 
troit was the capital and served in the legislature 
again in 1868. He died in 1883, at the age of sev- 
enty-two years, while his widow, who was also 
a native of New York, departed this life in 1899, 
at the very advanced age of eighty-six years. In 
their family were six children : Mrs. Mary M. 
Isbell, of Ann Arbor; Edward, of Jackson, Mich- 
igan; Mrs. Ermina S. Warner, of Lodi town- 
ship, Washtenaw county ; Mrs. Holmes ; Mrs. 
Jennie A. Wilsey, of Detroit; and Alma, who 
died at the age of twenty years. Edward Shel- 
don formerly followed farming but is now en- 
gaged in business at Jackson. In politics he is 
a democrat, and in religious faith is a Congrega- 
tionalist. 

Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Holmes success- 
fully engaged in teaching school for several years. 
She and her husband have a fine home at No. 
509 Liberty street, East. Unto them have been 
born a daughter and two sons. Mrs. Nellie 
Briggs, the eldest, living in Toledo, Ohio, has 
four children, Helen, Harriet, Lucile and Dor- 
othy. Bert E., of Boston, Massachusetts, with 
5 



the Buffalo Steam Roller Company, was married 
June 2, 1904, to Grace Haven, a granddaughter 
of the ex-president of the University of Michi- 
gan. Willard S. Holmes, who is with his father 
in business, was married December 9, 1901, to 
Mildred Harriet Shetterly, of Ann Arbor, and 
they have a son, Alfred H. Holmes, who is 
named in honor of his grandfather and is now 
two years of age. 

Mr. Holmes is an active advocate of the tem- 
perance cause and stands loyally by his convic- 
tions. He is a man of upright character, genial 
and kindly in his relations to all, and his personal 
characteristics have so endeared him to his many 
friends that the circle of his friendship is almost 
co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances. 



GEORGE AUSTIN HOWLETT, D. D. S. 

Dr. George Austin Hewlett, well known in pro- 
fessional circles of Ann Arbor as a practitioner of 
dentistry, was born in Lyndon township, Washte- 
naw county. Michigan, January 6. 1875. His fa- 
ther, William John Hewlett, was a native of Lin- 
colnshire, England, and in his youth crossed the 
Atlantic to the new world, settling in this county 
in 1853. He was identified with agricultural in- 
terests, becoming a prosperous farmer as the years 
passed by. He married Betsy Ann Goodwin, a 
native of Lyndon township and a representative of 
one of the pioneer families of this portion of the 
state. 

In his early youth Dr. Hewlett was a student 
in the country school of Lyndon township and aft- 
erward continued his education in the high school 
at Chelsea, Michigan, where he acquired his more 
specifically literary education. His preparation 
for his chosen profession was made in the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, matriculating in the dental 
department in 1897 and completing the regular 
four years' course with the class of 1901. He en- 
tered upon practice at Stockbridge, Michigan, in 
1902, but the same year came to Ann Arbor, 
where he opened an ofifice. He now has a fine 
suite of rooms in Ann Arbor Savings Bank 
Building, equipped with the latest appliances 



84 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



known to the dental profession. His practice is 
large and constantly increasing" and his position 
as a member of the dental fraternity was assured 
from the begiiming because of the careful prepa- 
ration which well equipped him for his work, his 
laudable ambition and his strong determination 
to win success. 

Dr. Hewlett was married in 1903 to Aliss Flor- 
ence N. Bachman, of Chelsea, Michig'an, and they 
are well known and prominent socially in the uni- 
versity city. The Doctor belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity and to the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and was vice grand of Stockbridge lodge. 
His political allegiance is given to the democracy 
and he is a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal 
church. 



JOHN LLOYD DAVIDSON. 

John Llovd Davidson, deceased, was a mason 
contractor, who aided in the erection of some of 
the first buildings in Ann Arbor, becoming a pio- 
neer settler of this city in 1833. He was of 
Scotch descent and was a native of Charleston. 
Montgomery county. New York, born on the i ith 
of August, 1805. His parents were John and 
Rhoda (Mudge) Davidson, both of whom resided 
at Sacket Harbor, New York, in early life. Sub- 
sequently, however, they removed to IVIontreal, 
Canada, where they spent a few years, after 
which they returned to the Empire state, locating 
at Charleston. The father was also a mason 
and builder and worked at his trade at Charles- 
ton for several years. For a short time he made 
his home in Syracuse, New York, and then re- 
moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. There he 
followed the same pursuit and assisted in the 
erection of some of the fine buildings of that city, 
devoting his time and energies to the mason's 
trade at that point until his later years, \vhen he 
retired from active business life to enjoy in well 
earned rest the fruits of his former toil. P)Oth he 
and his wife spent their last years in Grand 
Rapids. 

John Llcivd Davidson acquired his education in 
the public schools of Charleston, New York, 
spending his youth in the Empire state. Having 



arrived at years of maturity he was married in 
Syracuse, New York, to Miss Maria Holcomb, a 
native of that city, whose parents also resided in 
the east and spent their last years there. Mr. 
and Mrs. Davidson became the parents of five 
children: Helen M., the eldest, is now the widow 
of W. James Wainwright. of Troy, New York, 
who was a well educated man and during the lat- 
ter part of his life was employed in a railroad of- 
fice in -St. Louis, Missouri, wdiere he was taken ill. 
He died, however, in 1873, at the home of his 
i:)arents in Clinton. Michigan. Mary Davidson, 
the second member of the family, has always re- 
sided in Ann Arbor, and now occupies her father's 
old home here. John, who was also a mason by 
trade, died in Grand Rapids, October 11, 1902, at 
the age of sixty years. George Holcomb, who 
married Jennie Doty, by whom he has three chil- 
dren. Florence H.. Arthur J. and Howard R.. was 
also a builder by trade and carried on business for 
a number of years, after which he removed to 
Grand Rapids. Michigan, where he was awarded 
the contracts for the construction of some of the 
finest buildings of that city, but he is now living 
retired, having accunudated a handsome compe- 
tence which provides him and his family with an 
excellent home and many of the comforts of life. 
Martha Davidson became the wife of Henry L. 
Holbrook. and both are now deceased. 

In his younger years John Lloyd Davidson 
worked with his father until he had mastered the 
builder's trade, after which he went to Syracuse. 
New York, where he followed the same iiursuit. 
Suliscqncnt to his marriage he continued his con- 
nection with building operations there until 1833, 
when he came to Ann Arbor, finding here but a 
small antl unimproved town. However, he be- 
lieved in its future and began working at his 
trade. He built the first county jail here, also as- 
sisted in the construction of the courthouse and 
was employed on many of the other large public 
buildings. He built the medical college of the 
State L^^niversity, the laboratory and other fine 
structures of the city and the importance of the 
contracts awarded him made him one of the lead- 
ing representatives of the builder's art in Ann 
Arbor. He continued in close connection with the 
trade until his death and his labors brought him 




J. L. DAVIDSON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



87 



a gratifying measure of success. At one time he 
was also engaged in mercantile pursuits with 
Hiram Becker, but finding it was taking too much 
time from his other business he sold out. 

He passed away August 6, 1881, respected and 
honored by all who knew him. He had long sur- 
vived his wife, who died August 31, i860. In his 
early days he was a whig and cast his first vote in 
1827. Upon the dissolution of that party, how- 
ever, he joined the ranks of the republican party 
and continued as one of its supporters until his 
demise. He was a member in good standing in 
the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Ann Arbor 
lodge, Xo. 15, A. F. & A. M. He was quiet and 
unostentatious in manner but possessed the indi- 
vidual worth that brings recognition in unquali- 
fied respect. He was well known, being a pioneer 
settler of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county, and 
all who knew him respected him for his fidelity of 
principle. His business interests grew in volume 
and importance as the years went by and he also 
advanced in public regard as his acquaintance 
widened. His son George H. is likewise well 
known in Washtenaw county and is a graduate of 
the high school here. The family is now repre- 
sented in this county by two daughters, Mrs. 
Wainwright and Miss Mary Davidson. After the 
death of her husband the former returned to Ann 
Arbor and she and her sister, Miss Davidson, re- 
side at the old family home, at No. 338 East 
Kingsley street, where they own a nice residence. 
They also have a number of valuable building lots 
near by, for at one time Mr. Davidson was the 
owner of the entire block where the old homestead 
now stands. 



GEORGE W. SAMPLE. 

George W. Sample, engaged in the practice 
of law and also filling the office of the city treas- 
urer of Ann Arbor, was born in Iowa, Julv 4. 
1868. His father, Ezekiel B. Sample, is a native 
of Pennsylvania and is still living in Iowa, where 
he follows the occupation of farming. He mar- 
ried Angeline Frazee, a native of Van Buren 
county, Iowa, and they became the parents of 
eight children, of whom six are living : Stewart 



H., who is part owner and manager of a large 
rice plantation in Louisiana ; George W. ; John C., 
a civil engineer living in New York city, who is 
also president and one-third owner of the stock 
of the Hawkins Iron Construction Company ; 
.\rthur F., who follows agricultural pursuits on 
the old family homestead in Iowa ; Mrs. Mate 
S. Warner, who is the widow of George N. 
Warner, and is living with her parents in Iowa ; 
and Jennie, the wife of Ralph L. Muir, a resident 
farmer of Iowa. 

George W. Sample remained at home until 
seventeen years of age, pursuing his studies in 
the public schools and in the high school at 
Keosauqua, Iowa, where he was graduated with 
the class of 1888. In order to provide for his 
support during that period he engaged in teaching 
in the country schools to some extent. He also 
attended the normal school at Dixon, Illinois, for 
two years and received a teacher's certificate for 
tliat state. Following his graduation he contin- 
ued as a teacher in the district schools until the 
1st of January, 1890, when he was selected by 
the county treasurer of Van Buren county, Iowa, 
to act as his deputy, in which capacity he served 
until 1894, when he was elected county treasurer, 
acting in that office for two terms or four years. 
His successor died shortly after assuming the 
duties of the position and at the urgent request 
of the county supervisors he assumed the va- 
cancy, continuing in the position until the follow- 
ing November, 1898, so that his active connec- 
tion with the office was almost continuous from 
1890 until the fall election of 1898. Upon his 
retirement Mr. Sample came at once to 
Ann Arbor, Michigan, and entered upon a 
law course in the university and was 
graduated with the class of 1901. He 
also pursued a special course in the literary de- 
partment, after which he entered upon active 
practice in this city. In April, 1905, he formed 
a law partnership with Phillip Blum under the 
firm name of Blum & Sample. In the spring of 
the same year he was appointed by Mayor Francis 
M. Hamilton to the office of city treasurer of 
.\nn .\rbor. which position he is now filling, and 
in connection with the duties of the office he is 
continuing in the practice of his jjrofessions. He 



88 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



is interested financially in the Crescent Works, 
naanufacturers of corsets, waists and skirts, in 
Ann Arbor, and also with his father and brother 
in the breeding and raising of fine and thorough- 
bred cattle and horses. 

In politics Mr. Sample has always been a stal- 
wart republican, taking a deep interest in the 
work of the party while living in Iowa, as well 
as since his removal to Ann Arbor, and in addi- 
tion to the offices already mentioned, he is serving 
as circuit court commissioner, to which position 
he was elected in the fall of 1904 for a two years' 
term. He is a member of various Masonic bodies, 
having been made a Mason in Keosauqua, Iowa, 
where he filled various offices in the lodge. He 
is now affiliated with the lodge in Ann Arbor 
and is likewise a member of the Knights of 
Pythias fraternity in Iowa. 

On the I2th of A'ovember, 1891, at Lebanon, 
Iowa, Mr. Sample was married to Miss Ida \^in- 
cent, who was born in that state, and they now 
have two sons : Paul V., a native of Iowa, and 
George W., of Ann .\rbor. Mr. Sample is a 
highly esteemed and worthy citizen, regarded as 
one of the leading spirits here, because of his 
interest and activity in ])olitical affairs, as well 
as in his profession, and his friends hesitate not 
to predict for him a successful future, recogniz- 
ing in him the possession of those qualities — 
energy, ambition and diligence — which always in- 
sure success. 



EUGENE ANDERSON WINES. 

Eugene Anderson Wines, well known as an 
enterprising representative of business interests in 
Ann Arbor, was born in this city, June 30, 1873. 
His paternal grandfather, Daniel Erasmus Wines, 
was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, January 12, 
18 1 2, and afterward went to New York city, 
whence he removed to .\ugusta, Michigan, in 
1837. He and his brother, William W. Wines, 
built a sawmill, and it was during their residence 
there that Abraham Baker Wines, the father of 
our subject, was born on the 26th of ]\Iay, 1843. 
also Charles Augustus Wines, an uncle of our 
subject. From Augusta the family removed to 



Sylvan Center, near Lima, and there purchased 
a farm, which they operated for a few years. 
In 1847 they left Sylvan Center and came to Ann 
Arbor, where Daniel E. Wines built the first 
planing mill standing on the site of Luick Broth- 
ers plant. He had two partners, and the business 
was conducted under the firm name of Wines, 
Mallory & Douglas. After a few years they sold 
(lut the ])laning mill and went into business at 
Walch Station. Finally, returning to Ann Arbor, 
.Mr. Wines became a contracting carpenter of 
this city. He had been married on the 5th of 
December, 1835, 'o Miss Ann Maria Baker, the 
wedding being celebrated at her home at Sag 
Harbor, Long Island. She was born .Vugust 13, 
1 81 7, and died in this city January 11, 1850. 
Mr. Wines afterward married Mrs. Phebe Howell 
Ludlow, a widow, of Bridge Hampton, Long 
Island, on the 31st of October, 1850. She had 
one son, Charles H. Ludlow, by her former mar- 
riage. They returned to Ann Arbor and two 
children Ijlessed this union : Professor Levi D. 
Wines, and Mrs. Annie Hale, of Detroit. 

-Miraham Baker Wines, father of Eug'ene A, 
Wines, accoin])anied his father on his various 
removals, and at the time of his marriage was 
working in the planing mill in this city. When 
the grandfather removed to Walch Station Abra- 
ham 1'). Wines also went with him and worked 
in his stave factory. Sul)se(juently they returned 
and engaged in carpcnting until a few years had 
passed, when the son purchased a span of mules 
and conducted a draying business for about three 
years. He was next associated with Christian 
.\llmendinger in a picture framing business on 
Washington street for a few years, after which 
Mr. Wines resumed carpentering, and is still 
identified with that business. He married Miss 
Juliaett Josephine Wilmot, who was born at Pitts- 
field township, this county, October 2, 1844. 
Her paternal grandfather was Major Tracy B. 
Wilmot, who served as a soldier of the war of 
1812. Her father, Charles Tracy Wilmot, of 
Paris, Oneida county. New York, came to Michi- 
gan in 1835, '1''"' bought a farm in Pittsfield 
township. Two years later he married Harriet 
Anderson, whose father, William Anderson, was 
the first sheriflf of Washtenaw county. On re- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



89 



moving to Ann Arbor .Mr. Wilniot built the first 
brick house in the city, and it stands to-day upon 
tlie original site at the city limits on Packard 
street. He turned his attention to the cabinet- 
making business and later conducted a book store 
in partnership with Schoff, under the firm 
style of Wilmot & Coni|)any. Wliile thus en- 
gaged in merchandising he also became one of the 
directors of the First National Bank, and later 
he disposed of his book store and engaged in the 
banking business under the firm name of Wilmot 
& .Miller. .Subsequently he became interested in 
a number of business concerns and was the i^ro- 
moter of commercial and industrial activity in 
the city, whereby the prosperity of Ann .\rbor 
was largelv advanced, .\fter selling his home on 
LibertN' street he built a house on Washtenaw 
avenue in what had previously been a farm, but 
he divided it into city lots, opened up Wilmot 
street and gave to the city a triangle in front of 
l-'orest Hill cemetery. While living in Pittsfield 
.Mr. \\'ilmot lost his first wife, whose death oc- 
curred in .March. 1850, Jeaving him with one 
child, Juliaett Josephine, who became .Mrs. Wines. 
For his second wife he married Airs. Phoebe Cath- 
erine Watkins, a widow, and to them was born 
a daughter, .\lta E. Wilmot, in 1854, who is now 
a noted portrait artist of Xew York city. After 
their removal to .\nn .\.rl:)or two other children 
were bom to them : Charles, now a resident of 
( Irand Rapids, and Mrs. Caroline Hall, of Chi- 
cago. 

It will thus be seen that Eugene .\nderson 
Wines is descended from two of the old pioneer 
families of this section of the state. Entering 
the public schools at the usual age he passed 
thr(.)ugh successive grades until as a high school 
student he put aside his text-books at the age of 
sixteen \ears. He then went to work for Barker 
brothers, of .\nn .\rbnr, and learned painting 
and decorating, hi the fall of i()oi he entered 
into partnership with Erich Thews, under the 
firm st\le of Wines & Thews, painters, decorators 
and glaziers, located at 537 Third street. In ad- 
dition to their contracting work, and a large pat- 
ronage is accorded them in that line, they engage 
on an extensive scale in the sale of painters' sup- 
plies, oils, colors and also wall paper, and have 



secured a very gratifying patronage in this branch 
of the business. The firm is noted throughout 
the county for its efficiency and integrity and 
their business is constantly increasing. 

On the 20th of April, 1896, Mr. Wines was 
united in marriage to Miss Eva May Blades, a 
daughter of George and Elizabeth Blades, natives 
of England, who settled at Pettysville, Michigan, 
Mr. Wines had one brother, Earnest Wilmot, 
who died of typhoid fever at (jrand Rapids when 
twent>-two years of age, and his only sister, 
Pearl Ethel, died at the age of three years. In 
his fraternal relations Air. Wines is an Odd Fel- 
low and is also a member of the encampment of 
the I. O. O. F. and Modern Woodmen and is 
now the worth}' advisor of the local lodge in 
the latter fraternity. He was elected constable 
of the sixth ward in the spring of 1905 and is 
deeply interested in community affairs along po- 
litical and other lines. He lives in a beautiful 
residence at No. 1358 Geddes avenue. 



J. GEORGE ZWERGEL. 

J. (jeorge Zwergel, a well known and success- 
ful representative of the mercantile interests of 
Ypsilanti, is a native son of Washtenaw county, 
his l)irth having occurred in Freedom township 
on the 22(1 of December, 185T. He is a son of 
John Adam and Alargaret Zwergel, natives of 
Germany, who came to America in early life and 
were married in Philadelphia. In the early "40s 
they made their way westward to Washtenaw 
county, where Air. Zwergel engaged in business 
as a carpenter and joiner and also carried on gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits. He lived to the age 
of seventv-four \ears, while his wife reached the 
age of sevent\-si-x years. They had a family of 
seven children : Alathias, who died in early man- 
hood ; Henry, now living in Chicago ; Mary Ann, 
who died in infancy ; Phillip, wliose home is in 
Niles, Alichigan; J. George, of this review; M. 
Louise, also of Niles, Alichigan ; and Katherine, 
who died at the age of twenty-two years. 

In the district schools Air. Zwergel acquired 
his education and upon the home farm remained 



90 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



until twenty-two years of age, when, thinking 
tliat he would find commercial life more con- 
genial, he secured a clerkship in a grocery store 
in Niles, where he remained for three years. He 
then removed to Tuscola county, where he clerked 
for John C. Liken & Company, representing that 
house at Sehewaing, Huron county, and also at 
Unionville, in Tuscola county. He was in the 
employ of the firm for seventeen and a half years, 
giving strict attention to his business and not 
missing over four days from the store for 
vacation purposes in all that period. Ambitious, 
however, to enter business life on his own ac- 
count he severed his connection with the firm 
with which he had been so long connected, and 
in 1896 bought a vacant lot on Cross street, in 
Ypsilanti, where he erected his present store. It 
is located just opposite the Normal, and he has 
since engaged in the sale of school supplies, sta- 
tionery, books, papers and magazines. He also 
conducts an ice cream parlor and deals in fine 
confectionery and fruits, receiving a liberal pat- 
ronage from the students as well as the towns- 
men. He began the business here in 1896, and 
from the beginning has prospered, enjoying a 
constantly increasing trade. On the 4th of Au- 
gust, 1903, he became connected with the Scharf 
Automatic Smoke Preventor Company, engaged 
in the manufacture of smoke preventors, and is 
the secretary and treasiu'er of the company. He 
is likewise the vice president of the Ypsilanti 
Evening Press. He is thus an active factor in 
business atTairs of the city, his varied industries 
displaying his excellent business force and keen 
discrimination. He is seldom at error in matters 
of business judgment and his careful conduct of 
his interests have made him one of the suljstantial 
citizens of Washtenaw county. 

On the 22d of November, 1875, Mr. Zwergel 
was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Jauch- 
stetter, a native of Niles, Michigan, and a 
daughter of Thomas Jauchstetter. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Zwergel have been born three children ; 
George W., who is a salesman for the Scharf 
Company ; Mary C, who is clerking in her fa- 
ther's store: and Eva M.. who is a milliner. 

Mr. Zwergel usually supports the democratic 
party, but at local elections votes for the candi- 



dates whom he believes best qualified for office, 
and in 1904 cast his ballot for President Roose- 
velt. He has served as alderman of the third 
ward in the years 1902 and 1903, and while a 
member of the council acted as its president. 
During both years he was also chairman of the 
committee on ways and means, and he gave to the 
city efficient service while in public office, thus 
adding to his standing as a business man of ex- 
pedience and public spirited enterprise. He has 
become popular with his fellow townsmen during 
the ten years of his residence in Ypsilanti, having 
a generous nature and genial disposition that have 
gained for him many friends. 



JOHN A. WESSINGER, M. D. 

Dr. Jnhn .V. Wessinger. practicing his profes- 
sion along modern scientific lines, his standing 
with the fraternity of the county being indicated 
by the fact that he is now the president of the ' 
Washtenaw County Medical Society, was born 
at Howell, Michigan, .\ugust 6, i860, his par- 
ents being Joseph and Katherine (Aultmann) 
Wessinger, both of whom were natives of Ba- 
varia, (jermany. In that country the father 
learned and followed the occupation of wagon- 
making, and in the year 1857 '^^ crossed the At- 
lantic to the United States, making his way at 
once to Howell, Michigan. No longer pursuing 
his trade, he turned his attention to agricultural 
interests, settling on a fine farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres near Howell, where he and his 
wife yet reside. This is a valuable property, the 
rich fields returning excellent crops, while his 
chief source of income, perhaps, is his stock-rais- 
ing interests, for he makes a specialty of fine Hol- 
stein cattle. In this he is quite successful, and 
has become widely known as a prominent stock- 
raiser of the county. In the family were ten chil- 
dren, eight of whom are yet living, as follows : 
Dr. Wessinger, of this review; George J., who 
is foreman for the Flint Lumber Company at 
Flint, Michigan ; Frank .\. and Joseph G.. who 
are both living on the old homestead farm, and 
assist their father in the operation and manage- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



93 



nient ; Ben J., an agriculturist, living near the 
old home farm in the vicinity of Howell ; Mar- 
garet, of Ann Arbor : Airs. Elizabeth Durfee, a 
resident of Howell ; and Mrs. Eva Weitbrecht, of 
Plowell. 

Dr. John A. Wessinger, reared under the pa- 
rental roof, began his education in the public 
schools of Howell and passed through successive 
grades until he had completed the high-school 
course by graduation. Determining upon the 
practice of medicine as a life work, he then began 
preparation for his chosen field of labor as a stu- 
dent in the office and under the direction of Dr. 
C V. Beebe, of Howell. He subsequently at- 
tended the Detroit Medical College, in which he 
was matriculated in 1879, ^"d was graduated 
with the class of 1882. He located for practice 
in iiis native city, and while living there he pur- 
sued a non-resident literary course in the Uni- 
versity of Illinois at Bloomington. In 1883 he 
pursued a course in sanitary science under the 
^Michigan state board of health, completing this 
work in 1887. He continued in practice at Ho- 
well until 1891. when he removed to .\nn .Vrbor. 
where he has since remained as an active prac- 
titioneer of medicine and surgery. He is in- 
tensely interested in the study of medical science, 
is a deep and earnest student, and in his work ap- 
plies accurately to the needs of his patients the 
knowledge that he has acquired. He has kept 
in touch with the progress that has characterized 
the profession and maintains a high standard of 
professional ethics. A very extensive patronage 
has been accorded him, and the consensus of 
opinion regarding his skill and ability is very 
favorable. His membership in Ann Arbor Medi- 
cal Club, the Michigan State Aledical Society, the 
American Medical Association and the Missis- 
sippi Valley Medical Society is a means of con- 
tinually broadening his knowledge and promoting 
his efficiency, and his high standing among the 
members of the medical fraternity of Washtenaw 
county is indicated by the fact that he was for- 
merly chosen treasurer of the County Medical So- 
ciety and is now its president. 

In 1882 Dr. Wessinger was united in marriage 
to Miss Clara Wright, of Howell, Michigan, who 
died, leaving three children: Louis I., now a 



shorthand reporter : Harry T.. who is a student in 
the engineering department of the University of 
Michigan ; and Glen J., a student of the high 
school of Ann Arbor. In 1891 Dr. Wessinger 
was again married, his second union being with 
Frances Crawford, of Howell. There are two 
children by this marriage : lone Mary and Helen 
Lois, both of whom are attending the public school 
in Ann Arbor. In 1901 Dr. Wessinger married 
Miss Alice B. Walker, of this city, and they have 
one son, John L., now but a few months old. 

Dr. Wessinger is fraternally connected with 
the Maccabees, and acted as commander of the 
nrder at Howell. His |)olitical allegiance was 
given to the democracy, but the demands of a 
large practice leave him little leisure tiine for 
fraternal or political work. However, he has 
recently been appointed health officer of Ann Ar- 
bor for a term of three years. He has made con- 
tinuous progress in his profession and now, well 
versed in the science of medicine and surgery, his 
life work is proving of value to his fellowmen as 
well as a good source of income that enables him 
to provide a comfortable home for his family. 



ERVIN D.WIS BROOKS, B. S.. -M. D. 

Dr. Ervin Davis Brooks, who as a representa- 
tive of the medical profession has specialized his 
labor, concentrating his eflforts upon opthalmology 
and otology at Ann Arbor, was born in Dundee, 
Monroe county, Michigan, September 6, 1854, 
his parents being William James and Roxana 
Howe (Harris) Brooks, the former a native of 
Canada and the latter of Canandaigua, New York. 
They became residents of Michigan in 1850, set- 
tling upon a farm in Dundee township. Monroe 
countv, where they reared their family of four 
children: Jane A., who died in 1880; Ervin 
Davis: William H.. who died in 1892: and 
George A., who died in 1904. 

Dr. Brooks was left an orphan at the early age 
of thirteen years and is now the only surviving 
member of the family. His preliminary education 
was acquired in the schools of his native town- 
ship, and in the winter of 1871-2 he was 



94 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



a student in the high school at Monroe, Michigan. 
In 1872 he matriculated in the Michigan Agricul- 
tural College, from which he graduated in 1876, 
and during the succeeding six years his attention 
was devoted to the profession of teaching. He 
was a very popular and successful teacher, im- 
parting clearly and readily to others the knowl- 
edge he had accjuired, but he regarded this merely 
as an initial step to other professional labor, it 
being his desire to become a member of the medi- 
cal profession, and when his labors in the school- 
room had supplied him with capital sufficient to 
meet the expenses of a college course he enrolled 
as a student in the University of Michigan, in 
1882, completing the regular course in homeo- 
pathic medicine with the class of 1885. 

Dr. Brooks located for practice at Flushing. 
Michigan, where he remained for ten years, or 
until 1895. In the meantime his attention had 
been given to general medicine and surgery, but 
his deep interest in opthalmology and otology 
had been awakened, and in 1895 1'"^ became a 
specialist on diseases of the eye and ear. His ex- 
cellent qualifications for this branch of the medical 
science were acquired in the Chicago Eye, Ear, 
Nose and Throat College, from which he was 
graduated in 1898. He has also taken two post- 
graduate courses in the Manlitittan Eye and Ear 
Infirmary, and his theoretical knowledge was sup- 
plemented by broad' practical training during his 
service of one term as clinical assistant in the New 
York Opthalmic College and Hosjjital in 1903. 
He is a member of the ^lichigan State Homeo- 
pathic Medical Society and the American Homeo- 
pathic Opthalmological, Otological and Laryngo- 
logical Society. He is likewise an honorary mem- 
ber of the Saginaw \'alley Homeopathic Medical 
Society. He has splendidly equipped offices at 
the corner of Main and Washington streets, and 
his patients come from a wide territory. 

Dr. Brooks was married March 31, 1878. to 
Miss Ella R. Dunlap, of South Lyon, Michigan, 
and they were the parents of two sons : William 
Don, a practicing physician at Leslie, Michigan, 
and Arthur E., who has recently returned from 
the Philippines after active service there in the 
United States army. Dr. Brooks' wife died in 
1885 and he was again married on the 25th of 



Ala}-, 1887, to Miss Gertrude Lawrence, of Flor- 
ence, Michigan, and they have three children : 
Ervene R., thirteen years of age ; George Law- 
rence, a youth of eight years ; and Mary Eliza- 
beth, one year of age. 

Dr. Brooks is an active worker in the Presby- 
terian church, in which he is serving as deacon. 
Having a good baritone voice he began singing 
in choirs and choruses at the age of nineteen 
years and directed the choir at Flushing for nine 
years. When a student at Ann Arbor he joined 
the Choral L'nion and is now a member of the 
board of directors of that organization. He also 
leads the singing in the Presbyterian Sunday- 
scliool, and he pla3S both the flute and violin. 
The Doctor is a man who ])Ossesses that <|uality, 
which, for want of a better term, we have called 
personal magnetism, and which analyzeil, perhaps, 
is found to be composed of a strong intellectu- 
ality, a ready sympathy and a deep interest in 
one's fellowmen. Ijecause of humanitarian princi- 
ples. He is popular and prominent, his social 
position being the result of an irreproachable pri-' 
\'ate life, while his ijrofessional standing is the 
outcome of most careful preparation, close ap- 
plication and a conscientious understanding of the 
obligation which devolve upon him in this con- 
nection. 



HON. JAMES S. GORMAN. 

Hon. James S. Gorman has the distinction of 
being the only democrat that has ever represented 
this county in congress in forty years. .Since his 
return from the national legislative halls, he has 
made his home in Chelsea and is today one of the 
representative citizens of Washtenaw county, 
whose course has reflected honor and credit upon 
the state that has honored him. I fe was born 
in L\ndon township, this county, December 28, 
1850. His father, Peter Gorman, was a native of 
County Down, Ireland, born in 1816, and a son 
of Edv\'ar(l Gorman of ■■98 fame,"' who served as 
a lieutenant in the Irish rebellion, and on being 
released from prison left his native country, bui 
did not come to America until 1832. Two years 
later he took up his abode in Washtenaw county. 




JAMES S. GORMAN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



97 



In his native land he had married Ruth Johnson, 
and to them were born five children : Edward. 
James, Peter, Mary and Jane. On reaching this 
county Edward Gorman, the father, took up land 
from the government, securing one hundred and 
sixty acres on section 26, Lyndon township. 

Peter Gorman was a youth of eighteen years 
when, with his parents, he became a resident of 
Washtenaw county. In 1840 he was married to 
Miss Katherine Conlon, a daughter of John and 
Mary Conlon, who were pioneer people of North- 
field township, where they took up their abode in 
1834, coming to Michigan from County Caven, 
Ireland. Following his marriage Mr. Gorman 
settled on eighty acres of the quarter section 
which his father had entered in Lyndon township, 
and as his financial resources increased, he added 
to his original property until three hundred and 
sixty acres were comprised within the boundaries 
of his home farm. He was an enterprising and 
prosperous agriculturist, and in matters of citi- 
zenship ever stood for progress and improve- 
ment. He died in the year 1886, while his wife 
survived until 1903, passing away at the age of 
eighty-six years. In their family were five chil- 
dren : Edward, Peter and James S., who are 
living : and Mary and Katherine, deceased. 

Hon. James S. Gorman began his education in 
a log school house in the home district and after- 
ward attended the Chelsea high school, from 
which he was graduated in the class of 1873, and 
then entered the law department of the Universitv 
of Michigan, completing the latter course with 
the class of 1876. Admitted to the bar. he entered 
upon the active practice of his profession in Jack- 
son, Michigan, in the ofiice of James A. Parkin- 
son, the present circuit judge, with whom he re- 
mained for two years as assistant prosecuting at- 
torney. In November, 1879, ^^ went to Dexter, 
where he opened an office and the following year 
was elected from the third district of Washtenaw 
county to the lower house of the Michigan legis- 
lature. He has since figured prominently in po- 
litical circles, wielding a wide influence in the 
rank of the democracy. In 1886 he was nomi- 
nated in the tenth district, comprising Washte- 
naw and Monroe counties, for the state senate 
and was elected in that vear and again in 1888. 



In i8go he received his party's nomination for 
congress, and defeated Captain Allen by a ma- 
jority of nineteen hundred and three. In the 
redistricting of the state, Jackson county was 
placed in the second district and Mr. Gorman was 
nominated against James O'Donnell, the present 
member of the third district. This was one of 
the hottest congressional contests that has ever 
been waged in Michigan. In the second district 
he was elected by a majority of six hundred and 
sixty-seven votes. While in congress for the 
first term he became a member of the military 
committee on the death of McDonald, of New 
Jersey, by order of Speaker Crisp. He thus be- 
came very closely associated with the members of 
that committee, including General Daniel E. 
Sickles, General Joseph Wheeler, General John 
C. Black, General Curtis, General Marsh and 
General Hull, of Iowa, and the last named was 
chairman of the committee during the Spanish- 
American war. In the fifty-third congress he was 
in the third place on the military afl^airs commit- 
tee that had charge of all the forts, posts and mil- 
itary reservations of the United States. He it 
was who made the report of Jefferson Barracks 
military reservation, the history of which dates 
back to 1803. Of the many reports establishing 
the lines and rights of the government during 
the last forty years, this line is the only one voted 
on by the house and concurred in by the senate. 
Mr. Gorman was also on the sub-committee that 
had charge of and looked over the records of the 
old soldiers. While acting with the minority 
party his influence was nevertheless strongly felt 
in congressional circles, and that he made a most 
creditable record, is indicated by the strong 
friendships and personal regard which he won 
while serving in the council chambers of the na- 
tion. 

Following his retirement from congress, Mr. 
Gorman purchased a residence in Chelsea, where 
he has since resided, and in 1903 he entered upon 
the practice of law here. He is also the owner 
of a farm of four hundred and eighty acres of 
valuable land, lying in Lyndon township, from 
which he derives a gratifying income. For three 
years he has served as president of the public 
school board, and is now the moving spirit for 



98 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the erection of a handsome parochial school. He 
is deepl_v interested in community as well as state 
and national affairs. 

In 1887 was celebrated the marriage of James 
S. Gorman and Miss Nellie E. liingham. of Dun- 
dee, a daughter of L. D. and Harriett A. (Ed- 
wards) Bingham, of an old family of Lenawee 
county. They have two children : Galbraith 
Peter, born July 16, 1889; and Agnes Harriett, 
born December 20, 1894. Mr. Gorman is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic church, and in politics is a 
democrat. In his business career he has so di- 
rected his efforts that success has attended his 
labors, and he is today one of the substantial citi- 
zens of the county. He made many warm friend- 
ships while serving in congress, and moreover, his 
course was marked by a public-spirited devotion 
to the general good and a loyalty to principle that 
is above question. 



WILLIAM C. CLARK. 

William C. Clark, agent for the Michigan Cen- 
tral Railroad at Dexter, was born in Homer, 
New York, on the 9th of September, 1858, and 
was educated in the public schools. His parents 
were Rev. Charles A. and Mary A. (Cobb) 
Clark, the former born at Waterville, New York, 
on the 19th of September, 181 5, and the latter 
at Auburn, New York, on the 3d of January, 
1827. The father pursued his education at Ham- 
ilton, New York, in what is known at the present 
time as Colgate University, and for nearly fifty 
years was an active member of the Baptist min- 
istry. He lost his wife at Delphi, Indiana, on 
the 13th of October, 1874, while his death occur- 
red at Dexter, Michigan, on the 23d of Novem- 
ber, 1896, when he had reached the venerable 
age of eighty-one years. Thus closed a life of 
great usefulness, but the good which he did still 
remains as a potent influence in the lives and 
hearts of many who knew him. Only one son 
and one daughter of the family are yet living: 
William C. and Mary L., the latter principal of 
the schools at Huntington, Indiana. 



William C. Clark spent his early youth in his 
parents' home, and at the age of seventeen years 
was called upon to support his mother and the 
family on account of the father's ill health. He 
began teaching in a country school, being thus 
engaged through the winter season, after which 
he entered the service of the Michigan Central 
Railroad Company as bill clerk, and has been in 
the office continually since. For twenty-seven 
years he has represented the company at Dexter, 
and for eighteen years has been agent at this 
place. No higher testimonial of his capability, 
fidelity and efficiency could be given than the fact 
that he has been so long retained in one service. 
As agent he is not only loyal to the interests of 
the corporation, but is found a most obliging and 
courteous official and has therefore won favor 
with the traveling public. 

On the 26th of November, 1885, ^t Dexter, Mr. 
Clark was married to Miss Carrie L. Smith, a 
datighter of Oliver M. and Louise (Merrian) 
Smith, both of whom were natives of Vermont, 
whence they came to Michigan at an early day. 
The father engaged in merchandising in Dexter 
for more than thirty years and was regarded as 
one of the old reliable business men of the town, 
respected by all for his honorable life and straight- 
forward business dealings. In his family were 
five children: Jennie A., now the wife of W. I. 
Keal, of Dexter; Carrie L., now Mrs. Clark; 
Anita, the deceased wife of E. M. Walker ; Charles 
S. Smith, of Dexter; and Frank H. Smith, of 
Chicago. Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have be- 
come the parents of three sons : Louis D., born 
October 28. 1886: Charles Irving, born August 
28, i888: and William Morton, who was born 
March Ji. 1890, and died May 10, 1892. 

In community affairs Mr. Clark has taken an 
active and helpful interest and has rendered effi- 
cient service to Dexter as president of the village 
board and also as recorder. He has voted for 
each presidential nominee of the republican party 
since attaining his majority and has firm faith in 
the principles of this great political organization. 
A valued and popular member of various fra- 
ternities, he was at one time commander of Crys- 
tal tent. No. 279, K. O. T. M., captain general 
of LTnion Division, No. "]"], K. L. G., noble grand 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



99 



of Huron lodge. Xo. 30, I. O. O. F.. and is now a 
trustee of Washtenaw lodge. No. 65, A. F. & A. 
AI. He is also a trustee of the First Congrega- 
tional church. \\'hile there have been no excit- 
ing chapters in his life history he has found in 
the duties of the work-a-day world ample oppor- 
tunitv for the exercise of his talents and energy, 
and in the faithful performance of each task that 
has come to him in his business career ; in citi- 
zenship and in social and home life he has gained 
the respect and good will of his fellowmen. 



ALBERT FIEGEL. 



Albert Fiegel, a member of the firm of Reule, 
Cnnlin & Fiegel, clothiers, of Ann Arbor, was 
born in Pittsfield township, Washtenaw county, 
Michigan, December 31, 1873, his parents being 
John and Kunigunda (Lambarth) Fiegel. The 
falther was a prosperous farmer, who came from 
Germany to America in his boyhood days, and 
for over thirty-two years was a resident of Pitts- 
field township, where he conducted extensive in- 
terests as an agriculturist. He was perhaps the 
best known farmer of his county, carrying on 
his business along modern lines of progress and 
improvement, his place being unsurpassed, be- 
cause of the care and labor which he bestowed 
upon it. He held membership in the Zion Luth- 
eran church, in which he served as deacon, and 
his life was actuated by principles that neither 
sought nor required disguise. In his family were 
nine children, but the eldest died at birth. The 
others are : Fred C, who is married and living 
on a farm in Scio township ; Lydia C, the wife 
of Enoch Dieterle, a prosperous undertaker of 
Ann Arbor ; John E,, who is married and lives 
upon the homestead farm in Pittsfield township ; 
George W., who is married and carries on farm- 
ing in Scio township ; Jacob, deceased ; Albert, 
of this review ; Mary C, the wife of John Saner, 
of the firm of Sauer & Company, architects of 
Ann Arbor; and Emma, the wife of Ernest Wur- 
ster, of this city. 

Albert Fiegel spent his youth upon his father's 
farm, and in the district schools of Pittsfield town- 



ship pursued his early education, while in the 
period of vacations his time and energies were 
devoted to the work of the fields. He afterward 
enjoyed the privilege of instruction in a (rerman 
school in Ann Arbor, and he entered upon his 
business career as a clerk in the employ of Wad- 
ham, Kennedy & Reule. For five vears he re- 
mained with that house, gaining- an excellent 
knowledge of the business, both in principle and 
detail, and working his way steadily upward until 
he was admitted to a partnership, and is now 
actively interested in the management and owner- 
ship of the business under the firm style of Reule, 
Conlin & Fiegel. 

Mr. Fiegel was married in 1900, to Miss Han- 
nah M. Stein, of Ann Arbor township, and they 
have two daughters, Gertrude Christina and Lu- 
cile Kunigunda. Mr. Fiegel is an active worker 
in the Zion Lutheran church, and for many years 
has been a teacher in the Sunday-school, while 
of the young peoples' society he is a charter mem- 
ber. His political views accord with the princi- 
ples of democracy, but he has had no aspiration 
for public office as a reward for party fealty. 
His business career is in all ways honorable and 
commendable. From humble clerkships have 
come many of our most prominent merchants, 
and often those whose youth is spent among un- 
favorable conditions are found in later years in 
control of the great arteries and exchanges of 
traffic. Mr. Fiegel is one whose history is indi- 
cative of the positions that lie before men in the 
new world as a utilization of the advantages which 
surround all have made him one of the repre- 
sentative merchants of Ann Arbor. 



TOiM W. MINGAY. 



Tom W. Mingay, editor and proprietor of the 
Chelsea Herald, was liorn at Shepreth, in Cam- 
bridgeshire, England, on the 2d of January, 1855, 
and is a son of James T. and Jane (Grey) Min- 
gay. The father was what is known as a gentle- 
man farmer, but when a young man turned his 
attention to railroading. He afterward abandoned 
that line of business activity-, however, and gave 



lOO 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



his attention to agricultural pursuits in England 
until 1869, when, crossing the Atlantic to Canada, 
he established his home at Stratford, Ontario, 
where he is now living at the age of eighty-four 
years. 

Tom W. Mingay acquired his education in 
England mostly under ])rivate tutors, this being 
the foundation of his present literary ability. 
He was the eldest in a family of six children, and 
was a youth of fourteen years when the family 
crossed the Atlantic to AmeVica. He entered 
upon his business career in Montreal as an em- 
ploye in a newspaper office, and subsequently fol- 
lowed the business in Stratford, Ontario. On 
the 1st of February, 1870, he entered the office 
of the Stratford Beacon, in which he remained 
until March 23, 1876, and during that time 
gained a complete mastery of the business in prin- 
ciple and detail. Then owing to ill health he 
made a trip to Europe, traveling through Eng- 
land, France and Germany. He spent six months 
abroad, viewing many places of historic and 
scenic interest in those different countries. In 
December, 1876, he returned to Canada, purchas- 
ing the West Durham News, edited at Bowman- 
ville, Ontario. In this enterprise he was for part 
of the time a partner of J. W. Wilkinson, after- 
ward buying him out, in all conducting the News 
for a year and a half, after which he sold out. 
In May. 1878, he became manager of the Wing- 
ham Times, at Wingham, Ontario, which he con- 
ducted until 1881. On the 8th of January of 
that year he came to Flint, Michigan, where he 
worked as foreman of the Globe job room for 
seven years. During the last year of his resi- 
dence in Flint he was engaged in the job print- 
ing business for himself. In January, 1888, he 
removed to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was fore- 
man of the Gazette job room there for eighteen 
months. In July, 1889, he came to Washtenaw 
county and, settling in Ann Arbor, acted as fore- 
man of the Register Publishing Company for 
sixteen months, when he accepted a position with 
the Aim Arbor Times. On the ist of April, 1895, 
he entered into partnership with Samuel W. 
Beakes, as local editor and manager of the Ann 
Arbor Argus, with which he was associated until 
1898, when he severed his connection with that 



join-nal and purchased the Chelsea Herald, which 
he has since owned and edited. He has made this 
a very readable newspaper, and it now has a wide 
circulation and is a good advertising medium. 

On the 1st of July, 1878, Mr. Mingay was mar- 
r'ed to Miss Mary J. Dustan, of Bowmanville, 
( ')ntario, and they have one daughter, Nellie D., 
who is a graduate of the Ann Arbor high school 
and also of the Michigan University of the class 
of 1900, being thus a well educated young lady 
of superior intellectual culture as well as natural 
refinement. 

Mr. Mingay exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the republican party and advocates its 
principles through the columns of his paper. He 
is a Mason, having been initiated into the order 
in Flint lodge. No. 23, F. & A. M., while his 
membership is now in Olive lodge. No. 156. He 
is also connected with the Knights of Pythias. 
In comnnuiity interests in Chelsea he takes an ac- 
tive and helpful part, supporting the various 
measures that have for their object the welfare 
and advancement of the village and of the county. 



CHARLES E. GODFREY. 

Denied in his youth many of the advantages 
and privileges which most boys enjoy, starting out 
in life for himself at an early age. Charles E. 
Godfrey, realizing that labor is the true basis of 
all desirable and honorable success, has worked 
so jiersistently and energetically that to-day he is 
in control of an extensive carting business and is 
also proprietor of a large storage warehouse in 
Ann Arbor. His life history therefore can not 
fail to prove of interest to our readers who have 
regard for the sure reward of character and for 
the dignity of labor. 

Mr. Godfrey was born in Plymouth, Michigan, 
August 26, 1850, his parents being Charles A. 
and Amelia (Hoyt) Godfrey, both of whom were 
natives of the state of New York. The father 
was a carpenter and joiner and followed that pur- 
suit for many years. In later life he gave his at- 
tention to farming at Highland and subsequently 
in Cedar Springs township, Kent county, Michi- 







2^ 




PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



los 



gan. There his death occurred when he was sev- 
enty-four }-ears of age, while his wife passed away 
in Lima township, Washtenaw county, at the age 
of thirty-two years. They were the parents of 
tive children, of whom Charles E. is the second in 
order of hirth. The others yet living are Frances ; 
William B., who resides in Bay City, Michigan ; 
and Edwin A., of New York city. 

Charles E. Godfrey went to Oakland county, 
Michigan, in early life and at the age of nineteen 
years ma;de his way into the pine woods, where 
he engaged in cutting timber for two years. He 
then located in the town of Highland, Oak- 
land county, where he resided until his mar- 
riage, when he rented a farm, giving his attention 
to its cultivation and improvement for three years. 
Later he sold out and removed to Kansas, settling 
at Girard, Crawford county, but because the cli- 
mate and water did not agree with his family he 
returned to Michigan and took up his abode in 
Ypsilanti, where he secured a situation with the 
Homer Briggs dray line. Later he engaged in 
farming in the employ of different people until 
June, 1881, when he came to Ann Arbor, where 
he worked as a laborer for the Ann Arbor Rail- 
road Company on the gravel trains. He soon be- 
came discouraged at this, however, seeing little 
opportunity for advancement and success, so he 
gave his due card (for pay due him by the rail- 
road company) for a horse and dray and turned 
his attention to the draying business. With this 
small start he has worked upward to his present 
position and is now one of the successful and sub- 
stantial residents of Ann Arbor. His advance- 
ment has been secured through close application, 
unremitting diligence and earnest desire to please 
his patrons. He has thus obtained a good patron- 
age and paying business, now using twenty horses 
in his trucking business. He moves anything, 
having all kinds of wagons for heavy work. He 
makes a specialty of weighty articles and furniture 
moving. He likewise commenced in a small way 
to do a storage warehouse business some years 
ago and, seeing a bright outlook for good results 
in that line, he kept extending his efforts, renting 
first one place and then adding another, his busi- 
ness growing with such rapidity that in 1899 he 
built a large two story and basement brick build- 
6 



ing for a warehouse at 410 Fourth avenue. North. 
This building is 63 x 63 feet, but he found it still 
inadequate for the trade and in 1904 added an- 
other story. It has over one hundred small rooms 
for individual use, besides a very large room. It 
is all thoroughly constructed, so that rugs, pianos 
and other valuable furniture can be stored with 
safety here and in the basement and upper floors 
there is extensive space for very large articles. 
The building is fire proof and is supplied with all 
modern equipments, including an electric elevator 
whereon a truck can be placed, so that the goods 
can be unloaded in the space designated as their 
repository. This is the only storage warehouse of 
the kind in the city. 

In 1893 Mr. Godfrey built his present home at 
the corner of Fourth avenue. North, and Kingsley 
street. In the rear is a well ventilated and com- 
modious barn and sheds for his manv horses. He 
is also agent for the Standard Oil Company, 
which he has represented since 1889 and he now 
has two tank wagons, one for the city and one 
for the country trade. He has been very success- 
ful and deserves it all because he has been a hard 
working man. 

In 1873 Mr. Godfrey was married to Harriet L. 
Barrows, a native of Rochester, Michigan, and a 
daughter of Henry Barrows. They have two 
sons and a daughter. The eldest, Homer B., born 
in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1878, is now associated 
with his father in the storage warehouse and 
trucking business in Ann Arbor. He married 
Donna V. Weissenger, a native of Saline, and 
they have one child, Dama Adelaide, who was 
born in Ann Arbor, October i, 1903. Effie God- 
frey, born in Ann Arbor in 1881, completed the 
literary course in the University of Michigan 
with the class of 1903 and for the past two years 
has been a teacher in the high school at Houghton, 
Michigan. Ernest E., born in Ann Arbor in 
1884, is at home. 

Mr. Godfrey and his elder son are members of 
Golden Rule lodge, A. F. & A. M., also the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Mr. Godfrey 
of this review has held various ofifices in the latter 
and at this writing is its financial secretary. He 
is also a member of the Knights of the Macca- 
bees and the Royal Arcanum, while his political 



io6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASH lEXAW COUNTY. 



support is given to the republican party. He 
stands to-day as a self-made man, deserving all 
the praise that that term implies and as the archi- 
tect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and 
well. 



WILLIAM W. WEDEMEYER. 

William W. Wedemeyer is one of the younger 
representatives of the legal fraternity in Ann Ar- 
bor. There is no profession in which advance- 
ment depends so largely upon individual merit as 
in the law. and the fact that Mr. Wedemeyer is 
now accorded a liberal and distinctly represent- 
ative clientage is an indication of his excellent 
qualification for legal practice. He is a native 
son of Washtenaw county, born March 22, 1873. 
His father, Frederick Wedemeyer. was a native 
of Lilientlial, Ciermany, and came to .\merica as 
the business representative of his brother, Theo- 
dore, who was an extensive dealer in sugar and 
tobacco. He acted in this capacity in the West 
Indies and North and South America. He was 
a man of superior education, speaking fluently 
several languages and traveled extensively, visit- 
ing almost every known portion of the world and 
gaining the knowledge and culture which only 
travel can bring. He was married in this country 
to Miss Augusta Gruner, a native of Germany, 
and in 1855 he settled on a farm in Lima town- 
ship, Washtenaw county, Michigan, near Chelsea, 
where he carried on agricultural pursuits through- 
out his remaining days, his death occurring in 
1885, when he was fifty-seven years of age. His 
political allegiance was given to the republican 
party and he was actively interested in township 
and county affairs, co-operating in many measures 
for the general good. He served as director of 
schools in Lima township for a number of years, 
and was always interested in anything that tended 
to promote intellectual development. In his fam- 
ily were a daughter and three sons : Mrs. Nellie 
Klein, the wife of Jacob Klein, of Lima town- 
ship, and twin sister of the subject of this review : 
Fred and Theodore, who reside at Chelsea; and 
William W. 

In the district schools William W. Wedemeyer 



acquired his early education and was graduated 
from the Ann Arbor high school with the class 
of 1890. Afforded superior educational privi- 
leges, he entered upon the literary course in the 
University of Michigan, which he completed by 
graduation in 1894, and then took up the study 
of law, being granted his degree in that depart- 
ment in 1895. Through the two succeeding years 
he filled the position of commissioner of schools 
of Washtenaw county, and in 1897 and 1898 was 
deputy railroad commissioner of Michigan. In 
the latter year he was a candidate for the nomina- 
tion for congress before the republican congres- 
sional convention, but was defeated by a small 
majority, and was again a prominent candidate for 
that office in 1902, but he threw his strength to 
Hon. Charles E. Townsend, the present congress- 
man of this district. Upon his retirement from 
office Mr. Wedemeyer formed a partnership with 
Martin J. Cavanaugh, who is mentioned elsewhere 
in this work, and the firm of Cavanaugh & Wede- 
meyer has had a continuous and prosperous ex- 
istence since the first of January, 1899. They 
liave been accorded a liberal patronage and the 
records of the courts show that they have been 
connected with much of the important litigation 
of the district. In 1905 Mr. Wedemeyer was 
ai)pointed by President Roosevelt to the position 
of United States consul to Georgetown, British 
Guiana, and left that place in April, but 
returned to .\nn Arbor on the 3d of July, having 
resigned because the climate was so detrimental 
to his health. He was taken ill almost immedi- 
ately after his arrival there, suffering with fever, 
so that he had to be sent to the hospital, where 
he remained until starting for home, going from 
the hospital to the ship on which he returned to 
the United States. He immediately entered upon 
his law practice again upon his return. Mr. 
Wedemeyer is also interested in various business 
enterprises. He is first vice-president and one 
of the directors of the Glazier Stove Company, 
one of the leading manufacturing institutions of 
this part of the state, and has for some years acted 
as counsel for the company. In former years he 
had some extensive experience in newspaper work 
and is now president of the Ann Arbor News 
Publishing Company. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



107 



Mr. Wedemeyer gave proof of the elemental 
strength and force of his character by the deter- 
mination which he displayed in acquiring an edu- 
cation. While attending the university he en- 
gaged both in teaching and in newspaper work 
in order to help pay his way through the school. 
He has always been active in politics, interested 
in the vital questions of the day from his youth, 
and reading so extensively that he has since at- 
taining his majority been able to support his posi- 
tion by strong and intelligent argument. He has 
done much campaign work in behalf of both the 
state and national tickets, and has also done much 
public speaking along educational and other lines 
throughout the state. 

On the 9th of January, 1901, Mr. Wedemeyer 
was married to Miss Louise Locher, of Kala- 
mazoo, Michigan, a daughter of Bernard and 
Sarah (Robisclumg) Locher. They now have 
one son, George Edward, who was born in Ann 
Arbor, July 7, 1902. Mr. Wedemeyer is one 
of the national trustees of the American Insur- 
ance Union, a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Ger- 
man Bethlehem Evangelical church, while his wife 
holds membership in St. Thomas Catholic church. 
Prompted by laudable ambition and unfaltering 
determination, Mr. Wedemeyer has steadily 
worked his way upward, and his position in pro- 
fessional and social circles in .\nn Arbor is an 
enviable one. 



CHARLES H. WORDEN. 

Qiarles H. Worden, a retired merchant, who 
for over forty years was engaged in business in 
-Ann Arbor, sustaining a reputation that made 
his name an honored one throughout the com- 
munity, was born in Rochester, New York, in 
May, 1826. His father, Weed Hicks Worden, 
was a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and died 
in the Empire state. A manufacturer of 
woolen goods, for several years he enjoyed 
a lucrative business in the city of Roches- 
ter, He later removed to Onondaga county. 
New York, where his last days were passed. 



his death occurring in 1836. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Hannah Smith, and was 
a daughter of Elam Smith, who was of English 
descent, as are the Wordens. The ancestors from 
whom our subject is descended came from 
England on the Mayflower to escape the religious 
persecution of the time and made settlement in 
New England with the Plymouth colony, where 
they enjoyed the privilege of worshiping accord- 
ing to the dictates of their own consciences. Fol- 
lowing the death of her first husband Mrs. 
\\'orden became the w'ife of Horace Coy, of Wash- 
tenaw county, Michigan, having removed to this 
county with her children in 1837. She lived here 
until her death, which occurred in October, 1889, 
when she had reached the extreme old age of 
eighty-six years. Upon reaching Michigan she 
built a log cabin in the midst of the green woods, 
in .Vnn Arljor township, later removed to North- 
field township and subsequently to Ann Arbor. 
In the family were four children, of whom Charles 
H. is the eldest. 

Charles H. Worden remained with his mother 
until twelve years of age, when ambitious to earn 
his own living he started out to work by the 
month as a farm hand. He also followed other 
pursuits that he could secure and through the 
winter months he attended school. The periods 
of vacation, however, were devoted to various 
kinds of labor and after attaining his majority 
he became a salesman in a general store in Ann 
Arbor. He entered the einploy of H. Becker & 
Company, and continued with the house through 
the various changes of the firm until 1863, when 
he purchased an interest in the business that up 
to the time of Mr. Becker's death was conducted 
under the firm style of Wines & Knight. Mr. 
Worden purchased Mr. Hiscock's interest and the 
firm style of Wines & Worden was then assumed 
and they then conducted a general dry goods store, 
which they conducted successfully until 1889, 
when Mr. Wines departed this life. Mr. Worden 
had been connected with him as salesman and 
partner for forty years and after his death con- 
tinued the business alone until 1891, when he 
closed out his store and retired from active com- 
mercial pursuits with a very gratifying compe- 
tency. In the meantime he had made judicious 



io8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



investment in various interests and his attention 
is now given only to their supervision. He was 
for many years a prominent and leading factor in 
the business circles of the city. He became one 
of the organizers and charter members of the Ann 
Arbor Savings Bank, and is still one of its direct- 
ors. Throughout his long connection with com- 
mercial and financial interests here he has main- 
tained an unassailable reputation for business in- 
tegrity as well as activity and enterprise and his 
record is one which any man might be proud to 
possess. He has never incurred obligations that 
he has not met nor made engagements that he has 
not filled and he has always enjoyed the unquali- 
fied confidence and trust of his business contem- 
poraries and of the general public. 

In 1852 Mr. Worden was united in marriage 
to Miss Anna M. Leland, who was born in Madi- 
son county. New York, and is a daughter of 
Joshua G. Leland, and a sister of Judge E. E. 
Leland, represented elsewhere in this work. ]\[r. 
and Mrs. Worden had five sons, of whom one 
died in infancy and one in later years. The others 
are as follows: Dr. Arthur L., a graduate of the 
L^niversity of ^Michigan, and a successful practi- 
tioner of Detroit, married Miss Carrie B. Hutch- 
ins, a sister of Professor Hutchins of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, and they became the parents 
of one daughter, Anna B., who is now the wife 
of M. W'orden Taylor. Clinton E., a graduate of 
the pharmaceutical department of the University 
of Michigan, and is now engaged in the drug and 
real-estate business in San Francisco, California, 
married Evelyn Town Shaw, and they have one 
child. Nelson. William W., who is with his 
brother Clinton in California, married Minnie 
Russ, and they have three children, Clinton, Hel- 
ene and Frances. 

Li politics Mr. Worden is a stalwart republican 
but has never sought or desired office. He be- 
longs to the Methodist church, in which he has 
been active for many years, holding therein vari- 
ous official positions. He has now almost reached 
the eightieth milestone on life's journey and is 
one of the most respected citizens of Ann Arbor, 
enjoying the confidence and esteem of young and 
old, rich and poor. His life record, too, stands in 
exemplification of the opportunities which Amer- 



ica affords her citizens and should serve as an in- 
centive and source of emulation to those who have 
begun life as he did, without capital, depending 
entirely upon their own exertions for advance- 
ment. With no pecuniary advantages at the out- 
set of his career his labors brought him a capital 
that enabled him to enter the field of mercantile 
activity and his perseverance, straightforward 
dealing and strong determination proved the foun- 
dation upon which he builded his later success. 



ROYAL SAMUEL COPELAND, M. D. 

Dr. Rov^l Samuel Copeland, one of the dis- 
tinguished representatives of the medical fra- 
ternity in Michigan and to-day the youngest 
professor in the University of Ann Arbor, is 
at the head of the eye and ear department, was 
president of the Saginaw Valley Medical Society, 
of the Michigan State Medical Society and of 
the American Eye and Ear Society. He was 
born in Dexter, Michigan, November 7. 1868, 
his parents being Roscoe and Frances (Holmes) 
Copeland. The father was a pioneer of Dexter, 
Michigan, as was the Holmes family, who came 
in 1825. The Copelands, found in New England 
at an early period in the colonization of the new 
world, were originally of English lineage, the 
first representatives of the name in this country 
being Lawrence and Lydia Copeland, who ar- 
rived in 1650. The characteristic family patriot- 
ism and loyalty were manifest in active service in 
the Revolutionary war by the great-grandfather 
and by service in the war of 1812 by represent- 
atives of the name. Samuel Copeland, the grand- 
father, arrived in Michigan in 1850, when his 
son, Roscoe Copeland, was about twelve years 
of age. The latter acquired a common school 
education in Washtenaw county, subsequently 
turned his attention to farming, which he fol- 
lowed for some time and then entered the milling 
business. He yet continues in the grain trade at 
Dexter, being one of the representative business 
men there. He is sixty-seven years of age and 
has been a resident of this county for fifty-five 
years. In the family were three children, of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



109 



whom one died in infancy, while the sister is 
Cornelia, a teacher in the Central hig-h school 
of Detroit. The Holmes family was established 
in Washtenaw county by Samuel Holmes, the 
maternal grandfather of Dr. Copeland, who ar- 
rived about 1825 and located on a tract of gov- 
ernment land in Scio township where he spent 
his remaining days, dying in 1889. 

Royal S. Copeland attended the public schools 
of Dexter, from which he was graduated on the 
completion of the regular high school course and 
later entered the State Normal School at Ypsi- 
lanti whicli his mother had attended twenty-five 
years before. He pursued the literary course in 
the latter institution and for one winter engaged 
in teaching school. Following his graduation, 
however, he matriculated in the medical depart- 
ment of the Michigan State University at Ann 
Arbor and was trraduated in the class of i^ 



The following year he was house surgeon in the 
university hospital and at the same time was as- 
sistant to the chair of diseases of the eye and 
ear. On the expiration of that year he went to 
Bay City, Michigan, where he practiced as a 
specialist on the diseases of the eye and ear for 
five years. He was then called lack to the uni- 
versity to accept the professorship of diseases of 
the eye and ear. occupying this chair continu- 
ously since 1895. In 1896 he spent sometime 
abroad, pursuing post graduate work in Eng- 
land, France, Germany and Switzerland. At 
another time he spent considerable time in \'ienna 
in post graduate work, receiving instruction from 
some of the most eminent specialists of the old 
world. He holds the master's degree from Law- 
rence University and the position of distinction 
to which he has attained in his profession is in- 
dicateil by the fact that he has been called to 
the presidency of the Saginaw A'alley ^Medical 
Society, the State Medical Society- and the 
American Eye and Ear Society. That he is re- 
garded as one of the most capable educators is 
indicated by the fact that he was recalled to the 
university and his deep scientific interest in his 
profession was manifested by his desire to study 
abroad, there to familiarize himself with the best 
methods of the learned oculists and aurists of 
the old world. 



On the 31st of December, 1891, Dr. Copeland 
was married to Miss Mary DePriest Ryan, of 
Adrian, Arichig^n. He is prominent in afifairs 
of the city in which he now makes his 
home, is now serving as a member of the 
board of education and from 1901 until 1903 
was mayor of Ann Arbor, giving to the 
city a practical, progressive and business-like adi- 
ministration. He is deeply interested in the great 
political problems which confront the country 
and is an unfaltering advocate of republican prin- 
ciples. That he has not confined his attention 
wholly to his profession to the neglect of the 
elements of nature which develop a well rounded 
character is indicated by his active and helpful 
co-operation in political interests in the citv and 
his identification with other business and fra- 
ternal interests. He is now president of the board 
of directors of the National Portland Cement 
Company^ Fraternally he is connected with the 
Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Alpha Sigma Col- 
lege fraternities and he likewise belongs to Bav 
City lodge, A. F. & A. M., Blanchard chapter, 
R. .\. M., Ann Arbor commandery, K. T., De- 
troit Temple of the Mystic Shrine, the Knights 
of Pythias and Knights of the Maccal>ees. It 
would be almost tautological in this connection 
to enter into any series of statements as show- 
ing Dr. Copeland to be a man of strong intel- 
lectuality and intense energy, for these have been 
shadowed forth between the lines of this review. 
His reputation in the line of his jirofession is 
not limited even by the boundaries of the state, 
for as educator and specialist his position has 
long been assured. 



BURTON G. MOORMAN. 

.\mong the enterprising, wide-awake and ]jro- 
gressive business men of Ypsilanti who belong 
to that class of representative citizens, who while 
promoting individual success also advance the 
general welfare. Burton G. Moorman is num- 
bered. He claims this city as the place of his 
nativity, his birth having here occurred on the 
2 1 St of December, 1856. His father, George 



no 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Moorniiui. was a pioneer sclller of Washtenaw 
county, establishing;- his home within its borders 
when the work of upl)uil(hn,cf and improvement 
had scarcely been begun. He came to this region 
as a boy and having little capital to aid him as he 
started out in life on his own account he worked 
for others until he had obtained sufficient means 
to embark in hiisincss on his own account, when 
he established a grist mill at Rawsonville. There 
he carried on business for sometime, but eventu- 
ally traded thai properly for .i f;u-ni of three 
hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive 
land four miles from Ypsilanti. His attention 
was then given to general agrienUural pursuits 
for sometime, after wdiich he disposed of his 
farm and took up his abode in die city of Ypsi- 
lanti. where he became a factor in mercantile cir- 
cles and was widely recognized as a ])rominent 
business man. He was also instrumental in pro- 
moting in a l;u-ge degree the growth and up- 
building of the city and he gave earnest and 
active support to every plan formulated for the 
city's advanceuKMit ami suhstanlial and perman- 
ent improvement. J-Tc manifested keen discern- 
ment and readv comprehension of business situ- 
ations and opportimities and .so utilized his ef- 
forts as to bring about the best results not only 
for himself but also for the community which 
he represented. He died in iSi)5. having for 
about a year survived his wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Sarah Osborn and who died in 
1894. In their family were five children, of 
whom four are now living, as follows: Mrs. 
Mary Harris and Mrs. Carrie Jewell, both of 
whom are residents of Ypsilanti: llurton G., of 
this review ; and Mrs. Nellie Shutts, of this city. 
Tiurton G. Moorman attended the Ypsilanti 
public schools until the age of sixteen years and 
resided upon his father's farm until 1900, being 
actively connected with agricultm-al interests. At 
an early age he became familiar with the duties 
and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist 
and he capably controlled his farming interests 
until he gave up such work to concentrate his 
energies upon the successful conduct and manipu- 
lation of his extensive and important business 
interests in Ypsilanti. He is now the president 
and treasurer of the ]\Ioorman-Huston Companw 



of which C. R. Huston is secretary. They arc 
extensive dealers in all farm products and make 
a specialty of shipping by the carload. They 
handle hay, grain, straw, flour, feed, wool, apples, 
hand picked beans and other farm products and 
have a large mill and warehouse at Nos. 9 and 
1 1 Congress street, west. This business furnishes 
an excellent market for many of the farmers who 
arc producers of the commodities which the com- 
pany handles. Mr. Moorman is also financially 
and frequently actively interested in other enter- 
prises of Washtenaw county, being a stockholder 
in the canning factory, in a large creamery, a 
laundry business and other industrial and com- 
mercial interests of the city. He has likewise 
made judicious purchases of real estate, thus 
placing his mone\' in the safest of all invest- 
ments and today he is the owner of a large 
amount of property in Ypsilanti. 

In Augaist, 1 87 1, Mr. Moorman was married 
to Miss Katherine Cline, of Ypsilanti, and they 
have four children : Lucile, who is seventeen 
\ears of age and is attending school: George,- 
twelve vears of age, also a public school student ; 
Grace Lucile; and Florence, who died wdien three 
years of age. 

Mr. Moorman is prominent in Masonry, having 
attained the Knight Templar degree and in re- 
ligious t'aith is a Methodist, while in politics he 
is independent. He has never sought or desired 
public office or public notoriety of any kind, pre- 
ferring to concentrate his energies upon the de- 
velopment of business conditions and the pro- 
motion of his individual interests in Ypsilanti. 
He stands Unhw as a strong man. strong in his 
honor and his good name and in his commercial 
position and is justly accounted one of the lead- 
ing residents of Washtenaw^ county. 



JOHN WTLLT.\:\1 DWYER, LL. M. 

Jolni William Dwyer. who bis attained ]n-es- 
tige as a representative of the legal fraternity in 
Ann Arbor, was born in New Lisbon, Wiscon- 
sin, December 20, 1865. His father, Thomas 
Dw\er, was a native of Limerick, Ireland, and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Ill 



having crossed the Atlantic to America was mar- 
ried to Miss Ellen Callaghan, a native of the state 
of New York. They became residents of Wis- 
consin, in i860, and the father engaged in the 
business of railroading. In 1864 he removed to 
Escanaba, ^Michigan, where he spent the suc- 
ceeding ten years and in 1874 he took up his 
abode in Iowa, his home being now on a farm 
near Cherokee. 

J. W. Dwyer acquired his early education in 
the public schools of Escanaba and Cherokee and 
afterward pursued a business course in the Fre- 
mont Business College, at Fremont, Nebraska. 
I fe then became a student in the Iowa State Nor- 
mal .School, at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he 
qualified for teaching, a profession which he fol- 
lowed from 1886 until 1891 with good success. 
His ambition, however, centered in another direc- 
tion and he prepared for the jiractice of law in 
the University of Michigan, where he completed 
the regular course and was graduated in 1892, 
with the degree of LL. B., while the following 
year the university conferred upon him the de- 
gree of Master of Laws. In 1892 he was ap- 
pointed instructor of law in the university and 
still fills that position. Mr. Dwyer originated and 
put in operation the summer school of law, which 
is now one of the successful and paying features 
of the law department He is the author of the 
following legal works : Cases on the Marital Re- 
lation, Cases on Private International Law, and 
a Text on Law and Proceedure of United States 
Courts. He opened an office in 1904 in the 
Farmers & Mechanics Bank building, in Ann 
Arbor, and in his practice has won a position 
which classes him with the leading represent- 
atives of the profession here. His logical grasp 
of facts and of legal principles affable thereto as 
well as untiring industr\- has been a potent ele- 
ment in his success. In the argument of a case 
he exhibits a remarkable clearness of expression, 
an adef|uate and precise diction which enables him 
to make others understand not only the salient 
points of his argument but also to clearly com- 
prehend the very fine anal>-tical distinction which 
differentiates one legal principle from another. 
Mr. Dwyer is also a stockholder in a new bank 
recently ei^tablislicd in Ann Arbor. 



In 1 891 Mr. Dwyer was married to Alicia Ho- 
gan, of Cherokee, Iowa, whose father was at one 
time extensively interested in iron mines of the 
upper peninsula. They have six children : Ellen 
A., Francis Thomas, Edgar J., Rose C, Anna 
A. and Mary E. aged respectively thirteen, 
eleven, nine, seven, five and three years. 

Mr. Dwyer is a democrat in his political views 
and affiliations. He belongs to the Catholic 
church and to the Catholic Alutual Benevolent 
Association, of which he is vice president and 
trustee, while in the Knights of Columbus he is 
lecturing knight and recording secretary. His 
identification with these organizations is indi- 
cative of the principles which govern his ac- 
tions and have found manifestation in an up- 
right manhood. 



GILBERT HURD. 



Gilbert Hurd, a well known representative of 
agricultural interests owning three hundred and 
sixty acres of fine land, his home being on sec- 
tion 30, Pittsfield township, was born in the state 
of New York on the i8th of April. 1830. His 
father. Arba Hurd, was born in Dutchess county, 
New York, and in 1831 came to Michigan, enter- 
ing frfjm the government eighty acres of land 
upon which his son Gilbert now resides. He 
afterward bought four hundred acres more and 
devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, 
transforming the wild land into richly cultivated 
fields and annually harvesting good crops. In 
politics he was a democrat and later became a 
republican, for his study of the political issues 
and questions of the day led him to believe that 
the latter party embodied the best principles of 
good government. For inany years he served as 
highway commissioner and in his community was 
known as a respected and worthy citizen, who 
championed many progressive measures for the 
general good. He married Miss Cynthia Rowe. 
who was born in the Empire state and their 
children were: Sarah, the deceased wife of Isaac 
Elliott, who at her death left three children, now 
residents of Pittsfield township: Betsy, who mar- 
ried Louis T. Howard anrl at her death left three 



Hi 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



children who are also living' in PiUsfield town- 
ship; Dewitt C, deceased, who married Mary 
Sutherland, and had three children : Charles, de- 
ceased, who married Phoehe Collins ; Hebron, 
deceased, who married Jane Sutherland and 
had three children : Helen, the wife of Fred 
Munson, by whom she has one child, their home 
being in Pittsfield ; Henry; Cilbert, of this re- 
view ; and Harriet, the wife of Frank Smith, of 
Orleans, Ionia county, Michigan. The father 
died in the year 1868 and the mother survived 
luitil 1872. 

Gilbert Hurd was only about a year old when 
brought by his parents to Michigan. He lived 
with his father until the latter's death, their first 
home being a log house in which the family 
shared in all the hardships and trials incident to 
pioneer life. Later the primitive cabin was re- 
placed b\- the splendid residence seen today. Gil- 
bert Hurd attended the common schools, acquir- 
ing a fair English education and he aided in the 
labors of the farm, doing his full share in the 
work of the fields as the years passed by. He 
was married in i8rK) to Miss Jennie Fuller, who 
was born in New York. September 5. 1838. and 
is a daughter of Hiram B. Fuller, who was born 
in the Empire state and came to Michigan 
in 1851. Mr. Fuller was a P.aptist minister, de- 
voting his entire life to the work of the church. 
He had three daughters: Eliza Ann. the wife of 
N. G. Saxton. by whom she has five children ; 
Pamela, who married Rev. O. Wolf and has 
three children: and Mrs. Hurd. Unto our sub- 
ject and his wife have been born six children, 
but the second and youngest died in infancy. 
The others are : Arba F.. who was born Janu- 
ary 31. 1863. and married Flora McBride. their 
home being upon his father's farm ; Bertie, who 
was born October 13, i86(j. and died in 1870: 
Cynthia E.. who was torn .September 3. 1871. 
and is the wife of Fred Webb ; and Virginia May. 
who was born January 26. 1875. and is a teacher. 
The married son has one child. 

Since attaining his majority INIr. Hurd has 
given his time and energies to agricultural pur- 
suits and has prospered as the years have gone 
by. becoming the owner of three hundred and 
sixt\' acres of rich ;nid liiglih cultivated land on 



which he has fine buildings. Everything about 
his place is in keeping with his spirit of progress 
and enterprise and the well improved appearance 
of his farm is indicative of his careful super- 
vision and practical methods. His wife is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Saline and both Mr. and Mrs. Hurd are highly 
esteemed in the community where they make 
their home. Mr. Hurd is a republican in his 
political views but without aspiration for office. 
A highly respected citizen of Pittsfield town- 
ship, almost his entire life has been passed in 
this count\- and that he has ever been straight- 
forward and honorable in all life's relations is 
indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest 
friends are among those who have known him 
from him boyhood to the present. 



J(")TTXSOX W. KNIGHT. 

Johnson Wells Knight, of Ann Arbor, the 
third child and oldest son of Elijah and Electa 
(Johnson) Knight, was born in Erie county. 
New York, in 1822. The father. Elijah Knight. 
was of English ancestry, his forefathers having 
migrated from England to New England in the 
seventeenth century, and thence after the Revo- 
lutionary war removed to New York, where 
Elijah was born in Oneida county in 1798. He 
lived to the ripe old age of ninety years, passing 
away in Grand Rapids. Michigan, in 1888. where 
he had resided for thirty-five years. Prior to 
remnving to Michigan he had. in the i>i(ineer days 
of western New York, combined the pursuits of 
farmer and builder, and had been successful in 
both. After moving to Grand Rapids he con- 
tinued his activit\- in both lines for some years. 
Tile mother. Electa Johnson, also a native of the 
Empire state, died in Grand Rapids in 1866. when 
she was sixty-eight years of age. Johnson Wells 
Knight, the subject of this sketch, was one of 
seven children, of whom four are yet living: Mrs. 
Mary L. Boardman. a resident of Brooklyn. New 
York: Johnson W. Knight: Mrs, Laura E. 
.Adams, who is living in San Francisco. Cali- 
fornia: and Airs, Helen M. Hoyt. of (h-and 



I 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



115 



Rapids, Miclii.t;aii. Tlie family, though not not- 
ably strong or vigorous of frame and physique, 
is remarkable for the longevity of its members, 
the father and grandfather having passed ninety 
years before they died, and three of the brothers 
and sisters just named are now (1905) between 
eighty and ninety years of age. 

Johnson W. Knight was a public-school stu- 
dent in his native county, and afterward pursued 
his studies in .\Ie.xander Academy in Genesee 
county, New York. He was a teacher in the dis- 
trict schools of ( )rleans and Genesee counties 
from 1841 to 1845 ■ li^ then turned his attention 
to mercantile ]nn-suits, which he followed in .\k- 
ron, New York, conducting a general store there, 
two years as a member of the firm of Wainwright 
& Knight, and later under the firm name of 
Adams & Knight. That relationship was main- 
tained for four years, from 1848 until 1852, when 
the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Knight 
engaged in buying and shipping wheat, continu- 
ing in the grain trade during the remainder of his 
residence in .A^kron. .\t this time he purchased 
a farm in Monroe county. New York, and al- 
though he continued to live in Akron until the 
spring of 1856. He also carried on agricultural 
pursuits with the assistance of a foreman. 

Almost a half century has passed since Mr. 
Knight made his way from New York to Mich- 
igan, arriving in Detroit in the spring of 1856. 
and removing from that city to .\nn .-\rbor si.x 
months later. Here he purchased the interest of 
the senior partner in the mercantile firm of 
Becker & Wines, the firm name becoming Wines 
& Knight. They conducted a general store which 
was located (jn the west side of Main street, be- 
tween Washington and Huron streets. This was 
one of tlie best stores of the day. and the business 
was successfully carried on from 1856 until 1861, 
when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Knight 
retiring from the business. Jn the spring of i8fi,^ 
in connection with others, he organized the First 
National Rank of .\nn .\rbor, under the national 
banking law whicli had just been jiassed bv con- 
gress. The bank was opened for business on the 
1st of July of that year, and was the first national 
bank organized in the state. Mr. Knight became 
teller in the institution, and twn \ears later was 



made cashier, which position he continued to fill 
until .August. 1883 : he was also a member of the 
directorate from 1864 until he severed active con- 
nection with the bank eighteen years later. He 
was one of the largest stockholders at the time 
of the organization, and as cashier, was the prac- 
tical manager of the business, and contributed in 
sul)stantial measure to the growth and stability 
of the bank, which became one of the leading 
moneyed concerns of the state. Since retiring 
from the bank directorate in 1883. he has de- 
voted himself principally to his private business 
interests and investments, and to serving in va- 
rious trust capacities, and as business advisor to 
many who had learned to know and respect his 
financial judgment. 

In ])olitics Mr. Knight is an independent re- 
publican. In 1855 he was one of the four dele- 
gates from Erie county, New York, to the con- 
vention which met at Syracuse for the purpose 
of organizing the republican party in New York, 
and has ever taken an active interest in public 
aft'airs, especially in the more important ques- 
tions affecting the general policy of the country, 
and contributing to the national welfare. He has 
been a constant and keen student of the financial 
and fiscal problems and policy of the nation. 

Mr. Knight for many years attended the Pres- 
byterian church in .\mi .Arbor and was for sev- 
eral years one of its board of trustees. During 
his membership of the board, and largely through 
his eflforts, a heavy debt that burdened the church 
was lifted. Subsequently, about 1880, he, with 
his family, became identified with the Congrega- 
tional church, to which, as well as to the City 
Young Men's Christian .Association, he has been 
a quiet but liberal contributor. 

In 1848 Mr. Knight was married in Riga, 
Alonroe C(_)unty, New York, to Miss Cornelia P. 
Hebbard, whose ancestors had been among the 
original settlers of Plymouth and Salem in Mas- 
sachusetts. .She was a native of Connecticut, and 
with her ]iarents, Jeptha and Mary (Johnson) 
Hebbard. moved to Monroe county. New York, 
in 1832. .She died July 16. T897, at the a2:e of 
seventv-five vears, leaving two sons and a daugh- 
ter. Farle. the eldest, was horn in Akmn, New 
A'ork, in 1851, was graduated from Ann Arbor 



ii6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



high school and the University of Michigan class 
of 1871, and was for many years financial mana- 
ger of the Gale Manufacturing Company at Al- 
bion, Michigan. He died September 9, 1905. 
leaving one son, Earle Kelley Knight, an irriga- 
tion engineer in Oregon. George W. Knight, the 
second son, was born in Ann Arbor in 1858, mar- 
ried Mariette A. Barnes, of Lansing, Michigan, 
and has two davighters. He was graduated from 
the Ann Arbor high school and the University of 
Michigan, class of 1878, and is now professor of 
American history and •political science in the 
.State University of Ohio at Columbus. The only 
daughter, .Adelaide Knight, born in .\nn .Arbor 
in 1863, is the widow of Professor Frederick C. 
Clark, of Columbus, Ohio, and has two children. 
Johnson W. Knight, crowned with years and 
honor, having passed the eighty-second milestone 
on life's journey, stands today as one of the 
prominent citizens of Ann .\rbor, where for al- 
most fifty years he has lived and labored to goodly 
purpose. His keen lint (|uiet recognition and util- 
ization of business ojiportunities, his uritfagging 
perseverance and unabating energy have made him 
a successful ami representative business man. 
Moreover, he has dealt fairly with his fellow- 
men, so that his path has not been strewn with 
wreck of other men's fiirtunes, but in the legiti- 
mate channels of business and through judicious 
investment he has won the prosperity that has 
made him a capitalist to whom has been vouch- 
safed in the evening of life those things which 
add to the comfort and happiness of the indi- 
vidual. 



GOTTI..OR LUICK. 



Gottlob Uuick, a leading representative iif the 
productive industries of .\nn Arbor whose efforts 
as a private citizen and public official have con- 
tributed in substantial measure to the development 
and benefit of the city, is a native son of Washte- 
naw county, his birth having occurred in I^ima 
township on the 27th of March. 1846. His father, 
David Luick. came with his wife from \\'^urtem- 
berg, Germany, to .America in the year 1831 and, 
making his way at once to Washtenaw countv. 



settled u]5on a farm in Lima township, devoting 
his remaining days to agricultural pursuits. He 
died in the year 1872, while his wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Katherine Veck, passed away in 
i860. In their family were twelve children, as 
follows : Andrew and Dorothy, both deceased ; 
Mrs. Eliza Stark, a widow residing in Ann Ar- 
bor ; Godfrey, a farmer living in Lima township ; 
Jacob, deceased ; David J,, who follows agricul- 
tural pursuits in Lima township ; Katherine, liv- 
ing in Isabella county, Michigan ; Mary, the wife 
of Jacob Laubengayer, of .Ann .Arbor; Emanuel, 
who is in the mill with his brother : Gottlob ; one 
who died umiamed at birth ; and .Anna, who is 
living in Huron county, Michigan. 

Gottlob Luick began his education in the jiuljlic 
schools of his native township, wherein he con- 
tinued his studies until thirteen years of age, 
when he put aside his text-books and entered 
business life, learning the carpenter's trade. 
When he had mastered the principles of the 
liuildcr's art he j( lined his lirother Emanuel as a 
contractor and builder of Lima, whence he re- 
moved to .Ann Arbor in 1872. The following 
year he established a large ]ilaning mill and is still 
extensively engaged in the manufacture of lum- 
ber, employing many men in his big plant and 
lumberyards. The volume of business transacted 
by the comjiany each }-ear makes the enterprise 
one of much value to the city and the reputation 
which the house sustains is an unassailable one. 
Air. Luick's business aliility and resourceful pur- 
pose have caused his aid to he sought in the con- 
trol of other commercial and industrial enter- 
prises and he is now the vice president and one of 
the directors of tlie .Ann .Arbor Organ Company, 
a leading industrial concern of this citv, and a 
stockholder in the famous Ypsilanti Lhiderwear 
Compan\'. llis labors have been discerningly di- 
rected ailing well defined lines and have resulted 
in the acquirement of success so gratifying and 
extensive as to entitle him to rank with the "cap- 
tains of industry" in his native count}-. 

-Active and influential in the public life of the 
cit>-, Mr. Luick as the candidate of the democratic 
party has been elected to a number of offices. He 
served for four years as alderman of this city and 
was one term president and one term mayor, giv- 




GOTTLOB LUICK. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



119 



ing a businesslike and progressive administration, 
in which he has closely studied methods of econ- 
omy, reform and improvement. His only son, 
Oscar, was city treasurer of Ann Arbor. He is a. 
busy man, yet ready to pause in the midst of busi- 
ness duties to perform a personal service. He is 
wholly worthy of the respect that is everywhere 
tendered him and his name is synonymous with 
honorable dealing and with all that is elevating 
and beneficial to the city and the individual. His 
rank in Masonic circles is high as is indicated by 
the fact that he is now affiliated with the Mystic 
Shrine. He has a host of warm friends, while his 
influence in political, industrial and commerical 
life makes him one of the foremost residents of 
Ann Arbor. 



HARRISON SOULE. 

Harrison Soule, treasurer of the University of 
Michigan, a director of the Ann Arbor Organ 
Company and a director and vice president of 
the First National Bank of Ann Arbor, was born 
in Orleans county. New York, in 1832. The 
ancestry of the family can be traced back in direct 
line to George Soule, who came to America on 
the Mayflower in 1620. His father, the Hon. 
Milo Soule. was a native of Madison county. 
New York, born on the 8th of July, 1804, and 
his death occurred on the 23d of April, 1891. 
He was a student in the public schools of his na- 
tive state until fifteen years of age, when he began 
teaching, devoting the winter months to that pro- 
fession, while the summer seasons were given to 
farm work upon his father's place. He was thus 
engaged until the winter of 1830, when he mar- 
ried Miss Irene Blodgett, the youngest daughter 
of Sardis and Sabra Blodgett, of Vermont. The 
young couple removed to Orleans county. New 
York, where they remained through the following 
five years. Emigration at that time trended heav- 
ily in the direction of Michigan, and, renouncing 
his allegiance to the state of his nativity in order 
to become a factor in the great and growing west, 
Mr. Soule made his way to Michigan, arriving 
with his family at Marengo, Calhoun county, in 



the fall of 1835. There he carried on general 
agricultural pursuits continuously until 1869, 
when he took up his abode in the village of 
Marengo. He took an active part in the organi- 
zation of the Calhoun County Mutual Fire In- 
surance Company, and was for many )-ears its 
secretary. He was one of the pioneers of that 
county, where he arrived with extremely limited 
capital, but through his enterprise and unfalter- 
ing diligence he became one of the substantial 
citizens and also one of the leading and represent- 
ative men of that part of the state. In politics 
he was a democrat of broad and liberal views. 
He took a deep interest in public affairs, con- 
tinual reading and investigation keeping him in 
touch with modern thought and progress. He 
held many positions of public trust, the duties of 
which were discharged conscientiously and with 
scrupulous fidelity. In sickness or distress he 
was one of the first to offer assistance and sym- 
pathy, and was widely recognized as one of broad 
humanitarian principles, interested in everything 
that tended to ameliorate the conditions for the 
unfortunate ones of the world. Until stricken 
with paralysis about fourteen years prior to his 
death he was in vigorous bodily health with a 
mind as active as when in the prime of life. 
Afflicted as he was, being deprived almost entirely 
of the power of speech, which was to him one 
of his greatest delights, because of his companion- 
able nature, he yet bore his affliction with the 
utmost composure and resignation. Words are 
inadequate to express the high esteem in which 
he was held by those who knew him long and 
well. He endeared himself to those with whom 
he came in contact by ties of friendship which 
naught but death could sever, and he was spoken 
of only in terms of praise and good fellowship. 
He was one of the first to fill the office of justice 
of peace in his township, and in 1843 he was 
elected county treasurer, holding the office for 
three consecutive terms. In 1850 he was elected 
a member of the convention to revise the state 
constitution, and thus aided in framing the or- 
ganic law of the commonwealth. His interest 
in public questions was that of a patriotic citizen 
who placed the general good before personal ag- 
grandizement. 



I20 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Harrison Soiile was brought to Michigan by 
his parents when a little lad of four years. His 
early educational privileges were supplemented by 
study in Marengo public schools, and also in 
Marshall, Michigan, subsequent to which time he 
attended the Albion Female Collegiate Seminary, 
while still later he pursued a course in Gregory's 
Commercial College at Detroit, completing his 
studies there when twenty years of age. Enter- 
ing upon his business career as bookkeeper for 
the firm of Jackson & Wiley, proprietors of a 
large machine shop and foundry, he remained in 
that service for two years, and then began work- 
ing for the Michigan Central Railroad Company 
as clerk in the office of the car shops, where he 
also continued for two years. Immediately fol- 
lowing his marriage he removed to Port Huron, 
where he was engaged in the retail boot and shoe 
business for two years, at which time he went 
to Albion, Michigan, the former home of his 
wife, where he conducted a shoe business for 
about a year and a half. Personal and business 
considerations were then put aside, for in August, 
1861, he responded to his country's call, enlisting 
for three years in defense of the Union. He was 
among the first to respond to the three years' call, 
and with his command was ordered into camp at 
Fort Wayne, Detroit, for military instruction and 
discipline, where he displayed such aptness and 
ability that he was commissioned captain with 
instruction to raise a company of volunteers. 
This he did and the organization was mustered 
in as Company I, of the Sixth Michigan Infantry, 
with Harrison Soule as captain. Later the com- 
pany was transferred to the heavy artillery de- 
partment and subsequently to the gunboat Wis- 
sahickon, being with this fleet at the time of the 
surrender of New Orleans. Major Soule was 
under Commander Farragut on the first expedi- 
tion for the capture of Vicksburg, led by General 
Thomas Williams. At Baton Rouge he was 
wounded and sent to the north for medical treat- 
ment, but after three months, when only partially 
restored to health, he reported for duty, and with 
his arm in a sling engaged in the siege of Port 
Huron. He was honored in general orders for 
gallant service on the field, and he made a splendid 
military record, for during over four years of act- 



ive service he was never away from his company 
save for the period that he spent in the hospital 
because of his wound. He was twice commis- 
sioned major, the first time declining the promo- 
tion, for he preferred to be on active duty with 
his heroic company rather than to serve as major 
of the regiment without a command. A year later 
when he was again given a commission as major 
he instantly assumed command of the regiment 
as its superior officer and was detailed on other 
active duty. On the 9th of July, 1865, he took 
his regiment to New Orleans under orders and 
received a new outfit of light size guns. He was 
there transferred to General Sherman's command 
for a campaign on the Texas frontier in view of 
Maximillian's occupation of Mexico, but did not 
take part in the movement there, and with his 
regiment returned to Michigan. 

On again taking up the pursuits of civil life 
Major Soule became passenger agent for the 
Michigan Central Railroad Company, with head- 
quarters at Jackson, Michigan, where he remained 
for fifteen years, when he resigned to accept the 
position of treasurer of the State University. This 
honor came unsolicited, and there were over fifty 
applicants for the position, but the regents of the 
university sought the services of Major Soule, 
and finally induced him to accept, which office he 
has since held with great satisfaction to all con- 
cerned, possessing the peculiar business qualifica- 
tions so essential to one who manages the financial 
interests of an institution of this character. He 
entered upon his duties in 1883, and that he has 
faithfully performed the trust reposed in him and 
contributed in substantial measure to the excel- 
lent financial basis upon which the university now 
rests is well indicated by its records and its well- 
known standing. He is likewise financially in- 
terested in business enterprises of Ann Arbor, 
being a director of the Ann Arbor Organ Com- 
pany and a director and a vice-president of the 
First National Bank. 

Major Soule was married in 1855, to Miss 
Mary E. Parker, who was born in Cass county, 
Michigan, and is a daughter of Charles T. and 
Sally Ann (Beardsley) Parker, the former a na- 
tive of Ohio, and the latter of New York. Major 
and Mrs. Soule had but two children. Their 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



121 



daughter, Anna May, who died iMarch 17, 1905, 
at the age of forty-five years, was for some years 
a successful and prominent teacher, and at the 
time of lier demise was professor of American 
history and poHtical economy in Mount Holyoke 
College in Massachusetts. The surviving daugh- 
ter, Mary Eva, is the wife of L. L. Clark, of Ann 
Arbor, and they have four children: Mary W.. 
Jane S., Georgie P. and Harrison S. 

Major Soule is well known in military organi- 
zations of the state, being a member of Welch 
post. No. 37, G. A. R., at Ann Arbor, and of 
Detroit commandery of the Loyal Legion of 
Honor. He was made a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows when twenty-one 
years of age, has always taken an active interest 
in its work and has filled every position in the 
lodge from the lowest to the highest. He is much 
esteemed for his many splendid qualities, and like 
his honored father has won many friends, because 
of a social disposition and genial nature that rec- 
ognizes the worth of the individual. His militarv 
and business record, as well as his connection 
with the university, entitles him to representation 
as one of the leading citizens of Ann Arbor. 



EVART H. SCOTT. 



Evart H. Scott, a capitalist of Ann Arbor, 
financially interested in various important busi- 
ness concerns of the city, was born in Ohio in 
1850. His father, J. Austin Scott, was born in 
Connecticut in 1806 and in early life engaged in 
shipping produce and various kinds of live stock 
to different markets as fer east as Buffalo. He 
carried on a general commission business, at 
which time he was located at Miami. Ohio. It 
was there that he began the publication of the 
first newspaper at Perrysburg, in 1833, called 
the ]\Iiami of the Lake, in which connection he 
was a member of the firm of Scott, McBride & 
Reed, a relationship which was maintained for 
several years, the enterprise proving profitable to 
the partners. While living in Ohio, Mr. Scott 
also served as a captain in the Toledo war and 
did considerable recruiting service in Perrysburg, 
Wood county, the troops entering the army under 



command of Colonel \'an Fleet. Following the 
close of hostilities J. Austin Scott settled in 
Toledo, Ohio, in 1859, and became a prominent 
and influential factor in financial and business 
circles there. He was a member of the school 
board for many years and was actively connected 
with several business interests, success again at- 
tending his efforts. Retiring in later years from 
active life he came to Ann .\rbor in the spring 
of 1868, having in the previous fall purchased 
the old Dr. Frieze estate on Washtenaw avenue, 
where he lived up to the time of his death in 
1892. He was the owner of inany vessels which 
plied on the lakes but during the financial panic 
nf 1837 lie lost heavily. Through his energy, 
judicious investment and careful management, 
however, he regained his fortune and left his 
family a goodly estate. He was a liberal man to 
all worthy measures and charities, possessing a 
s_\mipathetic apirit and broad humanitarian prin- 
ciples. .\ very active member of the First Con- 
gregational church, he was its largest contribu- 
tor at the time of the erection of the present house 
of worship and indeed it was through his gener- 
osity that the congregation was enabled to build. 
He served for man\- years as a trustee and dea- 
con of the church, acting in those capacities up 
to the time of his death. His political support 
was given to the whig party until its dissolution, 
when he joined the ranks of the new republican 
party. He was the man who brought the San 
Juan treaty here during President Grant's ad- 
ministration. Viewed in a personal light he was 
a strong man, strong in his business capacity, 
strong in support of his honest convictions and 
strong in his honor and his good name. 

J. Austin Scott married Miss Sarah Shepard 
Ranney, who was born in East Grantviile, Mas- 
sachusetts, and by her marriage became the 
mother of five children, of whom four are yet 
living; Evart H. Scott being the second in order 
of birth. The eldest. Dr. Austin Scott, is a 
graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1869, 
and of the University of Michigan of the class 
of 1870, at which time he received his second de- 
gree, while his third degree of Ph. D. was con- 
ferred upon him in Germany. He acted as pri- 
vate secretary for Bancroft, the historian, for ten 



122 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



or eleven years, while he was compiling his his- 
tory of the United States, and he is now presi- 
dent of Rutger's College, of New Brunswick, 
New Jersey. He has purchased his mother's old 
home at East Grantville, Massachusetts, where 
he has a summer residence. He stands today as 
one of the prominent educators of the country, 
being the active head of one of the oldest institu- 
tions of learning on the Atlantic coast. Mary S. 
Scott became the wife of Charles Edmond Davis. 
M. D. He is colonel in the First New York 
Rifles and was surgeon major in the Spanish- 
American war. It was while thus engaged that 
he met Mary S. Carter, who was acting as a 
citizen nurse and was there with her first hus- 
band, Charles L. Carter, who was killed in the 
movement for the restriction of the queen at 
Honolulu. He was a graduate of the law de- 
partment of the University of Michigan with the 
class of 1887. The youngest member of the fam- 
ily is Ranney C. Scott, who is assistant cashier 
of the Hawaii Trust Company, of Honolulu. The 
mother died in 1883, at the age of fifty-seven 
years. 

Evart H. Scott pursued his education in the 
schools of Toledo, Ohio, and in the fall of 1868 
entered the University of Michigan as a member 
of the class of 1872, but remained for only two 
years, when he became connected with manu- 
facturing interests as the owner of a factory- 
producing agricultural implements. He con- 
tinued in the business for some time. He is also 
connected with many of the other leading in- 
dustries of the city, being at one time a director 
of the Ann Arbor Organ Company and the Ann 
Arbor Agricultural Company, while at one time 
he was connected with the old brickyard com- 
pany. His supervision is now given to his in- 
vested interests and his business judgment is re- 
garded as safe counsel in the control of important 
commercial and industrial concerns. In 1879, in 
Ann Arbor, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Sarah 
E. Shay, of Newark, New Jersey. They had 
five children, all born in Ann Arbor, but the 
daughter, Mar\' D., the third in order of birth, is 
now deceased. The sons are: Austin E., who 
married Laura Bannister, of Detroit, Michigan; 
Reuben R. ; Bradner W. ; and Ranney C. 



Mr. Scott served for fifteen years as a member 
of the Ann Arbor school board and is now a 
trustee of the Forest Hill cemetery and a mem- 
ber of the board of public works. He has 
several times refused the nomination for mayor 
as his ambition is not in the line of office seeking. 
He is, however, a stalwart advocate of republican 
principles and finn in support of his convictions. 
During a long residence in Ann Arbor he has 
gained a wide acquaintance and those who have 
been admitted to the circles of his friendship find 
him a most agreeable and congenial companion, 
worthy their highest regard and esteem. 



JOHN W. BLAKESLEE. 

Monuments of stone and bronze have been 
erected to the memory of many individuals but no 
such evidence of an honorable life is needed by 
the people of Milan and Washtenaw county to 
keep in memory the record of John W. Blakeslee, 
who lives enshrined in the hearts of all who knew 
him. He was a successful man and this excited 
the admiration of his fellow citizens but it was his 
use of his wealth — his generosity, his kindliness 
and his benevolence that wonhim the love of all. 
He was born in Madison county, New York, 
April 25, 1830, his parents being John W. and 
Urenia (Bonney) Blakeslee, both of whom were 
natives of the state of New York. The father was 
a wagonmaker by trade and followed that pursuit 
for a number of years. Leaving the Empire state 
in 1836 he made his way westward to Washtenaw 
county, ]\Iichigan, and took up his abode in York 
township. He fought in the war of 1812, while 
the paternal grandfather was a soldier of note in 
the Revolutionary war. The father, who died in 
the early fall of i860, had often in his last illness 
expressed the hope that he might live to see Lin- 
coln elected. The brothers of our subject were 
Dr. Alfred P. Blakeslee and Julius W. Blakeslee, 
but the latter died several years ago. The sisters 
were Mrs. Philena Olcott, the wife of John D. 
Olcott, of Augusta, Michigan ; and Urania, the 
wife of Thomas Richards, of York township, who 
is a brother of Mrs. John W. Blakeslee. Both sis- 
ters are now deceased. 




A^- yyV-^/^-^-^ c^^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



125 



John W. Blakeslee was only six years of asc 
wlien broiiglit by his parents to Washtenaw 
county and here amid the environments of pioneer 
life, sharins;- with the family in all the hardships 
and trials incident to settlement up'm the frontier, 
he spent the days of his youth and assisted in the 
arduous task of developing a new farm. He 
earlv learned lessons of industry, economy and 
integrity and he grew to early manhood respected 
by all who knew him. That he was regarded as 
one of the worthy and representative citizens of 
hi.': comnumity is indicated by the fact that when 
onlv twenty-one years of age he was chosen a 
member of the district school board, to which po- 
sition lie was elected again and again, occupying 
the ofifices during the entire period of his resi- 
dence in both York and Milan. Further official 
honors were also conferred upon him. He served 
as supervisor of York township for a number of 
terms, was also notary public up to the time of his 
death and for several years was justice of the 
peace, ''winning golden opinions from all sorts of 
people" by the fairness and impartiality of his de- 
cisions. 

On the 24th of November, 1850, in York town- 
ship, at the home of the bride, Mr. Blakeslee was 
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Richards, a 
native of Nottinghamshire, England, liorn on the 
loth of March, 1829. On the loth of May, 1830, 
her ])arents. William and Elizabeth ( Sibert ) 
Richards, had sailed fur America and she was 
therefore reared in this country. Her brothers 
were: Thomas. \\'illiam, John, Alfred and George 
Richards; and her sisters were: Emeline, who be- 
came the wife of Thomas Fuller, of York town- 
ship ; and Mrs. Frances .\nn Jackson, the deceased 
wife of Andrew D. Jackson, of York township. 
Mr. and Mrs Blakeslee were married by Elder 
r.aker. pastor of the Baptist church and thei'- 
marriage was blessed with one daughter. Flora 
E.. who was born on the 6th of May. 1857. and 
died on the i8th of October, 1881. Mr. Blakes- 
lce"s father flied in 1860 and his mother lived with 
her son until her death when in her eighty-ninth 
year, and he was to her a faithful son. 

For many years Mr. Blakeslee carried on gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits and was always the 
owner of a farm, having at one time three hun- 



dred and sixty acres of land and one hundred and 
fort\-four acres when he died, but in his later 
years his land was operated on the shares, while 
he enjoyed a well earned rest. His death occurred 
very suddenly about six o'clock in the evening of 
April 8. 1905. He had been feeling unusually 
well that day and had transacted business interests 
with several neighbors and had also made a pay- 
ment of two dollars which was his subscription to 
the organ fund of the Baptist church. Benham 
S. Cook, who operated the farm for Mr. lilakes- 
lee, called him from the barn to the egg house to 
talk with him upon business matters for a few 
minutes. Then as Mr. Cook turned around to 
drive a nail he heard something fall and looking 
back saw ]\Ir. Blakeslee lying there. The latter 
lived only a few minutes. His death was a great 
shock to the people of Milan and the neighbor- 
hood and his loss was most deeply and sincerely 
deplored. The funeral services were held on the 
nth of .\pril, the Rev. T. D. Denman officiating, 
and the funeral was one of the largest ever held 
in \\'ashtenaw or Monroe counties, the home, 
corner Main and Edwards streets, being unable 
to contain the large concourse of friends and rela- 
tives who gathered to pay their last tribute of re- 
spect to the departed. The floral tributes were 
many and beautiful, being visible evidences of the 
love and respect in which Mr. Blakeslee was uni- 
formly held. The business men of Milan at- 
tended the services and the school children of the 
village headed by the teachers also viewed the 
remains. Mr. Blakeslee never sought to figure 
prominently in public life though he was a stanch, 
lifelong republican, being a Fremont voter and 
having attended the "Under the Oaks" reunion at 
Jackson in 1904, and it was not political position 
nor military record that made him so honored in 
the community where he lived. It was his great 
generosity and imbounded charity that won him 
the love of those with whom he came in contact. 
On one occasion a good veteran of the Civil war, 
disabled and with a destitute family, applied to 
him for assistance in his efl'ort to get a pension. 
He stated his claims, finishing with the remark, 
"But I have no money to prosecute my claims." 
Mr. Blakeslee in his characteristic manner re- 
plied, "Then this is the place to come," and the 



126 I'AS'i' Axn i'Ri':si<:N"r (W w asutkx.wv coixtv. 

aid was I'lirthwilli hiniislicil. Tliis is ])iU one nf cry known as \\\v plaiil of llic ( irnvc lirewcT)' iK; 

hundreds of similar inslanccs thai niit;hl lie tjivcn i'lottiiiit;' C'o)n])any, in wliirh he was associak'd 

showing iiis .i;rcal ticncrous heart, his liroad iiu- with his lirothcr Adam. I lie partncrslii]) was 

nianilarian |irinci|)K's and his read\ s\ni|)alh\. maintained loi' a lew \ears, at tlie end of whieli 

Many indeed liave reason to hless him for iiis time Louis /, l''oerster became sole |)ropriclor 

timely assistance in the ho\u- of neeil, and thc\' and was alone in the business for two vears. lie 

speak his nani'' wilh praise and ^lalilnde. lli> then admitted a |iarlner to a sliare in llie bnsi- 

nieniorx' will be enshrined in the liearts of those ncss, with whom he was associated for ten years, 

who knew him for years to come, and his life his- when he asjain became sole ])ro])rietor and so re- 

tor\ lui'nislu'S an example that is indeed well mained until he ^a\e his sons an interest in llu- 

worllix of c-mulaliou, Man\ who knew him may business. It was incorporated in i8c)0 with I.. 

well \rv\ that '/.. Foerster, ])rcsident and treasurer, L. K. Foer- 

"I'his was .1 m;ni. Take him for all in all. sler, vice-presideni, and j. I,. I'oersler, secretary. 

1 shall noi look upon his like a^ain." while Albert is now ;i member of the firm. The 

business was beyun in a small frame buildint;'. 
but L;re\v to such |iroportions. lh;it in 181S7 this 

struclurc wa> lorn down and replaced by the 

1,()['IS /.. I'l )l',l\,sri''.l\ ]iresenl line brick buildins; which is splendidly 

e(|uipped with the most modern a])plianct's lor 

1 .ouis /. b'oerster, the founder and ]ironioter niakini;- beer. They also have a manufactur- 

of the i ,. /.. Foerster llrewiuL;' ("ompanw whose ini;- jjlaut and fine bottling- works, and the depart- 

plant is one of ihe le.-idinL;- |irodncli\c industries ments toLjether conslitnle .an exlensive |)lant. com- 

of >'psilanli. was lioiii in Canada in iS_^(). llis |)lete in e\er\ delail. The product of the l)rew'er\- ^ 

father, 1 .ndw iu; hUerster. was a native of I'.aden. is shi]iped to all |iarls of Michiiian and llu' I'il- 

( ii'rmanx , and came lo America in il'^.v^. settlin;:;' sener beer is known in man\ other states as \\c\\. 

in ( 'an:id;i. 1 le was accompanied In hiswifeand Their • iold r.,ind l''.\|)oi'i is also a superior article 

three children, and seven more cbildi'en were and their mann f.ulnre includes ]iorter. That ^^r. 

aikled to the lionsehold ilnrini; llieir residence in I'oerster is well (pi.-ilifu'd for carrxin!.; on <a busi- 

the l)onnnion, Ihe f.ither in his n.itixe counlrx ness of this character, is due not only to his n;i- 

learnecl and followed ihe locksmith's li'ade. but t i\e talents .and enerL;ies. but also to the lact that 

afli'r crossiuL; the \thmtic to the new wiirldi;a\e in iSi)j he pm-sned a course in the American 

llis attention to agricultural pursuits. Xine of his I'lrewitiij- .\cademy oi Chicatjo. studxini; chem- 

children ari' \el li\int: : Jacob .■m<l .\nilrew, who istry, iihysics, mathematics, meclianic.al .appli- 

nrd-:e tlu-ir homes in ( auada : Katheriue, who is ances, b.-icterioloj^y ;md biolo^'y. In adilition to 

lixiuii in i)etroil, .Michigan: Louis /., of this receivintj- scientific instruction in brew uij; liipiors, 

rexii'w, who was the first born in America ; iM'cd- he received a di|iloma as master ol the art ol 

erii'k, lixin^ in (, auada ; Mar\, whose home is in brewiuL;-, .and is considered one of the liest jiosted 

South P.akota: .\(lam, wdio is liviiiL; in l.;iusinti. men in the liusiness, while under his capable ad- 

Miclii!,;an: \ alentine, a resident of C'anaila ; and ministration lln' wcirkinL;s of the jilant at Y])si- 

llarbara. ;i"lso living in t'atiada. lauti have been I'.arefullx conducted and the out- 

In the place of his ualivil\ Louis /.. b'oerster put has found a \'ery re;id\- sale on the m.irket, 

was reared and educated, and after puttiuL; .asidi' while the const;mtl\ increasiui.; ilemaud has 

his text-books he learned the car|ieuter's trade, brout^bt a substantial i^rowib to the business year 

which he followed until he came to Vi)silanti, after year. .Mr. lujcster's home is a band.sonie 

Michig.'in, in 1X70. b"or thirt\-five \-ears he has two-story brick residence near the brewery, and 

been a resident of this cit\ and has bi'Come known he (wvns a f.arm of one hundred and three acres 

as one of its eiiertjetic and reliable business men. inside the cit\ limits, and twelve acres Just oul- 

On his removal here he purchased the old brew- side. 




L. Z. FOERSTER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



129 



Before leavintj Canada Mr. Foerster was mar- 
ried ill i860 to Miss Augusta Leffner. now de- 
ceased. They had one son, Jacob L. 

After losing his first wife Mr. Foerster mar- 
ried Rosanna Smith, also a native of Canada, and 
thev had six children, of whom four are living". 
The eldest son, Jacob L. Foerster, married Hat- 
tie Kimmeil, and they have five children : Louis, 
Nellie, Charles, Minnie and Florence. Louis K. 
married IMary Schade and has one chil<l. Lin- 
den. Anna is the widow of Adam .Sclianer. Al- 
bert C. married l-'mma i^'uller, and has three chil- 
dren: Farl, Anna and Ethel. Lillian is at home. 
( )ne son and one dau.ghter have passed awa}' ; 
Leopold, wild wedded iNlary Peters and died 
leaving one child, Rosanna ; and Clara, who be- 
came the wife of Dr. E. E. Weber, and left one 
daughter, Clara J. 

In his political views Mr. Foerster has always 
been a democrat, but it without aspiration for 
office, preferring to give his time and attention 
to his business affairs, and in the control of his 
brewing industry he has won gratifying success 
as the years have gone by. The study of biog- 
raphy yields in point of interest and profit to no 
other, and in the record of the life of the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch, there is much 
to learn and much that may prove of value in in- 
dicating to others the plans and methods which 
he has followed to win the brilliant success which 
has crowned his undertakings. The business 
policy which he has followed has been most com- 
mendable. He is methodical, careful and thor- 
ough, requiring that the strictest honesty prevail 
in his establishment, and thus he has won tiie re- 
spect of his business associates and all with whom 
he has had dealings. 



NELSON SUTHERLAND. 

Nelson Sutherland, deceased, was one of the 
leading politicians of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw 
county and represented a pioneer family of this 
section of the state. He was born in Pittsfield 
township, August 18, 1840, his parents being 
Langford and Lydia ( McMichael ) Sutherland, 



who were natives of the eastern part of New 
York. They came to Michigan about 1834, 
settling in Pittsfield township, Washtenaw 
county, among its early residents. There the 
father cleared a farm and engaged in general 
agricultural jjursuits throughout his remaining 
days, both he and his wife passing away on the 
old homestead. 

Nelson Sutherland was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Pittsfield township and also at- 
tended the public schools of Ann Arbor, where 
he ac<|uired a good education. He assisted his 
father on the old homestead until he had saved 
enough money to purchase a farm of his own and 
then bought a tract of land in his native township 
bordering what is known as the old gravel road 
between Ypsilaiiti and Saline. Here he began 
farming on his own account. He was married No- 
vember 22. i86(:), to Miss Ckibriella E. Drake, a 
native of Livingston county, Michigan, and a 
daughter of Adam Rorabacher, who was a 
pioneer of Livingston county, Michigan, where 
he worked at the blacksmith's trade until his 
<leath. His wife died when Mrs. Sutherland was 
an infant and she was then taken into the home 
of her aunt, Mrs. Sarah Drake, who also resided 
in Livingston county and by whom she was 
reared. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland became the 
])arents of a daughter and son : Ada is now the 
wife of Professor Louis P. Jocelyn, who is a 
profes.sor in the high school in Ann Arbor and 
resides at No. 345 South Division street, being a 
near neighbor of her mother; Frank L. married 
.Minnie Davis and the\' reside in Detroit, where 
he is engaged in business as a manufacturer of 
leather specialties. 

After his marriage Mr. Sutherland resided on 
the farm in Pittsfield township for about four 
years and then purchased a farm of one hundred 
and sixtv acres in .Ann Arlxir township known 
as the old Marcum place, southwest of Ypsilanti. 
There he devoted his energies to general agri- 
cultural pursuits until 1878, when he was chosen 
deputy sherift' and took up his abode at the county 
seat. He held the ofiice for many years and was 
then made street commissioner, in which capacity 
he served up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred on the 23d of November, 1894. In 



I30 



r.-VST AXD PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



addition to these offices he was also alderman of 
his ward for one term and he always took an ac- 
tive interest in politics, g'iving stanch support to 
the democracy. Socially he was connected with 
the Maccabees at Ann Arbor. In the discharge 
of his official duties and as a private citizen he 
gained a wide acquaintance and there was in his 
character many sterling traits that gained for 
him friendly regard and consideration, so that 
his death was greatly deplored by many friends. 
Airs. .Sutherland is a member of the Congrega- 
tional church of Ann Arbor and she owns a large 
and beautiful home at No. 526 South Division 
street, where she has lived for about seventeen 
vear.s. 



EUGENE STEWART CILAIORE. 

Eugene Stewart Gilmore. su]jt.rintendent nf the 
University Hospital since ii;oo, was born at St. 
Cloud, ^linnesota, in 18(17, his parents l)L'ing 
Addison and Xewbelia ((iraves) Cilmore, Imtli 
of whom were natives of the state of New York, 
Tlie father was a broommaker bv trade and fol- 
lowed that pursuit the greatir part of his life. 
He spent his last days in Ypsilanti, Michigan, 
where he died in ifSS^, at the age of fift\-onc 
years, and his widow, still surviving him, makes 
her home there. They were the parents of eight 
children, of whom five are yet living, as follows : 
Mrs. H. C. Aliner, of Ypsilanti; Charles .\., a 
mining engineer, living in I'utte Citw Montana: 
Eugene S. : Mrs. James Seymour, living in Ypsi- 
lanti, and Mrs. William Miley, of Detroit. 

Eugene S. ( lilmore accompanied his parents 
on their remm-al to Yjisilanti, Michigan, when 
quite yoinig, and continued his studies in the 
Y]5silanti high school, from which he was gradu- 
ated with the class of 1886. He entered upon 
his business career as an emplo\e in the general 
offices of the Michigan Central Railroad Com- 
pany, at Detroit, where he remained for four 
years, when he became connected with tlu- .\nn 
.•\rbor Railway Company as clerk and cashier of 
the freight department, acting in that capacity 
for six years. He .spent the siicceedig vear in 
tile service of the Pere Mar(|uette liailroad. after 



which Ik- returncil to the Ann .Vrlior Ivailroad, 
and was agent in the city of .\nn Arbor for 
three years. ( )n the expiration of that period 
in 1900 he accepted his present position as super- 
intendent of the University Hospital, in which 
capacit}- he has since been retained, giving e.x- 
cellent service by reason of his capable business 
life and jiractical management. 

Mr. ( iilmore was married in 1892. to Miss 
.\lae AI. Hanghart, of .\nn .Arbor, who died in 
iS()3. In ],Si)3 he married Charlotte Clark, of 
this city, and they have one daughter. I'.ertha 
-Mae, horn here in 1899. Mr. Gilmore is a mem- 
lier of the .Masonic fraternity, belonging to the 
lodge and commandery at .Ann Arbor, and he is 
also connected with the Woodmen of America, 
the Court of Honor and the Maccabees tent, hav- 
ing been venerable counsel of the last named. 
He votes with the re]niblican jiarty, and in the 
spring of 1901 was elected to the city council, 
since which tin'e he has been chosen as its presi- 
dent, so that he is now acting in the management 
of .Ann .Arbor interests, and he has given ])r(X>f 
of his ]Datriotic spirit and loyalty to the city's 
welfare through the exercise of his official pre- 
rogatives in support of all measures for jiractical 
and i^rogressive benefit here. In church and re- 
li.gious work he is likewise interested, and is 
now serving as a trustee of the Methodist church, 
while for the past eight years he has been presi- 
dent ot the "N'oimg Men's Christian .Association. 
He deserves mention \vith the leading residents 
of .\nn -\rbor, for in him are embraced an una- 
bating energy, imswerving integrity arnd industry 
that never fails, and his co-operation has been 
a forceful factor in behalf of the political and 
moral status of the comnnniit\'. 



EDW VRD I'. WWRXl'.K. 

Edward P. \\'arner, who has throughout his 
entire life fotlowcd the occupation of farming, 
was born in \'ork township on the .^oth of June, 
1870. His father, \\'illiam H. \\'arner. is like- 
wise a farmer, owning and operating onr hun- 
dred and fourteen acres of land. He, too, was 



PAST .VXD I'KESEXT OF U'ASHTEXAW CuL'XTV. 



131 



hnru ill N'ork tiiwnsliip, and the gTandfather. 
Homer Warner, was a native of Xew York, and 
Ijecanie one of the original settlers of Washtenaw 
eoiintw takini;' up his aljode in Y(Trk townsliip 
when the road between Sahne and Ahjiiroe. now 
cahed the old territorial road, was nothing' hut 
an Indian trail. The grandmother. Mrs. Homer 
\\'arner. is now one of the oldest ladies residing 
in York township, and also one of the oldest resi- 
dents of the county. She came from the Empire 
state with her father, making the journey by 
water iti Toledo, Ohio, and thence flriving across 
the country to Alilan. ^Jichigan. The state was 
then under territorial rule, and the Indians were 
far more numerous than the white settlers in 
this localitx. Mrs. and Mrs. Homer Warner had 
a tvpical pioneer dwelling and underwent the 
usual hardships and experiences of frontier life, 
and as the years passed by took an active and 
helpful part in the reclamation of this part of 
the state for the purposes of civilization. Ho- 
mer Warner passed away in ujoo in the eighty- 
sixth \ear of his age, and. as before stated, his 
widow is still living. 

\Mlliam H. Warner was reared amid frontier 
environment, and with the limited opportunities 
for education common in pioneer districts, but 
experience, observation and reading have largeh 
broadened his knowledge as the years have gone 
hy. He has alvvaws devoted his attention to farm- 
ing, and still resides on his farm in York town- 
ship. He was united in marriage to Miss Sevira 
t'hase. a native of Monroe cotintv, ^lichigan. 
who died at the age of twentv-two years, when 
her sou Edward was only three months old. The 
father afterward married again, his second union 
being with INliss Marv T.ird. ami by this marriage 
there was one son. Homer R.. wlvi is now living 
in South liend, Indiana. 

Edward P. \\'arner jHirsued his education in 
the public schools, completing the high school 
course in .Milan, and throughout his entire life 
has been connected with general agricultural our- 
suits. The practical knowledge which he gained 
of farming in his youth has proven of the utmost 
value to him in his later years as he has carried 
on the work of the home farm. He was mar- 
ried on the 2 1 St of December. 1892, to Miss 



Minnie E. McAIulliii, a daughter of James and 
Pollv .McMullin. of York township. They now 
have one son, Raymond, who was born Mav 20, 
1897. 

Air. Warner is identified with two fraternal 
orders, being a valued member of the Masonic 
and Knights of Pythias lodges in Milan. In 
ce'unmunity affairs he has been interested, and as 
a supporter of the democratic party has done 
effective service for its success. He was trea.s- 
urer of York township in 1897 and 1898, and for 
four terms, from icjOi until igo5, was supervisor. 
His lines of life have been cast in harmony with 
the recorfl of a worthy ancestry, and the work 
which was instituted bv his grandfather and car- 
ried on bv his father is being continued liy him 
in practical and beneficial manner. 



JOHX ORREX TPIOMPSOX. 

lohn Orren Thompson was born in the state 
of A'ermont, Au.gust 24, 1862. the son of Leamon 
( )rren anil Orra f Chamberlain) Thompson, the 
former a native of New York and the latter of 
Vermont. In Eebruary, 1868, they removed 
from their farm in Monroe county, Michigan, to 
Dexter. Washtenaw county, which was there- 
after their home and where the father carried on 
the business of a car]ienter and builder. He 
died April 10. 1896. and the mother Xovember 
21. 1897. 

It was in Dexter that the suliject of this 
sketch grew to manhood, his education being 
obtained in the Dexter schools, .\fter leaving 
school he worked at the painter's trade for sev- 
eral vears, spending about a year, in 1883-4. in 
the state of Colorado. In January. 1886. he de- 
cided to engage in newspaper work and oljtained 
employment an the Dexter Leader, continuing 
there until July. 1887. when he accepted the 
position of citv editor on the Al|)ena Pioneer, at 
.Mpena, Michigan, where he remained until 1889, 
when he returned to Dexter and agiain entered 
the employ of the Leader. In 1891 he accepted 
the position of city editor on the Mount Clemens 
Press, at Mount Clemens, Michigan, which posi- 



132 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tion Ik- resigiu'd lo ri'tiini to Dcxli'i' ami (.•nj^a.q'ed 
in business tor hiiiiMlf. estahlisliini;" tlu- nt'xter 
News in Dcc(.'nil)(.T, :Xc)i. 'I'his jiapiT lie pul)- 
lished until S(.-ptenil)i.T. iSij^. wlu'ii he ])uiTliascd 
the good will and snlisiM-jptiiin list of thr Dexter 
Leader and consolidated it with the News under 
the name of the Dexter Leader, wliich was the 
pioneer pa])er of die villaL;^' and of which he is 
still the editor and ]nil)lisher. 

Althon.n'li lU'ver es]>ecially acti\e in i)olitics, he 
has always taken a deep interesl in ])olitical af- 
fairs. In igo2 he was elected a member of the 
school board of wdiicli he was moderator for three 
ye'ars, and was re-elected as a meml)^■r of the 
bixu-d in Hp5 : was also elected a member of the 
villag'e coimcil in I(p4: has been clerk of the 
Dexter t'enieter\ Corporation since hnu, iSi)S. 
and is a member of the followiuf;- societies: Wash- 
tenaw lod.iie, \o. 05. A. 1'". & A. M.: past worth)- 
])atron of Washtenaw chapter. .\o. 302. O. E. S. ; 
])ast s'r^nid of I luron lodtje, .\o. 30. T. ( ). ( ). F. : 
also member of C'rystal tent. No. 279. K. O. T. 
M. ]\r., and of Division Xo. ~~. K. of L. G. 

( )n January 30. i8(;2, he was united in mar- 
riasj'e to Miss Mary Louise Harrington, who was 
also a resident of Dexter and the\ have a familv 
of four children: ( )rren .Sidiie\ , ( )rra l.onise, 
Jolni Cliainberlain and Duane 1 larrini^ton. 



RE\'. J( )XA Til W l'.. kUllAUDS. 

Rev. b)nathan 1'., Richards, a distinj^uished di- 
vine of tlu' 1 'resbyterian clnn-ch, well known 
throntjiiout .Michigan, was born near TieiUon, 
New N'ork, in 1845. His ])arents, Lewis and 
JMueline ( L'anip ) Richards, were natives of 
Wales, and crossing- the Atlantic in earh lift', 
bi'came residents of the state of New ^'ork. The 
father purchased a farm near Trenton and be- 
came one of the wealthv ai;riculturists of that lo- 
cality, when- both he :md his wife spent their re- 
mainini^ days. The capable mana,tjenHnt of his 
business interests, his keen discerinnent and un- 
tla,ij,a;int;' enertiy i)ri>ved the basis of his success 
and m.ade Inm a wealtln man. 



Re\'. Jonathan 1'",. Richards. re:ire(l in his na- 
tive co\nUy. be^an his education in the |)ublic 
schools there, and afterward attended the Wes- 
leyan I'niversity. Subse(|uently he became a stu- 
(leiU in lloston Theoloi^ical Seminarx and after- 
ward entered ^ ale tOIlei^e, thus receiving;' super- 
ior educational facilities. 1 laving' prepared for 
the ministry he weiU to New I laven, Connecti- 
cut, wdiere he took charge of the Methodist iilpis- 
co|)al church, remainint; there for tliree \ears. 
lie then went to St. Johns. .\lichiL;an, where he 
accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian church, 
remainins;' in charge at that place for ei,L;ht years. 
Sulise(|uentl\ he tra\-eled o\er the state for sev- 
eral years, deliverinjLi' lectures and winniuL; wide 
fame as a platform orator. l'",ventnall\' he settled 
in MoinU Clemens, wln're for three \ears he was 
pastor of the I 'resbyterian church. Me had been 
in ill liealth for several years, and traveled lari;el\' 
in the hope of heiuL; benilited therebx. At K-n,L;th 
his health, hmvevei', forced him to resit^ii his pas- 
torate, Intt he contimted to make his home in 
.MomU (lemens tnuil calle<l to his final rest. 

Rev. Richards was married in I'ltlton, New 
^'ork, to Miss Ilitldah Loomis. a native of that 
place and a ,<jraduate of the Falley Seminary at 
I'nlton. of the class of i8fi8. The Loomis family 
were the first to locate at l<"tilton, and Mrs. Rich- 
ards is a member of the ( )rder of Colonial Dames. 
and also the Dau.nhters of the .\merican Revolu- 
tion. .She was to her husband a most devoted 
com])anion .and hel]imate. and since his death she 
has displayed splendid business and execittive 
force, at tlie same time possessing' those true 
womanly traits of character that have endeared 
her to all, while her social (ptalities have made 
her ,1 leader in societx- circles here. I'nto Mr. 
and Mrs. Richards were born four children. 
.\nne. the eldest, a graduate of tlie Michi,i;an Uni- 
\ersit\ of .\nn .\rbor. is the wife of Harry Cole- 
man, who was also a university student, and was 
prominent in literary circles in Aim \rbor. He 
is now tlie owner and pnlilisher of the I )aily I'ress 
at I'ontiac, Michigan, where he and his wife re- 
side, lie has had several tiattering offers to re- 
turn to Ann .\rbor and take charge of one of the 
daih' pa|)ers here, but is meetiiiL; with L;ratif\ing 
success in I'ontiac. :ind therefore does not make 




J E.RICHARDS 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



135 



the change. Florence L. Richards, also educated 
in the State University, is now a teacher in the 
Shortridge high school in Indianapolis, Indiana. 
and the superintendent of that school has spoken 
of her as its best teacher. Lewis L. is a talented 
musician now studying in Europe. .\ contempo- 
rary publication said of him: "Lewis L. Rich- 
ards, the young .\merican, who has wnn such 
signal honors aboard, evinced at an early age. 
a remarkable musical talent, and was encouraged 
liy several eminent teachers to make his life work 
along musical lines. His early musical educa- 
tion was received from Mrs. Boris L. (;ana])ol. 
the Detroit pianist, and he later studied with .\1- 
Ijerto Jonas, while attending school in .\nn .\rb'>r. 
The inspiration and guidance of his early studies 
followed the young man through his whole ca- 
reer and culminated in lyoj in a trip abroad. 
Young Richards applied for admission to the ]3ri- 
■ vate class of De("ireef. the great I'elgian pianist. 
and was immediately accepted and ccintinued to 
work with that great master for one year. 1 )e- 
Greef greatly encouraged him to go further, and 
•chose him as one of six young men. whom he se- 
lects each \ car from a large number of appli- 
cants, for his class in the Royal Conservatory of 
]\hisic located at Brussels, Belgium. Here Rich- 
ards continued to make such rapid strides that at 
the end of the year, he was the only one of his 
class whii successfully passed the rigid conserva- 
torv examinations. Tn the middle of the second 
years of his conservatory work, on a visit of King 
Leopold to the institution, young Richards was 
presented to his majesty as "one of the most 
gifted pupils" in the great conservatory. .\t the 
end of the year — Jime, 1905 — Richards entered 
the conservatory contests and was awarded by a 
jurv composed of Gaevaert. director of the Brus- 
sels conservatory, Kozul, director of the conserva- 
tory at Roubaix, Ghymers, Potjes, Tinel. etc., the 
first prize with distinction, the first time in the 
history of that institution that an .\merican had 
captured the honor. Mr. Richards returned to 
Europe in .September for further study and for 
concert work, he already having a tour arranged 
for Belgium and Holland." Theodore Nelson, 
the youngest member of the Richards family, is 
now a student in the high school of .\nii .\rbor 
and resides with his mother. 



Rev. Richards departed this life on the ist of 
()cti>ber, iS()3. He was a distinguished minister 
and a prominent citizen of Michigan, well known 
as a lecturer throughout the state. His scholarly 
attainments won him the admiration of all. while 
his humanitarian principles gained him the love 
and esteem of his fellowmen. He lived for others, 
and his devotion to his family was largely ideal. 
.\s Mrs. Richards intended to make .\nn .\rbor 
her future home, she had the remains of her hus- 
band brought here for interment. It was her de- 
sire to have her children educated in Michigan 
Universitv, and in 1804 s'le removed from ]\Iount 
Clemens to this city and her children continued 
their studies here. ^Irs. Richards is very ]iromi- 
nent in social circles, being recognized as a leader 
bv reason of her tact, her kindly disposition, her 
superior culture and her generous hospitality. 
Moreover, she possesses splendid business ability 
and has made judicious investment of her means. 
She has built several houses, and has r'-cently 
erected two nice residences on East Huron street, 
one of which she has sold, while the other, at No. 
713 East Huron street, she and her children now 
occupv. She has every reason to be proud of her 
family, for all have attained distinction in literary 
or professional circles, and the influence of the 
members of the Richards family has ever been on 
the side of intellectual and aesthetic culture. 



JACOB .\. GWTNNER. 

Jacob .\. Gwinner. who is now living retired 
in -Vnn Arbor, was born in this city in iSC->g and 
is a representative of a worthy German family 
of Washtenaw county. His parents were Wil- 
liam .\lbert and .\melia (Rupff) Gwinner. The 
father was born in Germany and in that country 
he was engaged in the cutlery business. He 
came of Italian ancestr\-, his father having re- 
mo\'ed from Italy to Germany, where he changed 
the spelling of his name to its present form. Wil- 
liam .\. Gwinner continued in the country of his 
nativit}- until 1857. when he crossed the Atlantic 
to .America, going first to Ohio. There he was 
employed for a year, after which he came to .\nn 



136 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Arbor, where lli^ people had preceded him. Here 
he began working for J. C. Mead as a farm hand 
and when Mr. Mead was elected sheriff of the 
county he chose Mr. G winner as his deputy, and 
the latter held the office for two years. At the 
time of the Civil war lie espoused the cause of 
his adopted country and enlisted in 1861 in de- 
fense of the I'nion as a member of the First 
Michigan Military r.and, serving for three 
months, when he was nnistered out. He then 
went into business with his father and brothers 
under the firm style of Gwinner & Sons, dealers 
in cutlery, on Washington street, .\nn .\rbor. 
This mercantile enterprise claimed his attention 
until 1867, when he rented the HansclifT Block, 
which contains the opera house, and was not 
onl\- manager of the opera house but also con- 
ducted a confectionery and ice cream parloY and 
saloon. In .\la\ , iHCx), he bought property at No. 
220 Detroit street, where he handled liquors up 
to the time of his death, which occurred on the 
3d of June, iijoi . 

In the family of .Mr. and Mrs. William A. 
Gwinner were si.x children, of whom one died in 
infancy, the others 1)eing: William, Jacob, Emma. 
Julia and Ernest. In his political views the 
father was a demcjcrat and never faltered in his 
allegiance to that party. 

Jacob .\. Gwinner ac(|uireil his education in 
the public schools of .\nn .\rbor and on putting- 
aside his text books he worked for Luick Broth- 
ers, in whose employ he remained for eight years. 
Following his father's death he took charge of 
the liquor business in connection with his brother 
William, and after a partnershi]) of four years 
he purchased his brother's interest in i8q7 and 
conducted the business alone until ii;02, when he 
sold out. He later went into ])nsiness at No. 
109 North Main street, wdiere he conducted the 
Orient until May, IQ03, when he again sold out. 

In iSt)4 Mr. (iwinner was united in marriage 
to Miss Matie Carr, of .\nn .Vrbor. He votes 
with the democracy, but is witliout political as- 
|)iration. llowe\-er, he is interested in all that 
pertains to the welfare and progress of the city 
and has given active co-operation to many move- 
ments for the general good. He lives at No. 
504 North Vihh ax'enue, where he owns a fine 



residence. He has a very wide and favorable ac- 
quaintance among the German-American citizens 
of .Ann .\rbor and the circle of his friends is 
constant! \' increasing. 



CHRISTIAN SCHLENKER. 

L'hristian .Schlenker, who has recently com- 
pleted one of the fine brick business blocks of 
Ann .\rl)or, in which he is successfully engaged 
in business as a dealer in hardware, stoves and 
furnaces, is not only classed with the leading rep- 
resentatives of trade interests, but is also num- 
bered among those, who aside from business life, 
ha\e contributed to the public w^elfare through 
snpport of measures that are based upon tlie gen- 
eral need and the iiossibilities for accomplishment 
in behalf of the city. -V native of (iermany. he. 
was boi-n in Wurtemberg. March 20, i860. His- 
father, John ( i. .Schlenker, is deceased. He was 
an agriculturist and came to Ann .\rboi- in the 
\ear 1871. Ills wife Ijore the maiden name of 
.\nna I laller. 

Christian .Schlenker acquired his education in 
the schools of his native countr\' until 1871. when 
he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, and has 
since been a resident of .\nn .-\rbor. Here he at- 
tained his majority, and in 1885 was united in 
marriage to Miss P.ertha Roehm, a native of this 
citw The\' now have five children: Ernest E., 
who is associated with his father in business: 
Martin Adolph, who is in the sho]5 connected 
with his f:uher's store: Emil Henry and Anna, 
lioth in school ; and Paul I )tto, yet at home. 

After completing his education, l'hristian 
.^chlenker became familiar with the hardware 
business as an employe of John I'fister, and since 
1885 has conducted a store on his own account. 
l)eing now located at Nos. 2 1 3-2 1 5 Libert\- street 
west. He has recently completed a new lirick 
building which is a handsome structure, and in 
which he carries a large line of hardware, stoves, 
fiu-naces, ])aints, oils, pumps, cutler\- and general 
supplies. His business methods have shown him 
wortlu of the support and confidence of the pub- 
lic, and a liberal trade is accorded him. His dili- 




CHRISTIAX SCHLEXKER. 



PAST AND I'RESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



139 



1,'t'iicc and ])crsistcncy of purpose constitute the 
basic elements of his prosperity and ]jrove that 
success may be attained by all who have tlie de- 
tennination to win it through methods that he 
has emplo)'ed. 

.Mr. Schlenker holds social relations with the 
.\rl)eiter \'crein, the .Shar]> .Shooters and with the 
( )dd Fellows. Me has taken all of tiie degrees in 
ihe last mentioned, and has been representative 
to the grand lodge. His religinus faith is that of 
the Zion [.utheran church, I lis ])olitical views 
accord witii democratic ])rinci])les. and he lias 
been elected and served as alderman of the sec- 
mid ward. .\s a member of the city council he 
has exercised his official prerogatives in introduc- 
ing and supjiorting measures which have their 
root in the needs and possibilities of the city and 
that are intended to promote its welfare and sub- 
stantial improvement. lie is practical in all that 
he does — in his business life, in his official serv- 
ice anrl in his social relations — and an investiga- 
tion into his life history brings forth many sterl- 
ing elements that are worthy of emulation and of 
commendation. 



FRIEDRICH HEUSEL. 

The business interests of Ann Arlx3r have a 
worthy and well known representative in Fried- 
rich Heusel, the extent and scope of his opera- 
tions having made him a successful man. lie 
was born in Wurtcmberg, Germany, May i, 
1850, a son of Friedrich Heusel. Sr., who died 
in the fatherland in 1900. The mother, who bore 
the maiden name of IVTary Steinmaier, has also 
departed this life. 

Friedrich Heusel, reared and educatcfl in his 
native country, came to America when twenty- 
three years of age. He located first in New 
Haven, Connecticut, where for four years he 
was employed in a machine shop, but the better 
business opportunities of the west with its greater 
competition and advancement more quickly se- 
cured, attracted him and he made a visit to the 
Mississippi valley in 1877, spending some time 
in Chicago, Omaha, St. Louis and other cities. 



However, at that time he returned to New 
I iaven, w here he worked in a large bakery, which 
he coiKliK'ttTl until 1879. That year witnessed 
his arrival in y\nn Arbor and for fourteen years 
he was employed by the firm of Koch & Haller. 
In ]H()4 Ik- established a large bakery at the pres- 
iiil site of 2f/) East Huron street, and is now con- 
ducting an extensive wholesale bakery and con- 
fectionery business with a well equipped plant, 
and the excellence of the product secures a very 
extensive and gnjwing patronage. 

In 1883 Mr. Heusel was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary .\icthanimer, of Freedom, Michi- 
g;ui, aufl they have two sons and two daughters: 
l-'riedricli j,, who is in business with his father: 
,\nianda I'aulina : l'>win Carl; I'ricda inar- 
guerita. 

Mr. Heusel is a member of the Arbeiter Vcr- 
ein and his political views are in accord with re- 
publican principles. He has gained and retained 
the confidence and respect of his fellowmen and 
is distinctively one of the leading citizens of Ann 
;\rbor, being the founder and owner of the busi- 
ness which contributes to general commercial 
prosperity as well as individual success. It is a 
matter of history that the Teutonic race has been 
a most important element in the colonization, up- 
building and progress of many lines and the Ger- 
man-American citizenship of America possesses 
a worth acknowledged by all. Mr. Fleusel dis- 
plays many of the strong and sterling character- 
istics of the fatherland, which, combined with 
the enterprise and jirogressive spirit that domi- 
nates the middle west has made him one of the 
jtrosperous residents of his adopted city. 



EUGENE OESTERLIN. 

Eugene Oesterlin, who is engaged in the real 
estate, insurance and conveyancing business in 
Ann Arbor, is among the worthy citizens that 
Germany has furnished to Washtenaw county. 
His birth occurred in the fatherland in 1837, his 
parents being Eugene and Nanette fStenger) 
Oesterlin, both of whom were natives of Ger- 



I40 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



many. Tlicy never came tn America, anil luive 
now departed this life. Jn tlieir family were 
five children, Eugene being the onh' one who 
ever sought a home in the new world. He ac- 
quired a good education in the .schools of his na- 
tive place, and in early manhood became a for- 
ester, being employed in that way until his emi- 
gration tii the new world. llusiness ambition 
prom]jted his coming to .\merica. and he settled 
in Ann .\rbor in 1864. He was first employed in 
a tannery in Saline townshi]), W'aslitenaw county, 
and subsequently secured a jiosition as book- 
keeper for the firm of P'innegan & Howard, deal- 
ers in agricuhiu'al im|)lements. He afterward 
went upon the road as a traveling salesman for 
the Champion Machine Company of Ohio, which 
he represented for some time, when he again took 
U]") his abode in Ann Arbor and opened an office 
for the conduct of a real tstate and fire iusm^- 
ance Imsiness. He is also conve\ancer for the 
German citizens of the county, settling up estates 
for them in Germany and ]ierforming other such 
services. He has acted as their re|)resentative 
in the matter of inheritances and does a general 
conveyancing business. He has also hrnidled 
some valuable projierly and negotiated a numlier 
of important realty transfers. 

In i866, in Ann Arbor, Mr. Oesterlin was 
married to ^liss Piarbara W'eis, who was born in 
this city and is of German lineage. Thev now 
have five children : ?Aigcne, who married Tnlia 
Kress, a daughter of John iKress, and has one 
child, Elsie; Julius, of Grand Rai)ids. .Michigan, 
who married Maggie Stahl, of Ionia, this state; 
Ida, the wife of John Gahringer, and tin- motbei' 
of one son, Eugene; and ()scar and l,uell:i, liotli 
at home. The family attend the Catholic chm-ch. 
of which Mrs. Oesterlin is a communicant. .Mr. 
Oesterlin is a charter member of the ( ierman 
society called the .Allgemeiner .Arbeiter I'limd, in 
which he is holding offict', likewise ( lermania 
lodge. No. 457, of the Deutcher ( )rder of Haru- 
gari. In politics he has been ;i democrat since 
becoming a naturalized .\merican citizen, and 
for the past sixteen years hv has lieen su])ervisor 
for the second ward, where be makes his Imnie. 
He is a reliable, tru.stworthy business man, held 
in high esteem, and is one of the leading German- 



American citizens of Ann Arbor. His hope of 
benefiting his financial condition has been more 
than realized in the new world, for he has found 
here the position he sought and through the im- 
pro\emcnt of opportunity has gained a place 
among the sul)stantial residents of Washtenaw 
countv. 



1). I'EVTOX SULLRAAN. 

1). Teuton Sullivan, deserving mention among 
the most )>niminent of Ypsilanti's business men 
and representative citizens, has made a creditable 
record in connection with one of the most im- 
|iortant |)roductive industries of this citv. His 
force of character, unquestioned business integ- 
rity and control of circumstances have contributed 
in an eminent degree to the solidity and progress 
of the entire community, and he is to-day the 
secretary and treasurer of the Scharf Tag, Label 
& Box Com]iany, operating an immense establish- ■ 
ment with a large output. Mr. Sullivan was born 
in ^^'ells, Somersetshire, England, in 1863. His 
father, John Pevton Stdlivan, was a native of 
Ireland, and was a |)aper manufacturer, becom- 
ing an expert at that business in all of its 
branches. He was provided with exceptional ed- 
ucational facilities, having been a student in Dub- 
lin Cniversity, and for manv vears he was an 
honored and \a1ned resident of Yjjsilanti, to 
which city he came in 1875. He married Miss 
I'-mma Coles, whose birth occurred in \Vells, 
I'Aigland, and Imth passed away in 11)03. Mr. 
Stdlivan departed this life at the age of seventy- 
eight years. His wife died very suddenly a few 
months atter his demise when sixtv vears of age. 
In their family were five children; Harry C, 
I). Peyton, Jessie A.. .Aniu'e L. and Arthur I. 

I). r'e\tou Sulliva)! was only three vears old 
when he was brought by his parents to the new 
world, the family home being established in Can- 
,-ida, where he acquired his early education. He 
was a youth of fourteen when he came with his 
I'ather and mother to Ypsilanti, and in the schools 
of this city he continued bis studies and also took 
up the studv of bookkeeping. Pie likewise ])rof- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



141 



ited nnicli t'l-oni the instruction of his mother, who 
was a hii;:hly echicated lady. .After finishing his 
studies he returned to Canada and entered upon 
his business career as an employe in the mills of 
the Canada Paper Company at Sherbrooke. 
where his father was acting as manager. He 
thoroughly mastered the paper business both in 
principle and detail and remained with that com- 
Ijany until 1883. when he returned to Vpsilanti 
and entered the employ of the Ypsilanti Paper 
Company. He acted in different capacities until 
he was made one of the office force, so continu- 
ing mitil 1891, when he entered the employ of 
If. I', (jlover, .of the Ypsilanti Dress Stay Marui- 
lacluring Company, of which -\lr. Clover was the 
head. Mr. Sullivan served as bookkeeper in con- 
nection with this and other enterprises controlled 
by .Mr. Clover, until he became secretary and man- 
ager of the Scharf Tag, Label & Box Company, 
which is his present business connection. The com- 
pany owns and controls an extensive plant, occu- 
pying a handsome brick and stone building on 
Pearl street, where are manufactured shipping, 
merchandise and metal edge tags and advertising 
labels. They also conduct a book and job printing 
department and are book binders and engravers, 
with a trade that has made them well known in 
business circles. Their patronage has steadil\- 
grown and they employ from sevent\'-five to one 
hundred hands, while their annual pay roll 
amounts to about forty thousand dollars. Thev 
have traveling men representing the house on the 
road in every .state in the Union, and in Canada 
as well, and their output is shipped from coast to 
coast and from Canada to the gulf. The business 
was incor])orated in 1887 under its present name 
with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars and 
the surplus now amounts to seventeen thousand 
dollars. The company is ofificered by the follow- 
ing: H. P, Glover, president; Fred C. .\ndrews, 
vice president, and D, P. Sullivan, secretary, 
treasurer and manager. 

In 1892 Mr, Sullivan was married in Ypsilanti 
to .Miss Elizabeth Beach, a daughter of Walter 
\\ Beach, of that city, and they have three chil- 
dren : Frances C., Walter P. and Philip B., all 
born in Ypsilanti, and aged respectivelv ten, 
eight and six vears. 



Mr. Sullivan exercises his right of franchise 
in supjjort of the democracy and is a prominent 
member of the Masonic fraternity, being a past 
master in Ypsilanti lodge. No. 128, A. F. & A. 
M. He had thus acted for three years when he 
joined Phoeni.x lodge, of Ypsilanti. He is like- 
wise a member of the chapter in which he has 
served as king and he is thrice illustrious master 
of the council and is past chancellor commander 
of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and past Sir 
Knight commander of Wolverine tent, K. O. T. 
.M. Pie is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal 
church and has been a vestryman for twenty years. 
A young man. he possesses great business and ex- 
ecutive force and is much esteemed in commercial 
and industrial circles here. He has made rapid 
advancement since entering the emjjloy of Mr. 
( ilover. winning recognition for his business abil- 
ity, determination and unfaltering purpose. His 
life has indeed been a useful one and is in keeping 
with the s|)irit of progress which has dominated 
Michigan from an early day and has led to rnpu\ 
and substantial development of the state. 



WFLLIWM IT. McIXTYRE. 

William H. Mclntyre, a retired merchant of 
Ann .\rbor, now operating to some extent in real 
estate, is a native .son of Washtenaw county, born 
in Xorthfield township in 1834. He is. therefore, 
a representative of one of its pioneer families 
and has been a witness of its growth almost from 
its infancy down to the present time. His father, 
John Mclntyre, was a native of Ireland, and 
came alone to America when twenty years of age, 
possessing the resolute spirit and determination 
that enabled him to sever home ties and cast his 
lot amid strangers in a country whose manners 
aufl customs were unknown to him. He first 
settled in \'erniont. where he worked as a laborer 
and later he made his way westward to Detroit, 
Michigan, where he spent a few years, carefully 
husbanding his resources, his frugality and en- 
terprise bringing him the capital that enabled 
him in 1828 to purchase eighty acres of govern- 
ment land. In 1833 he removed to his farm, set- 
tling in Xorthfield township, Washtenaw county, 



142 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



and with characteristic energy began clearing and 
cultivating it. Some time afterward he bought 
one hundred and twenty acres additional and the 
original tract of eighty acres is still in possession 
of the family. He continne<l to follow farming 
throughout the remainder of his active business 
career, finding in this pursuit the means of pro- 
viding his family with the necessities and some of 
the comforts of life. He bore all of the hard- 
ships and privations incident to the establishment 
of a home on the frontier and the reclamation of a 
farm fmrn the wilderness, and his name is now 
enrolled among the honored pioneer settlers. He 
married Catherine Hefifron, who was also a na- 
tive of Ireland, born in the southern part of the 
Emerald isle, whence she came to America with 
her parents in her early girlhood. She died 
January 14, 1869, at the age of sixty-two years, 
while Mr. JNIdntyre. surviving until Januarx- 5, 
1886, passed away at the very venerable age of 
ninety-six years and seventeen days. They were 
the parents of seven children, four sons and three 
daughters, of whom six are yet living: John, a 
resident of Grand Rapids : William H. ; Mrs. 
Mary Cady ; Patrick G., who is living on the old 
homestead in Northfield township ; Mrs. Ellen 
Nixon; and Mrs. Margaret Clancy. 

William H. Mclntyre pursued his earlv educa- 
tion in the public schools of his native township 
and afterward continued his studies in Ann Ar- 
bor. When twenty-one years of age he became 
constable of Northfield township, and in 1863 
he was made turnkey of the county jail under 
SheriiT Wineger. He thus had charge of the 
jail for four years, on the expiration of which 
period he entered the retail grocery business in 
Ann Arbor, continuing as a merchant here for 
almost three decades. He was also deputy sher- 
ifif at intervals for twenty years. In his store he 
prospered, carrying a carefully selected line of 
goods and securing a patronage which constantly 
increased as the years went by. Since he has 
disposed of his mercantile interests he has en- 
gaged to a greater or less extent in real estate 
dealing and has conducted some important and 
profitable negotiations. 

Mr. Mclntyre has figured prominently in pub- 
lic life as one whose interests center in the gen- 



eral good and who places public welfare before 
personal aggrandizement. In 1872 he repre- 
sented the third ward on the board of city alder- 
men and for several years he has been on the 
board of public works, acting for a considerable 
period as its president. His political allegiance 
is given to the democracy. 

In 1865 Mr. Mclntyre was married in Free- 
dom township to IMiss Sarah Maloney, who was 
born in that township, and was a daughter of 
Patrick Maloney, a native of Ireland, who, when 
a >-oung man crossed the Atlantic to America 
and made his way at once to Washtenaw county, 
settling in the midst of the green woods of Free- 
dom. Mrs. Mclntyre was called to her final rest 
on the 24th of October, 1904, when sixty-seven 
years of age. She left two daughters and three 
sons: Jennie; Kate; William H., who is assistant 
civil engineer to the city engineer of Ann Arbor ; 
Frank J., who is engaged in the theatrical busi- 
ness in New York ; and Donald S., who is an in- 
surance agent of Ann Arbor. Mr. Mclntyre's 
splendid business record, together with his long 
identification with the county, entitles him to 
mention in this volume. His mind bears the im- 
press of the early historical annals of this part 
of the state as well as the record of its later prog- 
ress and improvement, and while he rejoices in 
the present growth and prosperity of the county, 
his memory goes back to many pleasant hours 
when pioneer pleasures were enjoyed such as 
are unknown at the present time. 



MOSES ROGERS. 



Moses Rogers, deceased, was a pioneer mer- 
chant of .\nn Arbor, where he engaged in the 
agricultural implement business for many vears. 
He was born near Syracuse, New York, October 
18, 1810, and his parents, John and Sarah (Mc- 
Carthy) Rogers, were also natives of the Empire 
state. The father was a carpenter by trade and, 
removing to the west at an early day, became con- 
nected with building operations in this city. Sub- 
sequently, however, he removed to Ohio, where 
he lived for a few years and then returned to Ann 




^1^^ 





KATIE J. ROGER'S 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



147 



Arljur f(ir a short time. He next took up his 
abode in Quincy, Michigan, where he Hved re- 
tired throufjhout his remaining days, both he and 
his wife dying there. Among the children born 
unto Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers two became par- 
ticularly well known in Ann Arbor: Dr. Edmund 
Rogers and Randolph Rogers. The former, a 
graduate of one of the best medical colleges of the 
east, was also one of the first students in the 
medical department of the State University of 
Michigan. Tie afterward went to Chicago and 
practiced in the Marine Hospital of that city for 
many years. His death occurred at his niece's 
home in Quincy, Michigan. Randolph Rogers, 
who was a well known sculptor, known through- 
out the country because of his superior ability in 
his chosen art, devoted much of his life to that 
calling in Italy, where he died. He gave to the 
University of Michigan all the statuary that it 
now possesses. 

At the usual age Moses Rogers entered the 
public schools of New York state, wherein he con- 
tinued his studies until he had gained a good prac- 
tical education. Coming to Michigan at an early 
day, he established his home in Ann Arbor when 
there were no railroads here and entered business 
life as a teamster, hauling freight to this city from 
Detroit. He was thus engaged for a few years, 
after which he entered the employ of Mr. Chapin. 
a dealer in agricultural implements, Mr. Rogers 
acting as clerk for several years. In 1843 he pur- 
chased a small store building and began in the 
same line on his own account, continuing in busi- 
ness there for about twelve or thirteen years, 
when he purchased the property that stood on 
the site of the present knitting factory. Remov- 
ing to the latter location, he engaged in business 
on a larger scale and continued to deal in agricul- 
tural implements, selling plows and all kinds of 
farm machinery until he was in control of the 
largest enterprise of this kind in Ann .\rbor. His 
business career, however, was not one continued 
era of prosperity, for on one occasion his plant 
was entirely destroyed by fire. He soon rebuilt 
this, however, and his business grew constantly 
in volume and importance until its assumed very 
extensive proportions, and he was engaged in 
trade up to the time of his death, enjoying in 
8 



later years a patronage that made him one of the 
most ijrosperous merchants of the city. 

In 1843 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to 
Miss Letitia Sweetland, a native of Livingston 
county. New York, and a daughter of Elezer and 
Deborah (Chamberlain) Sweetland, both of 
whom were natives of Vermont, whence they re- 
moved to Livingston county, where they engaged 
in farming until the year 1835. At the time they 
became residents of Washtenaw county, being 
likewise pioneer settlers of this part of the state, 
for they found the county largely an unbroken 
wilderness with only here and there a settlement 
to give promise of future development. Mr. 
Sweetland purchased a tract of land in Lodi town- 
ship and converted it into a good farm, carrying 
on the work of cultivation there up to the time of 
his death. His wife, too, passed away on the old 
homestead, where some of their grandchildren 
still reside. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers became the parents of 
two daughters but Ellen A., who was born Feb- 
ruary 12, 1845. '■lied on the 21st of August, 1862. 
The other daughter, Katie J., born September 12, 
1849, passed away on the 12th of May, 1901. She 
possessed very superior skill and ability as an art- 
ist. She completed two different courses in the 
union schools of Ann Arbor and, being always a 
lover of art. took up study along that line when 
quite young. She did all of her work at home, 
remaining with her mother. Her paintings in- 
clude many landscapes, fruit and flower can- 
vasses, but she gave the greater part of her at- 
tention to portrait painting and her mother's 
home is now decorated with fine life size paint- 
ings of most of the relatives of the family, also 
one fine painting of a sculptor, which work 
claimed the attention of Miss Rogers for a num- 
ber of years. Another of her exceptionally ex- 
cellent works is the portrait of Mr. Kingsley, 
which hangs in the county courthouse in Ann 
Arbor, and is admired by all for its splendid exe- 
cution and likeness. The mother also has many 
books of her daughter's fine paintings of flowers 
painted on canvass. The death of this daughter 
was a great blow to the mother and a deep loss 
to her many friends ; and the art lost one of its 
devoted and talented followers. 



148 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Air. Rogers passed away on the 14th of Oc- 
tober, 1888, and after his death the daughter gave 
up her art work and took charge of her father's 
business, successfully supervising the store for 
seven vears. She then sold the business to the 
firm of Hurd & Holmes and returned to her art 
work. Although Mr, Rogers was never an of- 
fice seeker, he served as alderman of Ann Arbor 
for two years and held other official positions in 
the citv, to which he was called by the vote of 
his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth, 
ability and devotion to the public welfare. His 
early political support was given to the democ- 
racy, but he afterward joined the ranks of the 
republican party. He was at one time a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of 
Ann Arbor ; and he and his wife and daughter at- 
tended tiie Unitarian church. He was recog- 
nized as one of the most prominent, enterprising 
and prosperous business men of Ann Arbor ; and 
both the Rogers and Sweetland families are well 
known to every pioneer of the county. Since 
her husband's death, Mrs. Rogers has made her 
home in the house which they were occupying 
at the time of his demise. It is a large and beau- 
tiful residence at No. 121 North Division street; 
and in addition to this she also owns other valu- 
able property on Detroit street. The name of 
Mr. Rogers is inseparably interwoven with the 
annals of commercial development here, and, 
while he gained a handsome competence through 
his well-directed labors, at the same time he won 
an honorable name through the exercise of busi- 
ness principles, that neither sought nor required 
disguise. 



BERT KENNY. 



Bert Kenny, who is engaged in general agri- 
cultural pursuits in Webster township, was boni 
in this township. May 9, t866, a son of John and 
Adelia (Queal) Kenny. The father was a na- 
tive of Townsend, Windsor county, Vermont, 
boni September 27, 1822, and his parents were 
Munnis and Patty (Campbell) Kenny, both of 
whom were natives of the Green Mountain state, 



whence they came westward to Michigan in 
June, 1829, being among the early settlers here. 
That was a number of years before Michigan's 
admission into the Union and pioneer conditions 
existed on every hand. The grandfather died 
in the year 1864. John Kenny was only seven 
years of age when brought by his parents to this 
state and amid the scenes and environments of 
frontier life he spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth. He was married on the i6th of May, 
1850, to Miss Adelia Queal, a daughter of Henry 
M. and Eliza (Bennett) Queal. They became the 
parents of eight children : Byron D., born April 
28, 1852; Ossin A., April 26, 1854; Eliza J., June 
30, 1856; Ida. January 18, 1858: Munnis, who 
was born March 13, 1864, and died November 
28, 1887; Elmer and Emma, who died in infancy; 
and Bert, of this review. Reuben Queal, an uncle 
of our subject, died December 30, 1902, while 
Adelia Kenny, wife of John Kenny, is the only 
surviving representative of this gleneration of 
the family. John Kenny, father of our subject, 
devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits' 
and for forty years lived upon the old homestead 
which his father had secured on coming to the 
west. In 1890 he built a new home but was not 
long permitted to enjoy it, his death occurring 
on the 17th of September, 1891. 

Bert Kenny spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth upon the old family homestead and after 
his marriage he purchased one hundred and 
twelve acres of that land and began business on 
his own account. He had acquired his early edu- 
cation in the district schools and afterward at- 
tended the high school at Ann Arbor and thus 
gained a good education that well fitted him for 
life's practical and responsible duties. Since pur- 
chasing the home farm he has carried on general 
agricultural pursuits and stock raising and now 
feeds both cattle and sheep, making a specialty 
of Shropshire sheep. Not only his fami animals 
hut everything about his place is kept in excel- 
lent condition and is indicative of the progressive J 
spirit and practical methods of the owner. ' 

On the 13th of February, 1899, ^f- Kenny was 
united in marriage to Miss Hattie Phelps, who 
was born on the 13th of August, 1869, and is a 
daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Gregory) 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



149 



Phelps, both of whom were natives of Scio town- 
ship, the former born June 29, 1837, and the lat- 
ter in 1842. Her father, reared in Washtenaw 
county, eventually became the owner of two hun- 
dred acres of fine farming land and throughout 
his active business career engaged in the tilling 
of the soil, but in 1897 he put aside the work of 
the fields and removed to Ann Arbor, where he 
is now living retired in the enjoyment of a rest 
which he has truly earned and richly merits. 
Unto him and his wife have been born five chil- 
dren and the family circle yet remains unbroken 
by the hand of death. These are : Edgar, who 
married Myrtle Bostwick and is living in Dexter : 
Margaret, the wife of Dr. L. Jones, of Hoopes- 
ton, Illinois ; Nancy, a school teacher of Detroit ; 
Sarah; and Mrs. Kenny. 

Unto our subject and his wife have been born 
six children: Jessie, born February 23, 1890; 
Bertha, torn July 16, 1891 ; Joanna, born De- 
cember 17, 1893; Munnis J., October 28, 1898; 
George P., April 27, 1903; and John, October 
I, 1904. The family have a pleasant home upon 
the farm which has so long been in possession of 
the Kennys, having at one time been the property 
of the grandfather of our subject. In his politi- 
cal views Bert Kenny is a stalwart republican 
and has been called to a number of local offices, 
and in all positions has promptly and caj>ablv 
discharged his duties. He belongs to the Macca- 
bees tent at De.xter. also the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and both he hand his wife are 
members of the Congregational church. They 
liave always been residents of this county and 
Mr. Kenny has continuously lived upon the farm 
which is now his home and which in its excel- 
lent appearance gives every evidence of his care- 
ful supervision and thrift. 



JAMES H. WADE. 

James H. Wade, secretary of the University of 
Michigan, possesses the enterprise and business 
discernment that made him a potent factor in 
commercial circles in Jonesville and that consti- 
tutes him a valued force in the management and 



upbuilding of the leading representative higher 
educational institution in the state. He also 
wields a wide influence in the support of tem- 
perance work and as the champion of progressive 
public movements has contributed in substantial 
measure to the upbuilding of the commonwealth. 
He was born in Onondaga county. New York, 
in 1835. His father, John Wade, was a native 
of England, born in 1799, and in 1825 he came 
to America accompanied by his wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Mary Parker and who was 
a native of Scotland. He settled first in the state 
of Xew York, where he followed farming until 
1844, when he came to Michigan, taking up his 
abode in Litchfield township, Hillsdale county, 
where he purchased a farm and spent his last 
days, his death occurring when he had reached 
the venerable age of seventy-three years. His 
wife passed away at the age of sixty-seven years. 
They were the parents of seven children, one of 
whom died in infancy and another at the age of 
fourteen years, while five reached maturity, al- 
though James H. Wade is now the only survivor. 
In the public schools of Hillsdale county 
James H. Wade acquired his education. He was 
a young man of seventeen years when in 1852 
he went to California, where he accepted the posi- 
tion of agent of a large water company, remaining 
on the Pacific coast until 1856, when he returned 
to Jonesville, Hillsdale county, Michigan. The 
capital which he had acquired in the W'est was 
there invested in a dry goods business, which he 
conducted with success for some time, his brother. 
William W. Wade, joining him in the conduct of 
the enterprise after the close of the Civil war, in 
which he had served. He was a member of Com- 
pany G, Seventh Michigan Infantry, for three 
years, and being commissioned second lieutenant 
he rose to the rank of captain. When his first 
term of service had expired he re-enlisted as a 
member of the Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, but 
before this command had reached the front the 
war was brought to a successful termination. He 
then returned to Hillsdale county and joined his 
brother in business. They opened a hardware 
store in Jonesville and they also dealt extensively 
in grain, in pork and wood, their business repre- 
senting a large investment and bringing to them 



ISO 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



a gratifying financial return. During this period 
James H. Wade also became agent of the railroad 
at Jonesville. 

Interested in active community affairs his labor 
was of the practical character that secures results 
and his public spirit found tangible evidence in 
his far-reaching and beneficial efforts. He acted 
as a member of the board of education of Jones- 
ville for fourteen years, was supervisor and filled 
many township offices. He was also president of 
the village board and his political allegiance was 
given to the republican party. He was also a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and held va- 
rious offices in the lodge. For many years he 
was an elder and a trustee in the Presbyterian 
church in Jonesville and is now one of the elders 
and a member of the board of trustees of the First 
Presbyterian church in Ann Arbor. He was also 
treasurer of the Tappan Presbyterian Associa- 
tion for some time and trustee of the Christian 
Students' Association. 

In 1883 Mr. Wade, whose business capacity 
and ready recognition of opportunity were widely 
recognized, was urgentl}- requested by the board 
of regents of the University of Michigan to be- 
come the secretary of the institution, and after 
careful deliberation he accepted and has since 
served in the position to the entire satisfaction 
of all. He, however, continued to hold an interest 
in his business at Jonesville imtil 1888, and since 
his removal to Ann Arbor he has assisted in the 
organization, and is now one of the directors of 
the State Savings Bank. The cause of higher 
education is of deep concern to him and the 
growth and development of the University of 
Michigan is to him a source of genuine pride 
and satisfaction. He has watched the trend of 
public thought in regard to university education 
and has given his influence in support of those 
measures which secure more effective and practi- 
cal work, and thereby promote the usefulness of 
the individual as a factor in the world's advance- 
ment. 

Mr. Wade was married in Jonesville in 1859 
to Miss Elizabeth A. Sibbald, who was bom in 
that city, and is of Scotch descent. They now 
have two children, the son being Charles F. Wade, 
who was bom in Jonesville and was married 



there to Miss Minnie A. Curtis, of that place. 
He was for twenty years cashier in a private bank 
at Jonesville and is now engaged in the conduct 
of an extensive cement plant there, acting as 
general manager of this large productive con- 
cern. He built the plant and it has become an im- 
portant industry under his direction, now consti- 
tuting a source of gratifying revenue to the 
stockholders. The daughter, Gertrude W. Wade, 
was born in Jonesville and has become the wife of 
\\'alter F. Slocum, of Chicago, by whom she 
has two children, Russell W. and Gertrude E. 
As the )-ears have passed Mr. Wade has left the 
impress of his individuality upon commercial, fi- 
nancial and educational activity in the state. He 
is an idealist in the fact that is always working 
to a greater progress, and yet as a practical man 
of business, he realizes that the means of accom- 
plishment are those at hand. He is a man of 
action rather than of theory, and a courteous 
agreeable manner has gained him the high esteem 
of all who have in any way been associated with 
him. 



GEORGE SCOTT. 



George Scott, who without invidious distinction 
may be termed the leading architect of ^^'ashte- 
naw county, with a business which in volume and 
importance is commensurate with his ability, has 
for thirty years been thus connected with building 
interests of the city. He was born in Hamilton, 
Ontario, February 21). 1832, and spent his early 
life as a student in the schools of Waterloo 
county. After jiutting aside his text-books he be- 
gan preparation for the active and responsible 
duties of a business career as an apprentice under 
the direction of his uncle, Thomas Scott, who was 
an architect. Thoroughly mastering the profes- 
sion, Mr. Scott removed to Ann Arbor in 1880 
and opened an office, since which time he has been 
accorded a liberal patronage, for he was not long 
in demonstrating his superior ability in the line 
of his chosen vocation. Year after year he has 
designed and planned fine structures and many of 
the best buildings of this city stand as monuments 
to his skill. He designed the new Cutting flats. 




GEORGE SCOTT. 



Jj^"<, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



153 



the building of the School of Alusic, the Episcopal 
parsonage, the residence of Charles Wagner and 
Mr. Cutting, also the residence of Professor Bo- 
gle on Hill street and many other fine homes of 
the city. 

Mr. Scott himself owns and occupies a beau- 
tiful home at No. 742 Fountain street and he has 
his office in the Henning Block. He was married 
in 1874 to Miss Flora Campbell, of Ontario, and 
they have become the parents of a daughter and 
three sons : Margaret, who is with her parents ; 
Albert, now living in Detroit : and Walter and 
Charles, who are associated with tlieir father in 
business. 

Mr. Scott is an exemplary member of the Odd 
Fellows society, belonging to Ann Arbor lodge. 
No. 9, in which he has held all of the chairs. In 
his religious faith he is a Presbyterian and in his 
jjolitical views a republican and his advocacy of 
any measure is a sure indication that he is in 
hearty sympath}' therewith. He never falters in 
his allegiance to any cause which receives the 
sanction of his conscience and his judgment and 
his high principles are manifest in his business 
career that is characterized by unfaltering honor 
and integrity as well as by ability and enterprise. 



JOSEPH F. FOLEY. 

Joseph F. Foley, deceased, was born in the 
town of Newbridge, County Wicklow, Ireland, 
in Ianuar\-. 1834, and was the ninth in order of 
birth in a family of ten children, of whom two 
others came to America, these being Richard, 
who settled in Detroit : and Felix, in Superior. 
Joseph spent the days of his boyhood and youth 
in his native land and prior to his emigration to 
.\merica learned the cutter's trade in his broth- 
er's tailoring establishment in Manchester, En- 
gland. It was in 1854 that he crossed the At- 
lantic and made his way direct to Detroit, 
where he joined his brother Richard who was en- 
gaged in the tailoring business at that place. He 
remained with his brother for six months and 
then came to Ann .\rlx)r, where he worked at 
his trade for about two vears. He next went to 



^Marshall, Michigan, where he engaged in the 
tailoring business on his own account for two 
vears, after which he returned to Ann Arbor for 
a year, and then spent the following year in Ypsi- 
lanti, conducting the same business for Mr. Fol- 
lett. In 1862 the Civil war broke out and he was 
awarded the contract of furnishing the uniforms 
for the Post Light Guards of Ypsilanti. Later Mr. 
Foley enlisted in Company K, Fifth Michigan 
Cavalry, and was in the service about nine months 
when he was discharged on account of rheumatism 
contracted in the service. He then returned to 
Ann Arbor, l;>ut a year later removed to Roches- 
ter, New York, where he was employed as cutter 
in a clothing house for about ten years. He then 
formed a partnership with a Mr. Clark and to- 
gether they engaged in the clothing business with 
success for some time or until Mr. Foley was 
taken ill, when he again removed to Ann Arbor, 
w here he died about a year later, passing away on 
the 13th of May, 1873, honored and respected by 
all who knew him. His political allegiance was 
given to the democrac}^ and he was a communi- 
cant of the Catholic church. 

On the 7th of May, 1855, Mr. Foley married 
Miss Bridget Clancy, who was born in Ann Ar- 
bor, January i. 1839. ^"^ still survives her hus- 
band, living in the residence which she erected 
about 1880 on land purchased forty-eight years 
ago. She became the mother of seven children : 
Edward Joseph, who died in infancy ; Mary A., 
the wife of Dr. J. H. Heron, of Salt Lake City, 
Utah: Joseph Edwanl, who also passed away in 
infancy; Elizabeth, living in Ann .\rbor; Fred- 
erick Richard, who died at the age of twenty- 
five years; Clara Josephine, the wife of Charles 
R. Moore, a lawyer residing in Chicago ; and 
Dr. John William Foley, who wedded Mary Rin- 
sey and lives in Leadville, Colorado. 

Michael Clancy, the father of Mrs. Bridget 
Foley, was born in Kilkenny. Ireland, on the 6th 
of March, 1800, and on coming to America in 
1812, resided in Boston, Massachusettts, and 
Providence, Rhode Island, for some time. For 
a time he was also engaged in seal fishing off the 
coast of Xova Scotia, but, not finding that em- 
ployment congenial, he returned to Boston and 
later went to Providence. There he wedded Mary 



154 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



A. P)Ucklt'} , whose birth occurred in County 
Cork, Ireland, and two of their children were 
born ill Providence : John, who is livint^- in 
Pilackwell, Missouri; and Jane, the widow of 
Richard Cullen. residing in Detroit, Michigan. 
Tlie other children of the family were James and 
Edward, both deceased; Mary Ann, who became 
Mrs. Richard Foley: Edwin, deceased; Bridget, 
who married Joseph F. Foley ; and Eliza, who 
became the wife of Edward Quinn, of Brighton, 
Colorado. 

Tn 1828 Air. Clancy removed to .'\nn Arbor 
and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres in this comity, carrying on general agricul- 
tural ]nirsuits for .several years, after which he 
turned his attention to merchandising, and was 
thus connected with the business life of Ann Ar- 
bnv for a long period, or up to the time of liis 
death. He was a democrat in his political views 
and in religious faith was a Catholic. His last 
years were spent in the home of his daughter, 
Mrs. Bridget Foley, and there he passed away 
on the 26th of March, 1885. His father lived to 
the age of one hundred and three years, while 
his mother was one hundred and five years of 
age at the time of her death. They retained 
their residence in Irelaml until called to their 
final rest. 



groceries, though he is now .serving as vice presi- 
dent of the First National Bank of Ypsilanti. 
His political support is given the men and meas- 
ures of the democratic party. 



CHARLES E. KING. 

Charles E. King, a well known business man 
of Ypsilanti, was born in that city in 1851, and 
is a son of Charles King and grandson of George 
R. King, who came to this country from England 
and located in Washtenaw county in 1837. Three 
years later the father and grandfather established 
the business now carried on by our subject at 
its present location. Qnarles E. King attended 
the public schools of Ypsilanti, and after com- 
pleting the high-school course entered the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, graduating 
from the literary department in 1873. He at once 
became connected with the business established 
by his father and grandfather in 1840 and has 
since devoted his time and attention chiefly to 
that t'lilerprise. as a <le;der in staple and fancy 



EDWARD ( ;. D( )ERSAM. 

Edward G. Doersani, deput) sheriff of Wa.sh- 
tenaw county and a resident of Ypsilanti, was 
born in Waterloo, Ontario. Canada, March 15, 
1863. His father was a native of Hesse-Dann- 
stadt, ( iermany. and cmiducted a hotel at Water- 
loo for forty-five years. He married Marguerite 
(^rittman, a native of Baden, Germany, and their 
children was as follows : George, a retired black- 
smith, living in Lena, Illinois ; Jacob, who is en- 
gaged in the tobacco business at Waterloo, On- 
tario ; John, who is agent for the Kuntz Brew- 
ing Coni]jany at Panctangne, Ontario ; Peter, who 
is proprietor of a hotel at .\yton, Ontario ; Mrs. 
Caroline Ruthig, of Millbank, Ontario; Alrs.^ 
Louisa Hoefler, of Rochester, New York ; Mrs. 
Emma Froechhch, of .Sand Creek. Michigan ; and 
Mrs. Katie Witmer, of Preston, Ontario. 

Ivlward ( 1. Doersam, of this family, pursued 
his education in Waterloo and was graduated 
from the high school in 1879. He then continued 
in the hotel business with his father until twenty- 
one years of age, and in 1883 he went to Brad- 
ford, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the 
bottling business for two years. In 1885 he re- 
turned to Waterloo and the same year made a 
three months' trip to Great Britain, visiting Lon- 
don, Liverpool and Glasgow. On again return- 
ing to his native city he established a bottling 
business, in which he continued until 1889, when 
he sold out to the Kuntz Brewing Company. In 
1890 he came to Michigan, settling in Milan, where 
he was in business with Charles Smith, and in 
1895 he came to Ypsilanti, where he obtained a 
position at the Hawkins 1 louse. Ide afterward 
bought the Senate, which he conducted for a year, 
selling out in 1897, when he began dealing in 
horses, in which business he is still engaged. 

Tn politics Mr. Doersam is a republican and 
was appointed deputy sheriff in January, 1905. 



PAST AND FRESExNT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



155 



He has been a delegate to several county conven- 
tions and is recognized as an active and earnest 
worker for the party. 

On the 25th of March. 1890. Air. Doersam was 
married to Miss Clara Stannard, a daughter of 
Edward and Mary Stannard, of Waterloo, On- 
tario. They have two children, Rosie and Charles. 
Mr. Doersam holds membership relations with 
the Odd I'ellows, the Maccabees and the Elks, 
and is also a member of the German Lutheran 
church. 



THEODORE E. WOOD. 

Theodore E. Wood, cashier of the State Bank 
uf Chelsea, is one of the oldest representatives of 
banking interests in the village, and his position 
in business circles has long been an enviable one, 
for he has the entire confidence and respect of 
the general public. A native of the state of New 
^'ork, he was born in Canandaigua, on the 19th 
of December, 1844, his parents being Garrett and 
Mary (Ashley) Wood. The father was a car- 
penter and contractor and came to Michigan in 
1845, settling in Hamburg, Livingston county, 
where he worked at his trade until 1850. when he 
removed to Dexter, and was there engaged in 
contracting and building. The mother died there 
and the father afterward took up his abode in 
Pinckncy. this state, where he passed away in 
1 87 1. In their family were seven children: Silas 
L. ; \\'illiam, who died in 1898; Andrew J- '. 
Chauncey G.. who died in 1866: Theodore: Sarah 
and Elizabeth. 

After mastering the elementarv branches of 
learning Theodore E. Wood continued his edu- 
cation in the high school of Dexter, Michigan, 
and in August. 1862, responded to the country's 
call for troops, he enlisted for three years' service 
in the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry. The regi- 
ment was assigned to the Army of the Potoinac 
and he was discharged at the close of the war. 
He participated in many battles and was wounded 
on the 1 2th of May, 1864. He made a most 
creditable military record and was often in the 
thickest of the fight, also took part in long 
marches and arduous campaigns. 



For eleven years after the close of the war 
Mr. Wood was engaged in teaching school, and 
in 1876 accepted the position of cashier in the 
private banking house of George P. Glazier. 
This in 1880 was changed to the Chel- 
sea Saving Bank, of which he became assistant 
cashier, serving until 1901, when he succeeded 
George Glazier in the cashiership. He is one of 
the oldest men in the banking business in Chelsea, 
and his reliability is above question, while his 
uniform courtesy and obliging manner have made 
him a popular bank official. 

In 1 891 Mr. Wood was united in marriage to 
Miss Lillie Pdake, of Chelsea, a daughter of Da- 
vid Blake, and their circle of friends is almost 
co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance. 
]\Ir. Wood is a valued representative of several 
fraternal organizations, belonging to Olive lodge. 
No. 156. -V. F. & A. M., and to other branches 
of .Masonry, ultimately becoming a member of 
the Mystic Shrine at Detroit. He also affiliates 
with the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and 
the Grand .Army of the Republic. A republican 
in his political views, he has served as trustee 
and treasurer of the village, and he has also held 
office in the Masonic lodge, filling the ])osition of 
secretary until iqoi, when he retired. He was the 
first past patron of the Eastern Star. In a busi- 
ness career marked by a close application .'uid 
mastery of every duty that has devolved upon 
him, h(_' has made a creditable record and won 
iustlv merited success. 



E. G. HO AG. 



It would seem almost trite to say to those ac- 
quainted with the history of Mr. Hoag that he 
has risen unaided from a comparatively humble 
position to rank among the leading and prosper- 
ous merchants of Ann Arbor, but in the history 
that will descend to future generations it is but 
just to say that his rise has been the legitimate 
outcome of his own labors and that he has fol- 
lowed methods that have commended him to the 
confidence and support of all. In his business 
career he has been notably prompt and reliable, 



156 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



never incurring oblig'ations that he lias not met 
nor making engagements that he has not filled, 
and he enjoys to the full extent the trust of his 
co-laborers in commercial circles here. He was 
born in Columbia, Jackson county, Michigan, 
June 2, 1862, his parents being Henry G. and 
Deborah G. (Hawley) Hoag. The father, a na- 
tive of Queens county, New York, removed from 
the Empire state to Michigan about 1852, settling 
in Jackson county, where he engaged in general 
farming. His wife was a native of that county, 
and there they reared their family of three chil- 
dren : James H., who is now a physician of 
Hope. Indiana; Nina Jennie, deceased: and E. G. 
of this revie\\-. 

Plaving ac(|uired his elementary education in 
the common schools. E. G. Hoag continued his 
studies until he had completed the high school 
course at Chelsea by graduation. He afterward 
prepared for a commercial career by a course 
in IJryant & Stratton Business College in De- 
troit, and throughout his active connection with 
business life he has been interested in mercantile 
operations. In Chelsea he established and con- 
ducted a large store, but seeking a still broader 
field of labor he came to Ann Arbor in 1902, 
where he established an immense general dry 
goods emporium and notion store. He carries a 
very large line of goods, each department being 
well equipped and his purchases are carefully 
made. The store is thoroughly modern in all of 
its appointments, and the safe, conservative policy 
inaugurated has brought to the establishment a 
gratifying measure of prosperity. 

In 1887 Mr. Hoag was united in marriage to 
Ermina Geddes, a native of Lodi, Michigan, and 
they now have three interesting children : Nina 
Bernice, seventeen }ears of age ; Margaret, four- 
teen years of age; and Kenneth, a little lad of 
three summers. Mr. Hoag is a member of the 
Congregational church, interested in its \-arious 
activities and is also a helpful worker in the 
Young Men's Christian Association. While con- 
trolling an important business enterprise in the 
city, he finds opportunity to devote to the interests 
which develop man's intellectual and moral na- 
ture, and his own sterling worth is recognized bv 
all with wliom he has been associated. He has 



co-operated in many progressive movements for 
the benefit of the city and his life has been indeed 
a busy and useful one, marked by consecutive 
advancement, by honorable motives and success- 
ful accomplishment. 



ROBERT W. HEMPHILL. 

Robert \\'. Hemphill, cashier of the Ypsilanti 
Savings Bank, and a promoter of business en- 
terprises that have contributed in a substantial 
measure to the growth and development of Ypsi- 
lanti, was born in Clinton, [Michigan, in 1839. His 
father, Nathaniel I-Iemi)hill. was a native of Sara- 
toga, New York, and died in that state. The 
mother came ti5 Michigan in 1839, settling in 
Clinton, Lenawee county, where the birth of 
Robert W. Hemphill occurred. He began his 
education in the common schools of this citv and 
passed through successive grades until he had at- 
tended the high school. Later he became a clerk 
in the postofiice. and in 1855 he became assistant 
postmaster, filling the office for two years, on the 
expiration of which period he went to Chicago, 
spending a )ear and a half there. He was with 
John Gilbert in the commission business and later 
returned to Ypsilanti. 

In 1859 he became connected with the bank 
business as a clerk for Follett. Conklin & Com- 
pany, with whom he remained until the firm was 
dissolved in i860, when the firm of T). Follett it 
Company, bankers, was organized, Mr. Hemphill 
becoming a partner at that time. From this be- 
ginning has evolved the First National Bank. The 
firm of B. Follett & Company was succeeded by 
Cornwell & Hemphill, which was afterward 
changed to Hemphill, Batchelder & Company, 
and so continued until 1881. The institution con- 
ducted by the above named firms was a private 
bank, and in 1888 the Ypsilanti Savings Bank, 
so organized by Mr. Hemphill. S. M. McCutch- 
eon, of Detroit, and the late Stephen Moore, also 
of Detroit, They were the successors of Hemp- 
hill, Batchelder & Company, and the present of- 
ficers of the bank are : Augustus Beyer, presi- 
dent ; H. P. Glover, vice president; R. W. Hemp- 




K. W. HKMl'1111,1. 



PAST AND I'RESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



159 



hill, cashier ; and P. W. Carpenter, assistant cash- 
ier. From the bcginniiiij- Mr. Hemphill has oc 
cupied his present pusitiun. His lonij connection 
with bankinii' interests has made him thoroughly 
informed concerning the business in principle and 
detail, and in the present institution he has in- 
augurated a safe conservative policy that has 
made this one of the strong financial concerns of 
the county. 

Mr. Hemphill in other ways has been closely 
identified with the business progress and sub- 
stantial growth of Ypsilanti, aiding in the es- 
tablishment and successful control of a number 
of industries, including the Ypsilan.ti Paper Com- 
pany, owning and operating an extensive paper 
mill, the Jackson pulp works and other enter- 
prises. He is the president of the first named. 
From among the members of that company the 
Washtenaw Light and Power Company was or- 
ganized, which furnishes electric light to both 
Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and of the latter com- 
pany Mr. Hemphill is also president. This com- 
pany has built the power house at Geddes on the 
banks of the Huron, situated midway between the 
two cities, and the plant is splendidly equipped 
with the latest improved machinery known to the 
electrical world for the purpose of lighting and 
furnishing power. The company maintains of- 
fices in both Ypsilanti and .Ann Arbor, and has 
had a prosperous existence since its organiza- 
tion in 1902. At one time he was also a director 
and vice-president of the Detroit, Ypsilanti & 
Ann Arbor Railroad, and was one of the prime 
movers in re-organizing and transferring the old 
dummy road to the Detroit, Ypsilanti & Ann 
Arbor road, saving the stockholders about one 
hundred thousand dollars. 

In his political views Mr. Hemphill is a stal- 
wart democrat, and for the past ten years has 
served as city treasurer and is still the incum- 
bent in the office, a record which is an incontro- 
vertible testimonial of his capability and his 
promptness and fidelity in the discharge of the 
duties of the office. He belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, in which he has held various of- 
fices of trust. 

In 1863 Mr. Hemphill was married in Ypsi- 
lanti to Miss Adeline Moore, a native of this citv. 



and a daughter of Charles and Adeline (Mc- 
Allister) Moore. They have two sons and a 
daughter, all born in Ypsilanti, namely : Robert 
W. : Charles AI., who is cashier of the First Na- 
tional Hank at Shoshone, Lincoln county, Idaho, 
and married Aliss Mary Curtis of this city ; and 
Josejjhine, the wife of W. D. Crocker, of Rupert, 
Idaho. 

Mr. Hemphill attends St. Luke's church. He 
is a self-made man, whose position of prominence 
is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He 
is always mentioned as one of the representative 
and honored residents of Ypsilanti. and is re- 
garded as a gentleman of great force of charac- 
ter, of strong principles, of splendid executive 
ability and business discernment. He stands as 
a high type of our American manhood, and is as- 
sociated with that enterprising class of men, 
whose efforts contribute to the general welfare in 
addition to individual success. He forms his 
plans after careful consideration of a business 
proposition and its possibilities, and is then de- 
termined in their execution : and as the years 
have gone by, the concentration of his efforts and 
energies upon the conduct of industrial and fi- 
nancial interests, have brought about success that 
is also attended with honor, because of the meth- 
ods that have been employed. 



CHARLES A. COLE. 



Charles A. Cole, proprietor of the Ann Arbor 
Electric Granite Works, was born in this city in 
1868. His father, Benjamin F. Cole, likewise a 
native of Ann Arbor, died in July, 1903, at the 
age of fifty-nine years. He was a graduate of 
the law department of the University of Michi- 
gan, but never practiced, giving his attention in- 
stead to agricultural pursuits. He settled on a 
farm a few miles from the city and thereon spent 
his remaining days. The mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Emma Shetterley, was bom in 
Ann Arbor, where she still makes her home. 
In the family of this worthy couple were seven 
children, of whom six are living, as follows: 
Charles A. ; Carrie M., the wife of Henry 



i6o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Schnierle, of this city ; George, who is living in 
Chicago ; Clara ; Nelson, of San Francisco, who 
joined the United States army and was for some 
time in Manila, while at the present time he is 
stationed in California; and Hazel, who completes 
the family. 

Charles A. Cole spent his boyhood days on his 
father's fann, and in early manhood engaged in 
railroading. Later he was employed at the De- 
troit Bridge & Iron Works, at Detroit, and sub- 
sequently he worked in the paper mills in Ann 
Arbor. In 1896 he entered the services of the 
Ann Arbor Electric Granite Works, owned at 
that time by John Baumgardner, and there learned 
the trade of stone cutting, serving a regular ap- 
prenticeship. In 1900, in connection with D. 
Hand, he purchased the business of his employer 
and they continued together for a year, when Mr. 
Cole purchased Mr. Hand's interest and has since 
been sole proprietor of the Ann Arbor Electric 
Granite Works. A liberal patronage is accorded 
the house because of the reliable business methods 
practiced and the excellence of the output which 
conforms with the highest standards of work in 
this line. 

In 1891 Mr. Cole was married to Miss Julia 
Knebel, a native of Ann Arbor, and they have one 
child, Ruth, born in this city. Mr. Cole is a mem- 
ber of the Modern Woodmen camp and of the 
Elks lodge, and his personal qualities have gained 
him warm friendships, while in business affairs 
he is known as an energetic, industrious man, his 
personal success being attributable entirely to his 
own efforts. 



WILLIAM J. CONLIN. 

William J. Conlin. whose advancement in busi- 
ness life resulting from adaptability, close appli- 
cation and a mastery of the Inisiness conditions 
of the present day, has made him a successful 
merchant of Ann Arbor, is now a member of 
the firm of Reule, Conlin & Fiegel, clothiers and 
furnishers. He was born in Webster township, 
this county, in 1873. His grandfather, Henry 
Conlin, was a native of Ireland and came to 



Michigan at a very early period in its settlement. 
He took up land from the government which is 
still owned by his descendants and he assisted 
materially in reclaiming this portion of the state 
for the uses of the white inan. He married 
Elizabeth Coyle, also a native of Ireland, whence 
she came with her parents to the United States. 
His death occurred at the age of seventy-five 
years and his wife passed away when eighty years 
of age. His father, John H. Conlin, who was 
also born in the same township, is now living re- 
tired in Toledo. Ohio. He wedded Mary E. 
Hanlon, a native of Rochester, New York, and 
she is also living. They became the parents of 
twelve children, all of whom were born on 
the old homestead in this county, and the family 
circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. 
In order of birth the children are as follows : 
Henry A., Mary E.. William J., Frank C, John 
B., Arthur R., Anna A., Elizabeth, Joseph, Gene- 
vieve, Alice and Lewis. The father followed 
farming on the old homestead in this county on 
which his father located in early pioneer times 
and was a successful agriculturist. He took an 
active part in community affairs as a champion 
of all measures for the general good, but never 
sought nor desired public office. 

William J, Conlin began his education in the 
district schools and continued his studies in the 
high school of Dexter. After putting aside his 
text-books at the age of nineteen years he came 
to Ann Arbor, where he entered the employ of 
the firm of Wadham, Ryan and Reule, dealers in 
clothing and men's furnishing goods, in whose 
service he remained until 1905, when on the ist 
of February he was admitted to a partnership, 
the firm being reorganized. The present style is 
Reule, Conlin & Fiegel and the house sustains 
a very enviable reputation because of the excel- 
lent business policy which is maintained and 
which commends them to the patronage of a 
large number of Ann Arbor's best citizens. Mr. 
Conlin has won his present enviable position in 
commercial circles through his close application 
to business, his fidelity to his employers' inter- 
ests and his entire trustworthiness, and now as a 
merchant he is justly esteemed, liaving gained 
the respect of all with whom he has been brought 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



i6r 



in contact. His political affiliation is with the 
democratic party. 

In 1901 Mr. Conlin was married in Detroit to 
Miss Catherine \'. Crotty, who was born in De- 
troit, and they have two children, Edward F. and 
John E., both natives of this city. 



BIRD ALLEN TRACY, M. D. 

Dr. Bird Allen Tracy, successfully engaged in 
the practice of medicine in Manchester, is a native 
of Schuyler county, New York, born on the 4th 
of January, 1866. His father, Gustavus A. 
Tracy, was born in the same county and he, too, 
was a physician by profession. Coming to Michi- 
gan in 1 89 1 he settled in Blissfield, where he en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine and surger\-. 
He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
church, served as one of its officers and took a 
most active part in its work. His fraternal rela- 
tions were with the Masons and his political alle- 
giance was given to the republican party. He 
married Miss Helen M. Johnson, who was born 
in Schuyler county. New York, and is still living 
there at the age of fifty-nine years. She, too, is 
a devoted member of the Methodist church. Dr. 
Tracy, Sr., passed away in April, 1892, at the 
age of fifty-one years. 

Bird Allen Tracy, their only child, was a pub- 
lic school student in New York and afterward 
attended Cook Academy at Havana. New York, 
from which he was graduated. Determining 
upon the practice of medicine as a life work he 
began reading in his father's office at Watkins 
Glenn, New York, and afterward spent three 
years at Burlington. Vermont, as a student in 
the medical department of the State L^niversity. 
while later he was graduated from the nn-dical 
department of the Baltimore Universitv in the 
class of 1890. He began the practice of his pro- 
fession in Blissfield. Michigan, with his father, 
and there remained for three years, after which 
he went to Ida, Monroe county, IMichigan, where 
he spent eight years. In 1901 he came to Man- 
chester, where he has made for himself a splendid 
reputation and gained a fine practice. His 



knowledge of medical i>rinciples is broad and 
comprehensive and he is seldom, if ever, at error 
in matters of judgment concerning the diagnosis 
of a case or the anticipation of the outcome. He 
belongs to the Washtenaw County Medical As- 
sociation. 

In 1888 Dr. Tracy was married to Miss Grace 
Cogswell, a daughter of M. H. and Mary Cogs- 
well, but her death occurred in 1896, when she 
was twent\--eight years of age. She left two 
children, Ruth and Guy. In 1898 Dr. Tracy was 
again married, his second union being with ]\Iiss 
Gussie Kistler, a daughter of George and Eliza- 
beth Kistler, the former a blacksmith by trade. 
j\Irs. Tracy was born in Farmington. Iowa, in 
1868, and by her marriage has become the mother 
of three children : Dorothy and IMildred, at 
home, and Allen, deceased. The Doctor and his 
wife hold membership in the Methodist Episco- 
pal church and he belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity, while his political support is given to the 
republican party. He manifests a public spirited 
interest in everything relating to the general wel- 
fare, but his time and energies are largely given 
in undivided manner to his professional duties. 
With a sense of conscientious obligation he per- 
forms his professional service and has gained the 
respect and trust of his professional brethren as 
well as of the general public. 



ALFRED T. PAUL. 



Alfred J. Paul, one of Ann Arbor's native 
sons, was born March 24, 1867. His father, 
Henry Paul, was a native of Scio township, 
Washtenaw county, and there his death occurred 
in December, 1891. He had for many years been 
actively engaged in business in Scio and later in 
Ann Arbor. He married Miss Katherine Cook, a 
native of Michigan, who is now living in this city, 
and unto this marriage were born a son and two 
daughters, the latter being Amelia, now the wife 
of Andrew Reule. of Ann Arbor, mentioned else- 
where in this volume; and Augusta, who died 
and was buried in the cemetery here. 

Alfred J. Paul, the eldest of the family, ac- 
quired his education in the public schools of this 



1 62 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



city and on putting aside his text-books went 
upon his father's farm, being actively engaged 
in general agricultural pursuits until 1900. He 
is now in business at No. 109 North Main street, 
conducting a fine and splendidly equipped bufifet 
opposite the courthouse. 

Mr. Paul \vas married in 1903 to ^liss En:ma 
Gwinner, a representative of one of the old fami- 
lies of Ann Artor, in which city her birth oc- 
curred. Mr. Paul is a Mason, also belongs to 
the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks, and he attends the 
Bethlehem Evangelical church. He represents 
a pioneer family of the county and he has a wide 
acquaintance here, where he has maintained his 
residence from his boyhood to the present. His 
friends einbrace many who have known him from 
his vouth as well as the acquaintances of his 
later vears. 



MRS. MARY COLLINS WHITING. 

Almost every avenue of business activity is 
open to woman, and long since she has demon- 
started her right to rank with the men of ability, 
possessing the intellectual force and discrimina- 
tion that makes for success, especially in the 
"learned professions." Mrs. Whiting has a re- 
markable record in that she became a lawyer after 
attaining the age of fift^^-two years, and since that 
time has been in active practice ; also conducting 
a real-estate, brokerage and insurance business. 
She is moreover entitled to distinction because of 
a wide philanthrophy that, based upon broad hu- 
manitarian principles, has reached out for the 
betterment of mankind in many ways. Mrs. 
Whiting was born in York township, Washte- 
naw county, on the 4th of March, 1835, a daugh- 
ter of George and Phebe (Bicknell) Collins, the 
former a native of Wilbraham. Massachusetts, 
and the latter of Enfield. Connecticut. In the pa- 
ternal line the ancestry can be traced back to 
Deacon Edward Collins, whose name appears 
upon the records of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
1654. He was a representative in the general 
court for sixteen years, from 1654 until 1670, 
save for the vear 1661. Cotton Mather savs of 



him : "There was a good old man called Collins, 
the deacon of the church at Cambridge, who is 
now gone to heaven ; but before he went thither 
had the satisfaction to see several most worthy 
sons become very famous in their generation." 
It is not known from what part of Great Britain 
he came. The church records of Cambridge also 
give the following account of the children of 
Deacon Edward Collins: Daniel Collins lived in 
Koenigsbcrg, Prussia, and was graduated at 
Harvard College in 1649. He went to Scotland, 
was minister to Edinburgh in 1658 and afterward 
in London. There he died, December 3, 1687. 
Cotton Mather says, "He was a preacher of great 
ability and power." Samuel Collins lived in Scot- 
land in 1658 and had a son Edward M. Rev. Na- 
thaniel Collins, born in Cambridge in 1642, was 
the representative in the second generation in the 
line of descent to Mrs. Whiting. Others of the 
family were : Abigail ; Sybil, the wife of Rev. 
John Whiting, son of William Whiting, of Hart- 
ford ; and Edward. 

Rev. Nathaniel Collins, son of Deacon Edward 
Colins, was born at Cambridge in 1642, and was 
married at Middletown, Connecticut, August 3, 
1664, to Mary, daughter of William Whiting, of 
Hartford. He was graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege in 1660, and was ordained to the ministry at 
Middletown, Connecticut, November 6, 1668. He 
acted as pastor of the church there and died in 
Middletown, December 28, 1684. His wife died 
October 4, 1709. Cotton Mather in his quaint 
style said, "At whose death, there was more 
wounds given to the whole colony of Connecticut 
in our New England, than the body of Caesar 
did receive when he fell wounded in the senate 
house. I would have made an essay to have la- 
mented the fate of this, our Collins in verse, were 
it not for two reasons, (Distrusts his mean fac- 
ulties, etc) Nevertheless his merits were such 
that his life must be written, or at least so much 
of it as this, that he merited highly to have his 
life written. But our history of him is to be 
abridged into the brief account ; that the church 
of Middletown, upon the Connecticut river, was 
the golden candlestick from whence this excel- 
lent person illuminated more than the whole col- 
ony ; and that the qualities of exemplar piety, ex- 



1^ *. vf 




%^-,^ Sm.^ Ji^idzi. 



'V 



> 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



165 



iraordinary in.i:,a-nuity, obliging;- affability, ji^iiicil 
with the accompli.shiiicnts of an extraordinary 
preacher, did render iiini truly excellent. He left 
an estate of L679-i-(^" 

The children of Rev. Nathaniel and Mar\ 
(Whiting) Collins were as follows: Mary, lx)rii 
]\Ia\ I I. 1666, was married to John Hamilton in 
January, 1684. John, born January 31, lObj. 
married Alary, daughter of Colonel Dixwell, 
(alias James Davids), one of the judges of 
Charles First of England, renowned as the regi- 
cides, December 24, 1707. Susanna, born No- 
vember 26, 1669, was married to William Hamlin, 
.May j6, 1692, and died Februar\- 24, 1722. Sybil 
was born August 20, 1672. Martha, born Decem- 
ber 26, 1673, was married to William Harris. Jan- 
uary 8, 1690. Rev. Nathaniel Collins was born 
June 13, 1677. Abigail, born July 13, 1682, was 
married July 9, 1702. to Sergeant William Ward. 
Samuel, who was born April 16, 1683, died April 
23, 1683. 

Rev. Nathaniel Collins, son of Rev. Nathaniel 
Collins, Sr., was born at Middletown, Connecti- 
cut. June 13, 1677, «i'''d settled at Enfield, Con- 
necticut. He was married there January 7, 1700, 
to Alice, daughter of Rev. William- Adams, of 
Dedham. Massachusetts. He was ordained at 
Enfield in i6(j9, and served a church there for 
twenty-five years, when he was succeeded by Rev. 
Peter Reynolds. It is reported that he possessed 
the same power as a preacher that characterized 
the ])receding generations. .\n obituary notice 
of him in the Boston News Letter in 1735, one of 
the earliest newspapers of the country, speaks of 
him at some length in terms of high commenda- 
tion. He died December 31, 1756, and his wife 
died February 19, 1735, at the age of fifty-three 
years. Their tombstones may be seen at Enfield. 
Their children were as follows : Mary, who died 
February 14, 1702: Ann, who was born Decem- 
ber 2, 1702, married Ephraim Berr\-, September 
13' 1703. and died September 10, 1775: .\lice, 
born February 9, 1707; Nathaniel, born August 
17, 1707, married Abigail Pease in 1735, went 
with the army to Cape Breton and afterward be- 
came a preacher; William, born in June, 171 1, 
married Ann Jones ; Edward, born November 26, 
1713, married Tabitha Greer in June, 1735; Alice 
was born March 14, 1716. 
9 



( ieorge Collins, born in Wilbraham, Massachu- 
setts, became a woolen manufacturer and died in 
the year 1847. ^'s wife long survived him, pass- 
ing away in 1874. They had three sons : Judge 
John Collins, of Howard City, Michigan, who 
died in January, 1905 : George C. Collins, a 
farmer of Montcalm county, Michigan, who died 
about the same time ; and William J. Collins, who 
still survives. The sisters of Mrs. Whiting are, 
Mrs. Phebe Hurd, who died in Crystal, Montcalm 
county, nearly twenty years ago ; Mrs, Harriet 
Allen, who died in Augusta, Washtenaw county, 
in 1852; and .Mrs. Julia C. Stark. Mrs. Abi M. 
Fisk and Mrs. Sophronia Wilber. who are resi- 
dents of Ypsilanti. 

Mrs. Whiting acquired her early education in 
the district schools of York townshi]) and the 
Normal School of Ypsilanti, after which she 
taught school until nineteen years of age, when 
she gave her hand in marriage to Ralph C. 
Whiting, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, 
who came to Washtenaw county with his par- 
ents when twelve years of age, the family 
home being established in Pittsfield. Mr. Whit- 
ing was three years his wife's senior. His father. 
Charles Whiting, was a wholesale leather and 
shoe dealer at Hartford, and came to Michigan 
for his health. He purchased a farm of one hun- 
dred acres east of Ann .Vrbor. which Afrs. Whit- 
ing, of this review, still owns, and he made his 
home thereon imtil his death, which occurred in 
1847. At tl''^ '^"'"^ of their marriage Mr. and 
Airs. Whiting received congratulations from Dr. 
Tappan, chancellor of the Michigan Cniversity, 
who gave a large party in her honor, the families 
being warm friends, visiting each other frequently 
until the removal of Dr. Tappan and his son-in- 
law. Dr. liruno, the great astronomer, to Europe. 

Subsequent to her marriage Mrs. Whiting 
engaged in teaching a private school, having 
charge of English branches and vocal and in- 
strumental music. She was fifty years of age 
when she entered the law department of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, taking this step because her 
time w-as imoccupied and she wished something to 
take up her attention. She gave fifteen hours 
daily to study and was graduated in 1887 at the 
age of fifty-two years. At once she entered upon 
the practice of law and has pled many cases in 



1 66 



PAST x\ND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the courts in tlie state, including' the Michigan 
supreme court. She has also settled a vast num- 
ber of legal difficulties connected with real-es- 
tate transfers, and has prepared many legal pa- 
pers and conveyances. She has thoroughly in- 
formed herself concerning the value of properties 
in this section of Michigan, and has a large real- 
estate clientage. She has likewise been execu- 
trix of several estates involving large interests, 
and has never had a will broken. For several 
years she has served as notary public and is 
.widely recognized as one of the most capable law- 
yers at the bar of this state, bringing to the work 
great native intellectual force, keen discernment 
ment and an analytical mind. Her reasoning is 
clear and cogent, her deductions following in logi- 
cal sequence, and her understanding of the prin- 
ciples of juris])ru(lence is profound. Mrs. Whit- 
ing has ever ben a student and reader, with broad 
knowledge of the history of the world and its 
literature. Her leisure hours have largely 
been given to research along lines adding to her 
knowledge of social and economic conditions, lit- 
erature and history, and of the world's philan- 
thropic movements, and thus she has advanced on 
life's journey, continually enriching her mind 
with an understanding of the great movements 
of the world and the thoughts of its best writers. 
She celebrated her golden wedding anniversary 
bv taking a trip with her husband to the Louisi- 
ana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis. Missouri. 
She was just recovering from a broken hip, oc- 
casioned by a fall from a carriage, and was still 
on crutches, but she made the journey, spending 
manv pleasant hours on the fair grounds. She 
has in her In )nie a large number of interesting 
relics, many of which have descended from previ- 
ous generations, including a quaintly embellished 
powder horn bearing the date 1764, and also the 
first revolver manufactured by Colt. She also 
has a work basket that once belonged to Martha 
Washington. It is a wicker work in the form of 
a swan and came to her through Lord and I^ady 
Hare's family, to whom Lady Washington had 
presented it. 

Perhaps the crowning achievement of her life 
was the establishment of the Mary Collins Whiting 
Free Dispensary in Fusan, Korea, which she terms 



'"A work of love." This splendid institution over- 
looks a beautiful bay opposite the Japanese coast 
and was founded by Mrs. Whiting in 1893. Dis- 
pensary work is not only carried on there, but the 
institution is also a Presbyterian mission, presided 
over by Rev. Charles Irvin, who was in the fire 
zone during the Russian-Japanese war. but was 
protected by the American flag. Mrs. Whiting 
received some most interesting letters from Rev. 
Irvin during the period of hostilities telling of 
conditions existing at the time. Koreans call the 
mission and dispensary, "house nf mercy."' and 
mercy," and say, "This is certainly heaven." L'p 
to September, 1899, eighty-five hundred cases had 
been treated an<l nine thousand dollars had been 
collected. The institution has become almost self- 
supporting, but remains a free dispensary for all 
unable to pay. 

Among the Koreans the benefactress of this 
institution is styled "The Princess Whitinski," 
which name came about in the following manner: 
Mrs. Whiting has a picture of herself taken in 
a full length seal skin coat and chinchilla fur cap 
and sent to the conservatory by request. The 
Koreans from their familiaritv with Russian 
names and titles, and believing that all white 
women were [irincesses with names ending in 
ski, at once called her the Princess \\'hitinski, a 
title of which she might well be proud, for it also 
indicates the love and veneration which the na- 
tive population feel for the founder of the dis- 
pensar\-. Manv acts of kindness and deeds of 
charitv have been performed by her. of which the 
world has not known, for her benevolence has 
ever been unostentatious, prompted only by a 
sincere and earnest desire to help the human race 
and ameliorate the conditions which work hard- 
ships to her fellowmen. While she has made a 
notable name in educational and legal circles, it is 
perhaps her broad sympathy and generous spirit 
of benevolence that will make her name known 
and honored long after she shall have completed 
the journey of life. When Dr. Irvin visited Ann 
.\rbor he said. 'T am not here so much to preach 
to vou as I am to grasp the hand of Mary Collins 
\\niiting, whose name will go down to posterity 
so long as Korea has a name." 

On the loth of January, 1906, Ralph C. Whit- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



167 



ing passed to his final reward after an illness of 
several weeks. He was attended to the last by 
his faithful wife, who was the only one present 
when he drew his last breath. His death was 
deeply regretted by his host of friends and ac- 
quaintances in Ann Arbor and throughout Wash- 
tenaw countv. Mr. Whiting was a man of quiet 
and retiring disposition but positive ni his con- 
victions, and strong in his devotion to what he 
considered his duty. His loyalty to his friends 
was one of his most beautiful traits. His friend- 
ship was not of that vociferous or flamboyant 
kind, which too frequently exhausts itself with its 
own ardor, but was rather iif an luioi^tentatious 
and sedate nature : it might not always blaze in 
a spirit of exurberance. but burned rather as a 
strong and enduring flame. \\'henever anyone — 
friend, neighbor or stranger — was in need of ad- 
vice or more substantial aid. he could be sure of 
obtaining sympathy and assistance from Ralpli 
C. Whiting. His devotion to his brilliant and tal- 
ented wife through their long and hajipy wedded 
life was in itself the expression of a character in 
which were embodied the higher and nobler at- 
tributes of human nature. 



PAUL SN.AUBLE. 



Paul Snatible. the general manager of the 
Michigan Furniture Company, figures promi- 
nently in industrial circles in Ann Arbor, and his 
life record should serve as incentive to others who 
at the outset of their business careers and not 
favored with pecuniary assistance or the aid of 
influential friends, for his life record proves what 
can be accomplished through determined and pes- 
sistent effort in the field of business activity. Mr. 
Snauble was born in Germany in 1845, and was 
a lad of seven summers when brought to Amer- 
ica by his parents, Joseph Snauble and wife. 
They, too, were natives of the fatherland, in 
which country they were reared and married, 
and after three children had been added to the 
hou.sehold, the father crossed the Atlantic, bring- 
ing with him his two sons, Paul and Joseph, and 



his daughter, .-Vnna. The mother had died in Ger- 
man^• and before his emigration to the new world 
the father had married again. There were six 
children by the second marriage, all born in this 
country. Father Snauble took up his abode in 
Prescott, Canada. He was a shoemaker by trade, 
but during the first six months of his residence 
in the new world he worked on the railroad. He 
then began shoemaking and moved across the 
river from Canada to Ogdensburg. New York, 
where he resided for a brief period. He then 
made his way westward to Detroit, where he fol- 
lowed his trade for a year, after which he set- 
tled upon a farm near Monroe, Michigan, oper- 
ating a tract of rented land there for two years. 
On the expiration of that period he settled in 
Saline village, Washtenaw count}-, and followed 
his trade. His skill in making fine hand-turned 
boots was soon manifest and he was popular both 
with his employer and the customers. He after- 
ward moved to Clinton, where he engaged in 
shoemaking for himself, and while there, aided 
In- his son Paul, he purchased ten acres of land, 
which he afterward traded for one hundred and 
thirty acres in Saline township, where he car- 
ried on general agricultural pursuits up to the 
time of his death, which occurred when he was 
si.xty-three years of age. His second wife had 
died prior to that tinie. 

Paul Snauble was a district school student in 
the winter sea.sons through the period of his 
vouth, and in the summer months he worked 
for dil¥erent farmers, thus early becon-iing famil- 
iar with the practical labors of clearing and cul- 
tivating the fields and caring for the stock. As 
the result of these labors Mr. Snauble began the 
accumulation of his first "nest egg." Thinking 
that he would find other occupation more congen- 
ial, however, he left the farm on attaining his 
majority and secured a clerkship in a general 
store at Saline, wdiere he ren-iained until he came 
to Ann Arbor in 1877, having secured a position 
with John Keck, as bookkeeper in his furniture 
store. i\Ir. Keck also owned and operated a fur- 
niture factory in Ann Arbor and Mr. Snauble 
soon became closely identified with the affairs 
of the factory as well as those of the store. In 
1879 ^I''- Keck interested others with him and 



U.8 



I'AST .\X\) I'KliSlCXl" UF VVASliTJ':.\AVV COUNTY. 



a stock company was formed midrr the name of 
t lie Keck I'lirniture ("ompaii\ . Mr, Snanlik' had 
ht'CniiK' C(>ii\ini.Td tlial the l)usiness was a j^'chiiI 
(iiie and ])urchased stock in llie new cdmiuiny and 
was ekcled superintendent. L n(k r liis mana,s^e- 
mciit the hiisiness pros])ere(k paying (hvidends to 
the stockhoklers and increasini;- its sales. .Mr. 
Keck soon retired fnmi aeti\e cdiinection with 
the coni|)an\ , hut il was run nncU'r the nM name 
imtil 18S4, when it was reorganized and con- 
tinned under the name nf .Miclii.n'm l'"nrnitnre 
Conipanx, and the uftieers at tlie |)reseut wriliuL; 
in 1905, are VV. 1). I larrinian, presiiUiit ; Ah^ses 
Seabolt. vice-presi(kMit ; (.'harks 1). Iliscock, 
secretary and treasurer; and I'aul ."^nauhk". sjen- 
eral mana,srcr. These officers in eonneelion with 
FreckTick Schmid, Martin' Halier and William 
K. Cliilds constitute the hoard of directors. rhe\ 
manufacture all kinds of chamber sets and con- 
duct an extensive l)usiness. The Michi,c;an I'ur- 
niture Coni])any Iniill the plant as it is now seen, 
there heing a four-story hrick hnildiu!.;", twn litm- 
dred and seven by forty feet, and the extent and 
volume of the business is indicated in a measure 
bv the fact that em])ki\inent is ikiw furnished 
to eig"ht\' men. The output linds a ready sale 
upon the market and the reputation sustained 
by tlie hiiusi' is an enviable one. Ah". Suauble 
now has active charge of the business, which, 
under his direction, is being conducted in a man- 
ner most satisfactcn-y to the stockholders, a gcwd 
financial return being realized upon their invest- 
ment, lie is likewise a director of the German- 
.\merican Savings I'.ank. which was organized 
and opened its doors for business in the fall of 
1905. 

In 1867 occurred the marriage of I'anl Suau- 
ble and Miss Mary C. Lindsley, a native of Sa- 
line township and a daughter of Elihu and Me- 
lissa Lindsley. Her mother bore the maiden 
name of Rideout, and her first marriage was to 
a Mr. Bliss. Mr. and Mrs. Snauble have one son. 
Verner L., who was born in Saline in 187J, and 
was married in New York in 1893 to Miss Susie 
L. Baldwin, a native of that state. The son is 
associated with his father in the business, being 
the assistant manager. 

Mr. Snauble is practically independent in poli- 



tics, yet entertains strong views uixin the ques- 
tion of prohibition and has long been an earnest 
lrm]ieranci' man. lie is interested in everything 
that tends In promote the moral development of 
his race and as a citizen his worth is acknowl- 
edged lor his co-o])eration in business affairs here 
has contributed to the gent'ral prosperitx' as well 
as to his individual success. 



JOll.V C. CIIAI.MF.RS. 

John r. (Iialmers, who is engaged in general 
larming on section _'. I'ittsfield township, was 
born |aimar\ c). 1S43. in the cit\- of New York. 
Mis father. Dr. T. L'. t'halmers. was a native of 
West dalway, New York, born June 18, 1810, 
and attended Union Colle,ge at Schenectady. New 
N'ork, while later he became a student in the Col- 
lege of IMiN'sicians and .Surgeons of New York 
city. Me ])racticed in New York Hospital and 
dexdted his attention to his profession until life's 
labois were endeil in death in |ime, 1884. 

John C'. Chalmers attended the Mew York 
.\cademy, and in 1S62 entered New York Uni- 
versity, from which he was .graduated in 1864, 
with the degree of liachelor of Arts. His studies 
however, were interrupted for a time by his serv- 
ice in the Twenty-second Xew York National 
Ciuard during the Civil war. l'"or some \ears he 
engaged in teaching school in the iMujiire state. 
While in college he was a member of the Zeta 
I'si fraternity. 

In 1867 Mr. Chalmers was united in marriage 
to .Miss .\gnes Gilchrist, a daughter of Alexander 
(iilchrist. She died February 10, 1875, and he 
subse(|Uently wedded ( lertrude Clizbc, a daughter 
of Marcus Clizbc, of .\msterdam. New York. 
As the years have j^assed they have become the 
parents of seven children : .Anna, who is now the 
wife of William Alexander, and is principal of 
the first ward school of Ypsilanti ; Mary, the 
wife of Clay W. .Mexander, and the mother of 
four children: Julia Gilchrist, who married Ed- 
ward Hutzel and has two children; Gilchrist, op- 
erating his father's farm ; Marcus, an engineer on 




J. C. CHAI..\il-;KS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



171 



the Alichigan Central Railroad; George, who 
was graduated from the dental department of the 
State University at Ann Arbor in 1902. and is 
now assisting his brother in operating his father's 
farm ; and Virginia, at home. 

Mr. Chalmers continued a resident of the east 
until 1890, when he came to Michigan in order 
to be near the university so that he might edu- 
cate his children here. He bought one hundred 
acres of land about three miles southeast of Ann 
.\rbor and the place is well improved. He makes 
a specialty of the raising of Guernsey cattle and 
his opinions concerning this breed are considered 
authority in his locality. Today he has a herd of 
verv valuable aniinals and has sold his cattle for 
as high as two hundred and fifty dollars per head. 
He keeps only registered stock and is classed with 
the leading cattle raisers of this part of the state. 
1 le is a member of the .American Guernsey Cattle 
Club and the Western Guernsey Breeders' Associ- 
ation of \\'isconsin, being vice-president of the 
latter organization and he is interested in all 
that tends to improve stock and advance the 
stock-raising interests of Michigan. 

In his political views Mr. Chalmers is a stal- 
wart republican, and while living in his native 
state filled a number of local offices, while in 
Alichigan he has served as justice of the peace. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of 
the IMaccabees, and Zeta Psi fraternity, and is a 
member of the Presbyterian church. .An enter- 
])risiiig business man. he capably conducts his 
farming interests and is meeting with a gratifying 
measure of prosperity 



ALOXZO D. PARKER. 

-Alonza D. Parker, whose connection with the 
jirinting business in Ann .Arbor gives him rank 
with the foremost representatives of business life 
in the city, was born in Susquehanna county. 
Pennsylvania, December 27, 1869, his parents 
being Willard R. and Lydia M. (Brown) Par- 
ker, both of whom were natives of the Empire 
state. The year 1880 witnessed the arrival of 
Willard R. Parker in Michigan. He settled in 
Kalkaska county with his familv and there en- 



gaged in general agricultural pursuits for a num- 
ber of vears, but is now living retired in the well 
earned enjoyment of a life of ease, rnaking his 
home in .Ann .Arbor with his son Alonzo D. His 
wife passed away in 1904. They were the par- 
ents of five children: James T.. a miller of Cow- 
derport, Pennsylvania ; Nelson E., who is a ma- 
son and contractor of Kalkaska county, Michi- 
gan : Frank P., who is engaged in the jewelry 
business in Litchfield, Alichigan; .Alonzo D., of 
this review; and Levi D., also a contractor of 
Kalkaska. 

Alonzo D. Parker began his education in the 
public schools of Harford, Pennsylvania, where 
he continued his studies for five years prior to 
the removal of the family to northern Alichigan. 
He then resumed his studies in Kalkaska and 
his more specifically literary education was ob- 
tained in the Tri-.State Normal School at .Angola, 
Indiana, from which he was graduated with the 
class of 1891. Throughout his active business 
career he has been connected with printing and 
publishing and undoubtedly one of the strong 
factors in his success is the persistency with 
which he has continued in the line of activity in 
which as a young tradesman he embarked. He 
entered the publishing and printing business in 
Kalkaska as a jiublisher of the newspaper Kal- 
kaskian. Later he .sold his interest to his partner 
and in 1897 came to Ann Arbor, connecting him- 
self with the Register, now the Courier-Register. 
In 1 90 1 he embarked in ])rinting and publishing 
l)usiness under the name of The Cainpus Press, 
i\hich was later changed to Parker & Snyder. 
On the 1st of September, 1905, Mr. Snyder sold 
his interest to Otto H. Haus and Horace G. 
Prettyman and the firm name was again changed 
to The .Aim .Arbor Press. The business has now 
reached extensive proportions and employment 
is furnished to many people. It has been devel- 
oped along modern business lines and through the 
watchful care of all indications pointing to suc- 
cess. Mr. I'arkcr has so utilized and im])roved his 
iil)])ortunities that he stands to-day at the head of 
a large and profitable concern. 

In 1902 Mr. Parker was married to Miss Ijd'is 
O. liond, of Saline, Michigan. Mr. Parker fra- 
ternallv is connected with the Masons and the 



172 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Maccabees, whilL' his political allegiance is given 
to the republican party. He is a man of action 
rather than theory and with a clear brain and will- 
ino- hands lie ap|ilics himself seriously to the rule 
of labor and responsibilities of life. He has 
feared not that laborious attention to the duties of 
business so necessary to achieve success and this 
essential quality has ever been guided by a sense 
of moral right which has tolerated the employ- 
ment only of those means that will bear the most 
rigid examination and by a fairness of intention 
that neither seeks nor requires disguise. 



^lAICU WlLl.lA.M C. Sri'.\-ENS. 



.Major William L'. Stevens, a resident of Ann 
Arbor and connected with many industrial and 
financial enterprises, which owe their success in 
appreciable measure to his wise counsel and co- 
operation, was born in Plymouth, Wayne county, 
Michigan. November 14, 1837. His father, Wil- 
liam Nelson Stevens, was a native of Elizabeth, 
New Jersey, and at the age of fifteen years went 
to New York city, where he learned the trade of 
carpenter and joiner. In 1833, before his tweiity- 
tieth birthday, he came to Plymouth, Michigan, 
working for a few years at his trade. Early m 
1834 he returned to New York, and Alarch 4. 
1834. was married to Jane Y. Forbes, returniuo 
to Plymouth with his bride soon after his mar- 
riage. 

While Michigan was still a territory he took 
up the work of collecting and conveyancing. \Mien 
Michigan became a state he was elected a justice 
of the peace, and was re-elected several times, 
continuing in the office until he removed to Whit- 
more Lake in 1847. where, for many years, he 
kept a general store. He was commissioned by 
Governor Mason first lieutenant in the Plymouth 
Ran.^ers at the time of the "Toledo war." He 
was "a member of the legislature in 186 1-2. and 
clerk of Washtenaw county in 1873-4. I^e died 
in .\nn .\rbor. November 26. T904. lacking but 
a few months of being ninety-two years old. He 
retained his mental faculties unimpaired to the 



last, and enjoyed good health until a few weeks 
before his death. 

Major Stevens, the only surviving memlier of 
the famih', was in his tenth year when he re- 
moved with his parents to Whitmore Lake. 
Washtenaw county, where he attended district 
school, and later assisted in his father's store, be- 
coming a partner at the age of twenty-one. He 
was active in its management, and from the time 
he was seventeen years old until the breaking out 
of the Civil war he went to New York once each 
vear to purchase goods. During these years he 
spent much of his spare time in study. 

In 1861 he responded to his country's call for 
trooiis. enlisting as sergeant in Company G. Third 
:\Iichigan Cavalry. He was commissioned lieu- 
tenant in November of the same year. He left 
Michigan with his regiment. November 28. 1861, 
o-oing to Missouri, and was with his regiment at 
I'.enton Parracks and at or near New Madrid, 
Alissouri, until the capture of Island No. 10. his 
first engagement being at New Madrid. From 
there he went with his regiment to northern Mis- 
sissippi and remained with it until the evacuation 
of Corinth. On ^lay 28. i8fi2, he was discharged 
on surgeon's certificate of disability and returned 
to ^Michigan-. In October, 1862, having partly re- 
o-ained his health, he commenced recruiting for 
The Ninth Michigan Cavalry, and in January, 
i8()3, he was mustered in as captain of Company 
C of that regiment. He was promoted to major 
in Mav. 1864. The regiment went to Kentuck\- 
in the spring of 1863 and did service in that state, 
mostly against guerrillas, and in the pursuit of 
Mor^'an during his raid through Kentuckw In- 
diana and ( )hio. After his capture the regiment 
joined General Burnside's army and went to East 
Tennessee, remaining there on continuous duty 
before and during the siege of Knoxville and 
until .vlarch, 1864. when it returned to Ken- 
tuckv to be remounleil. 

Major Stevens commanded the detachment of 
the Ninth T^lichigan Cavalry, which, with a detail 
of men from a Tennessee regiment, familiar with 
the countrx-, about midnight, September 7, 1863, 
dr.ive in the rebel outposts and burned the mill 
at the south entrance to Cumberland Gap. The 
mill was strongly guarded, and was indispensable 




^^^,2^r 



zn>;^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



177 



to the enemy. The next day the rebel force of 
two thousand five hundred men, intrenched 
within the Gap, surrendered to the Union forces. 

.\fter being remounted the regiment joined 
Cleneral Sherman's army, taking part in the siege 
of .\tlanta and accompanying him on his march 
to Savannah and through the Carohnas, the sul)- 
ject of this sketch being in every engagement in 
which his regiment took part, and skirmishes with 
Wheeler's Cavalry were of almost daily occur- 
rence. In May, 1865, after the surrender (jf 
Johnston. Major Stevens was selected by special 
order of General Cox, commanding the Twenty- 
third .\rmy Corps, to go. w^ith a detachment of 
picked men from his regiment, to the mountain- 
ous district of western Xorth Carolina to do spe- 
cial and important work in the way of hunting 
out guerrillas, protecting Union men returning to 
their homes after three or four years' exile, and 
to pacifv the countr}-, and at his discretion, to re- 
sort to execution bv drumhead court martial. He 
did the work assigned him to the satisfaction of 
his superior officers, remaining there until or- 
dered to join his regiment to be mustered out. 
He was honorably discharged July 21. 1865. 

After the war he entered the law department of 
the L'niversity of ?ilichigan, graduating with the 
class of 1868. He then went to East Tawas, 
Iosco county, practicing law there for fotirteen 
years. A large portion of the time while a resi- 
dent of Iosco county he was either prosecuting at- 
torney or county treasurer of that county. 

In 1882 he was elected auditor general of the 
state of Michigan for a term of two years, and 
was re-elected in 1884 for a similar term. 

He removed to .\nn Arljor in 1883, having that 
year built the residence in which he now resides. 
He is a man of keen business discernment, souiul 
judgment and unfaltering enterprise, and rer.dilv 
masters intricate business situations. He has the 
jjcrsistency of pur])ose that enables him to carrv 
forward to successful completion whatever he u!i- 
dertakes and gradual!}- he has worked his way up- 
ward until he is numbered among the capitalists 
of .\nn Arbor. He is now the vice-president of 
the Michigan Milling Company of .Ann .\rbor. 
with which he has been connected since its organ- 
ization, and he is also vice president of the I-'arm- 



ers and Mechanics liank of this city, in which 
he has been a director since its organization. 

Politically Mr. Stevens is a republican and in 
former years was recognized as one of the prom- 
inent members of the party, which honored him 
with important official preferment. He is a mem- 
ber of G. K. Warner post, Xo. 63, G. A. R., of 
East Tawas, and is also a member of the Military 
Order of the Loyal Legion, and he attends the 
Methodist church. 

In .\pril, i8Cnj. 'Sir. Stevens was married at 
(jreen Oak, Michigan, to Miss Laura C. Warden, 
a native of that place and a daughter of Robert 
Warden, who was born in Scotland and came to 
Michigan in the early development of this state. 
Mrs, Stevens' mother w'as a sister of Governor 
Bingham. ^Ir. and ^Irs. Stevens became the 
parents of eight children, of whom five are living: 
Mrs. .Adda Laura Crow, the wife of Dr. Samuel 
C. Crow, by whom she has one daughter, Eliza- 
beth : i\Irs. Bess Bingham Bartlett. wdfe of Ed- 
win S. Bartlett and the mother of one child, Laura ; 
Colin M., wdio married Blanche Clements and has 
three children, Clara Alae, William C. and Colin 
J.: and Xelson F. and Russell A., wdio are at 
home. .Surrounded by the comforts of life. Major 
and Mrs. Stevens are now occupying a beautiful 
home in .\nn Arbor, the hospitality of which is 
greatly enjoyed by their many friends. 



SAMCEL \\'. P.L'RCHFIELD. 

Samuel ^^'. Ikirchfield, engaged in business in 
.\nii .Vrlxir as a merchant tailor, and serving- as 
coroner of Washtenaw county, was born in Pier- 
pont Canon, Colorado, Xovember 16. 1870. His 
father, William G. Burchfield, leaving his native 
city of Meadville, Pennsylvania, went to Colo- 
rado in 1850, attracted by the rich n-iineral re- 
sources of that state, and there he was exten- 
sivelv engaged in mining. He married ^liss 
Louise Gallagher, of Charleston. Massachusetts, 
and thev became the parents of five children : 
Mrs. Lily St. Clair, of St. Joseph. Michigan : 
Samuel ^^^ ; Edward, a practicing dentist in St. 
Joseiih. Michigan : Winona, living in Texas City, 



178 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Texas: and ^[rs. Carrie Strong', of Calveston, 
Texas. 

Samuel W. Burchfield acquired his early edu- 
cation in the public schools of Youngstown, Ohio, 
and became a resident of Ann Arbor in 1882, 
being at that time a youth of twelve years. Com- 
pleting his education, he has for a number of 
years been actively connected with the mercantile 
circles here, entering business life as a merchant 
tailor on Liberty street. He established his pres- 
ent store in 1895, having a large and handsomely 
equipped building on Huron street, opposite the 
courthouse. He draws his patronage from the 
best citizens of Ann Arbor and his trade is con- 
stantly increasing — a fact which indicates that his 
workmanship is thoroughly modern and his Inisi- 
ness methods reliable. 

In 1895 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Burchfield and Miss Lillian Hobson, of Ann 
Arbor, and they now have two interesting daugh- 
ters : Cosctte, who is a student in the Ann .\rbor 
schools: and Ruth. Mr. llurchfield is a member 
of the Pienevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
while his political allegiance is given to the re- 
publican party. He is now serving as coroner. 
Ijut is not an active politician in the sense of 
office-seeking. He is ardent sportsman, finding 
tliis pleasure a recreation in the forests. In man- 
ner he is genial, having gained a host of warm 
friends and he is highly respected in both busi- 
ness and social life. His success may be ascribed 
to positive, determined pursuit of commercial in- 
terests and the fact that he is a man of honestv 
and integrity. 



C. H. KEMPF. 



C. H. Kempf, vice president of the Kempf 
Commercial Savings Bank, of Chelsea, was born 
in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Januarv i, 1831, 
his parents being Jacob and Rosina Kempf, both 
of whom were natives of Germany, whence they 
crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1830, 
taking up their abode in Bucks county, where 
they resided imtil 1838, when they came to Wash- 
tenaw county, settling at .\nn .\rbor. Tlie fa- 



ther was one of the early butchers of that city, 
and had to go to Ohio for his cattle. He was also 
identified with farming interests, and had eighty 
acres of land in Scio township, which he owned 
awd cultivated, transforming it into a productive 
tract of land. He likewise owned property in 
.■\nn .Vrbor. By his first marriage he had one 
son, Jac<ili, and liy his second marriage there 
were seven children, two of whom died in in- 
fancy. The others are: Reuben, C. H., Dean, 
(iodfrey and Rosina. Both of the jiarents are now 
deceased, and in their death the county lost two 
of its worthy pioneer people. 

C. H. Kempf was a youth of about seven years 
when brought by his family to Washtenaw 
county ; and in the public schools of Ann .\rbor 
he accfuired the educatidu that fitted him for life's 
])ractical and responsilile duties. He afterward 
learned the tinsmith's trade, at which he worked 
for si.x years, or until 1852, when he embarked 
in Ijusiness for himself as a member of the firm 
of Kempf & Risdon, of Chelsea. This relation- 
ship was maintained for a year and a half, .\bout . 
1857 his brother Reuben learned the trade and 
the firm became C. PI. & R. Kempf. Thev were 
thus associated for a long jieriod, or until 1877. 
Mr. Kempf, of this review, also embarked in the 
hardware business, and, later, in connection with 
his brother, he engaged in the produce business 
as a member of the firm of R. Kempf & llrdthcr. 
In 1876 they turned their attention to the bank- 
ing business under the same firm style, opening 
a private bank, which was thus conducted until 
1899, when the business was incorporated under 
the style of the Kempf Commercial & Sax'ings 
Bank of Chelsea, with Mr. Kempf as vice- 
president. He is also interested in loans and in 
operating in farm lands. He now gives his at- 
tention to the supervision of his invested inter- 
ests and the management of the Ijank. 

In 1855 Mr. Kempf was united in marriage to 
]\Iiss Mary E. Feer, of Lima, Michigan, and unto 
them have been born four children : but Charles, 
the eldest, died at the age of one year and ten 
months. The others are : George, who is now 
living in Detroit ; Wilbur G.. a resident of Hills- 
dale; and Myrtle, the wife of C. J. Chandler, of 
Detroit. 




C. H. KE.MPT, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



i8i 



In his political views Air. Kempf is a stalwart 
republican, and has taken an active and com- 
niendal)le interest in public affairs. He was one 
of the presidential electors \\hen Hayes was 
elected. He served as president and trustee of 
the village, and has ever e.xercised his ofificial pre- 
rogatives in support of measures for the general 
good. He belongs to Olive lodge. No. 156, A. 
F. & A. M.. and is a member of the Congrega- 
tional church. I lis life has been marked by con- 
secutive progress in business affairs, and his 
ready recognition and utilization of opportunity 
have been salient features in his success. He has 
worked steadily and persistently, first as a trades- 
man, later as a merchant, and subsequently as a 
banker, and now with a handsome competence, 
derived from his own labor, he is enabled to 
largely enjoy a period of rest from further active 
connection with business interests. 



THOMAS C. FULEER. 

Thomas C Fuller, conducting one of the lead- 
ing tailoring establishments in Ann .\rbor. is a 
native of England, his birth having occurred in 
London on the 8th of April. 1868. His father. 
Charles Fuller, was a draper of London, his 
business being largely that of a clothier and tailor 
in America. He wedded Mary Wade, also of 
London, and they became the parents of eight 
children, but only three are now living: Thomas 
C. : John, who has retired from business life and 
makes his home in London ; and Martha, who is 
living in Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

Thomas C. Fuller spent the first sixteen years 
of his life in the land of his nativity, but became 
attracted by the reports he heard concerning the 
business opportunities and advantages of the new 
world, and with a desire to improve his financial 
condition he sailed for the United States in 1884, 
making his way to Ypsilanti, Michigan. There 
he secured employment in the large paper mills, 
being thus engaged for four years, and he pre- 
pared for the practical and responsible duties of 
a business career by a course in a commercial 
college in Ypsilanti. Removing to Ann Arbor 



in 181/). he has since maintained his residence in 
this city, locating first in a tailoring business on 
.State street, where he remained for two years. 
In 1898 he removed to his present exceptionally 
favorable location at No. 69 East William street, 
where he has the patronage of a great majority 
of the students of the university. His business 
has reached very extensive and profitable pro- 
])ortions and he turns out clothing of the latest 
stN'les and most expert workmanship. At the 
time of the Spanish-. \merican war. however, Mr. 
Fuller put aside business and personal considera- 
tions and entered the (|uartermaster's department, 
becoming second lieutenant of Company G, Thir- 
ty-first Regiment of Michigan Volunteers. 

In 1892 occurred the marriage of Thomas C. 
Fuller and Miss Victoria McCarty, a native of 
Deerfield, Lenawee county, Michigan, and a rep- 
resentative of a prominent and influential family 
there. Although of English birth there is no 
more loyal American citizen than this adopted 
son, who is in thorough sympathy with the insti- 
tutions of the LInited States and the great prin- 
ciples which underlie our republican form of 
government. He has found here, too. the busi- 
ness opportunities which he sought and which by 
the way is always open to ambitious and ener- 
getic young men. His record, too, is another 
proof of the fact that it is the young men who are 
working their way to the front and utilizing the 
business conditions which have developed and 
displaying an adaptability and force of character 
that make them leaders in the commercial world. 



CLEMENT W. STONE. 

Clement W. Stone, deceased, was born in 
Gloucester, Massachusetts. His father, Dr. 
James A. B. Stone, was the first president of 
Kalamazoo College at Kalamazoo, Michigan. 
He married Lucinda Hinsdale, and they were 
prominent factors in social and intellectual life 
of the city in which they resided. Brought to 
the west by his parents, Clement W. Stone pur- 
sued his education in Kalamazoo College under 
the presidency of his father and fitted himself 



l82 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



for the profession of the law. He was, however, 
for many years identified with journahstic inter- 
ests, and lived for many years in Kalamazoo, 
Michigan, where he became the founder of the 
first daily paper there, called the Kalamazoo Tele- 
graph. He conducted it for a number of years, 
making it one of the leading journals in this part 
of the state, conducting the paper along pro- 
gressive lines and keeping in touch with the 
modern thought. After disposing of the paper 
he entered upon the active practice of law. which 
he followed up to the time of his death. 

In 1863 Mr. Stone was married to Caroline 
Moore, who was liorn in York township, Wash- 
tenaw county. Her father, Loren Moore, was a 
native of Colrain, Massachusetts, born in 1802, 
and was only a year old when his ])arents re- 
moved to Orleans, Ontario county. .\'ew ^'cirk. 
He was a son of Washington and Susan ( I'iice) 
Moore, and his boyhood days were spent in the 
Empire state. After arriving at years of ma- 
turity he was extensively engaged in farming- 
there for a number of years. He married Miss 
Philena Amsden, a native of Phelps, New York, 
and a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Gates) 
Amsden, who were natives of Massachusetts. 
Following his marriage Mr. ^Foore came to 
Michigan in 1831 with a number of other mem- 
bers of the Moore family. They were among 
the earliest settlers of Washtenaw county and 
took up their abode in York township, estab- 
lishing a village which was called Mooreville. 
The journey was made by team from Detroit 
through forest and over new roads, which made 
the trip a very arduous one, and thev established 
a pioneer settlement, meeting the various hard- 
ships, privations and dangers incident to a life on 
the frontier. Loren Moore purchased two hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land from the govern- 
ment which was entirely covered with trees. He 
cut away the heavy timber and cleared awa\' 
about two-thirds of that farm, transforming the 
wild tract into richly cultivated fields. After liv- 
ing there for a number of vears he sold the prop- 
erty and took up his abode in .\nn Arbor in 
1864. He had in the meantime accumulated a 
comfortable competence that permitted of a life 
of ease and in rest from further labor he spent 



his remaining days, his death occurring in i88r. 
His wife died in 1873. at the age of seventy-two 
}-ears. They were the parents of eight children, 
but ()nl\- two are now living. The son, Charles 
H. Moore, is a prominent citizen of Detroit, con- 
nected with the fish commission there. He mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Butterfield, of Greeley county, 
^lichigan, and they have six children: Mrs. 
Carrie Campbell, of New York city ; Mrs. Sarah 
Carruth, of Tampa, Florida : Mrs. Lena Doty, of 
Highland Park. Illinois; Charles Harry: Mrs. 
Hastings Achsah ; and Winifred. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stone were born a son and 
daughter, Charles P. and Lucille. The former 
is a graduate of the University of Michigan, hav- 
ing completed a course in the dental department 
in the class of iSyi. He is now practicing his 
profession in Saginaw, this state, and he was 
there married to Louise Schirmer, by whom he 
has one child, Clement .\. 

Mrs. Stone's father, husband and son were all 
sup|)orters of the republican party. ]\Ir. Stone 
jjassed away in 1S87. He had long figured promi- • 
nently in journalistic and legal circles in Kala- 
luazoo, where he was well known as a man of 
strong intellectualit}-. of genuine public spirit and 
of commendable personal qualities. Following 
the death of her husband ^Nfrs. Stone came to 
Ann ,\rb(ir, where she has since made her home. 



FRANK HAGEN. 



Frank Hagen is the owner of a well improved 
farm propertv in .\nn .\rbor township, compris- 
ing two hundred and ten acres of land. He was 
born in this township August 21. i860, his par- 
ents being John and Anna (Felkamp) Hagen. 
The father was born in Schalle, West Prussia, 
January 19, 1820, and came to the L^nited States 
in 1844. He was married in this country and 
after working as a farm hand for three years he 
located <in a farm of eightv acres on section 15, 
Ann .\rbor township. This was in 1847 ^^^^ with 
characteristic ener_g\- he be,gan clearing it of the 
lirush and timber. He had worked for one 
hunih-ed dollars per year and this gave him his 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



183 



start in life. Having' cleared sixty acres of land 
he then pnrchased seventy acres on section 15, 
and as his financial resources were further in- 
creased he bought one hundred and eighty acres 
and subsequently a tract of forty acres from the 
Burlingame estate. He also made investment in 
two hundred and two acres in Salem township 
and he had one hundred and sixty acres on sec- 
tion 10, Ann Arlx)r township, so that his landed 
possessions aggregated six hundred and fifty-two 
acres, in addition to which he owned town prop- 
erty. He was notably successful, for when he 
came to the United States he had no capital and 
was obliged to depend entirely upon his own re- 
sources and industry for the necessities and com- 
forts of life. As the years passed, through his 
judicious investment, capable management and 
unfaltering industry he gained a place among the 
most prosperous agriculturists of Washtenaw 
county. He gave personal supervision to his 
farm in Ann Arbor township, while in Salem 
township he rented his land. His death occurred 
in 1897. while his first wife passed away in 1870. 
He later married Mrs. F. Danky. who now sur- 
vives him and is living in Ann Arbor. In the 
family were ten children : Mary, Jacob, Frank, 
Emma, Louis, Lydia, Matilda, Fred, deceased, 
Emma and Herman. 

Frank Hagen, reared under the parental roof, 
pursued his education in the district schools and 
remained upon the old home farm, assisting his 
father in its operation. He is now the owner of 
two hundred and ten acres of the old home prop- 
erty, where he lives with his sister Emma, who 
is acting as his housekeeper. He carries on gen- 
eral farming and feeds all of his rough grain 
to cattle and sheep. Twenty-five acres of his 
land is covered with timber, but the remainder is 
under cultivation and he is largely engaged in 
raising corn, oats and wheat. His apple orchard 
covers eight acres and is in good bearing con- 
dition. He has a barn sixty-four by thirtv-eight 
feet and two others each thirty by forty feet and 
a shed fifty by twenty-five feet. Everything 
about his place is kept in excellent condition and 
the work of repair and improvement is being 
continually carried forward until his farm is one 
of the best properties in Ann Arbor township. 



In politics Mr. Hagen has always been a stanch 
democrat and for two years he served as town- 
ship treasurer, while at the present writing he 
is school inspector. He has the warm regard of 
a large circle of friends, many of whom have 
known him from his boyhood days to the present 
time. 



JOHN C. GARRETT. 

John C. Garrett, engaged in the practice of os- 
teopathy in Ypsilanti, was born in Washington 
county, Pennsylvania, April 25, 1869, his parents 
being William G. and Mary ( Barr) Garrett, both 
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The 
father is a farmer and is now living at College 
Springs, Page county, Iowa. He comes of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, while the Barrs were of 
Scotch descent. Unto him and his wife were 
born seven children: Minnie, the wife of J. E. 
.Sawhill, of Clarinda, Iowa : William, who is liv- 
ing in Page county. Iowa : Jennie, the wife of 
G. M. Trimball, of Page county; Maurice E., 
an osteopathic physician, of Detroit, Michigan ; 
Harry D., a clergyman in the United Presbyterian 
church at Pitzer, Iowa: John C, of this review; 
and one who died in infancy. 

John C. Garrett acquired his education in the 
public schools of Washington county, Pennsyl- 
vania, and of Page county, Iowa, and also in 
Amity College at College Springs, Iowa, from 
which he was .graduated in the class of June, 
i8()3. He afterward engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until 1899, when he entered the S. S. Still 
College of Osteopathy at Des Moines, Iowa, and 
was graduated in January, 1901. He then opened 
an office for the practice of his profession in 
Ypsilanti and has been quite successful in his 
work here, being accorded a liberal patronage 
in recognition of his capability and the effective 
service which he has rendered his fellowmen in 
restoring health and checking the ravages of dis- 
ease. 

On the 8th of November. 1893, Mr. Garrett 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. McKee, 
a daughter of James and Atlanta (Jones) Mc- 
Kee, of Page county, Iowa. They have one 



1 84 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



child. I'lii'ila l.avcra. Mr. ( lariitl is a man o{ 
tiiK' iHTsniialily. of iinfailiiii; (.■ourtcsN and .m'nial- 
ity, and lias Ik'Coiik' ixipnlar with his fellow i-iti- 
zens, wliili" in his profession he has trained a well- 
niei'iled deLlvee of sneeess. 



MRS. (\\R(M.IX1' r. i-:llis- 

Mrs. Caroline 1'. hdlis. residinin' al \'o. 1,^04 
H^ill street. Ann Arlxir. is a n.itive of \ ennont, 
her birth having oeenrred in roultiiey. on the 17th 
of March. 1839. She is a tlaii^hiiT of Inhn INmi- 
eroy. who was horn in Suffield. (."onnecticnt. and 
who as a life work followed the occupation of 
fiirniini;. lie iii;inied Miss Alniiia I'.rown. ;inil 
died in the \ear iS(k), while his wife survived 
uiilil Auj;ust JO. 1880. The menihcrs of their 
fainilv were as follows: Mar\' A. I'onierow who 
is living in .\nn Arbor: Jane K.. John G., Delia 
M.. Ellen C. Olive P.. and Ccorse E.. all de- 
ceased; Martha A. and l'".lliert 1... who have also 
])assed a\\a\ : I .udliiie 1'.. of Ann Arbor: and 
Emma 1... who is the widow of tieorge Steele, 
and lives in ."^iiriiigfield. Massachu.setts. 

C'aroline 1\ Ellis spent her girlhood days in her 
parents" home and ac(|uired a public-school edu- 
cation. .She ga\e her hand in marriage on the 
2Qth of l'\'bruary, i8()8, to Josei)h J. Ellis, and 
removed to .\nn Arbor. Mr. Ellis wa.s a son of 
IVter and Abigail (Stockton) Ellis, both of 
whom are now deceased, the father having died 
in 1859, al the age of seventy-one years, while 
the mother passed away in 1864. at the age of 
seventy-two years, TTis brotlicrs and sisters 
were: Edith D., who died in 18,^5: Hudson S., 
who died August 27, 1874; .Samuel S.. who 
passed away in 1887; and Caroline S., who died 
in 1882. 

Coming to Ann .\rbor soon after his marriage, 
Joseph J, Ellis was interested in carriage manu- 
facturing, also in agricultural pursuits, in the 
furniture business and as a director of the First 
National bank. His diversified interests show 
his business ability and strong purpose and what- 
ever he did was characterized by diligence, close 
application and honorable effort. As a represent- 



ati\e ol industrial and commcrci.al interests he 
made an excellent record in Ann Arbor .md iu 
exerylliiiii; that he did he showed resolute will 
that enabled him to carry forward to successful 
conipletiiin w hate\er Ik' undertook. Moreover, 
his business lile w .as characterized b\ irre])roacli - 
able iulegrit .. 

Cnto Mr. and .Mrs. l'".llis were Ixnn iwn sons: 
1 ludsou 1'.. who was born in i8()(). is now niar- 
ri(.'d and is engaged in the banking business in 
I'liris. Te.xas. John A., born in 1874. died in 
11)05. The death of the father occurred JuK 22, 
i88(>. and the community lost a representative 
citizen and good business man. and his familx ;i 
devoted husband and father. Ilis political al- 
legiance was gi\i-ii to the republican i)art\-. Mr. 
I'llis' ;mceslors w ei\' (Jii:ikers. but .Mi's. I'.llis is 
;i member of the l!aptist church in .\iiu Arbor. 
Since her husband's death .Mrs. h'llis has contin- 
iKil hir residi'uce in .\nii Arbor and occupies a 
tine mansion at \'o. i_^()4 Hill street. .She has 
gained many warm friends here and is held in 
w;inti regard b\ .ill who know her. 



D1:AX 1. SMITH. M. D. 

Or. Dean 1". .Smith, protes.sor of surger\' in the 
homeo])athic department of the University of 
Michigan, is also engaged in the jirivate (irac- 
tice of medicine in \iiii Aibor. AiULHig the many 
eminent in-actitioners iu the medical field for 
which the university city is noted few enjoy a 
wider re]iutation or greater popularity than Dr. 
Dean Tyler Smith, lie was born in Portland. 
Tonia county, Michigan, on the 9th of September. 
i860, and is a son of John E, and Amelia Smith. 
The father was twice married, and by his first 
wife had two sons: H. L. Siuith, a well know-n 
manufacturer of oil stoves and dealer in hard- 
ware, living at Jackson, Michigan : and Datns C 
an extensive wheat grower of North Dakota, who 
spends much of his time in New York city. Dr. 
.Smith's only full brother, John Clarence Smith, 
aged twenty-three years, is a student in the hoiue- 
opathic department of the University of Michi- 
gan. He has one sister, who is the wife of Dr. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



187 



M. P. Guy, of Jackson, this state. His mother, 
Mrs. AmeHa Tyler Smith, is also living- in Ann 
Arbor. 

When twelve years of age Dr. Smith accom- 
panied his father to Nebraska, where he after- 
ward entered the State University and won the 
degree of Bachelor of Science in 1887. In 1889 
he gained the degree of M. D. in the Chicago 
Homeopathic Medical College and subsequently 
pursued jjost-graduate courses in Johns Hopkins 
University at Baltimore, Maryland, and the Medi- 
cal School of New York city. He also spent 
about five months visiting the surgical hospitals 
of England and the continent, and thus broad- 
ened his knowledge and proficiency through his 
investigation of the methods practiced in the lead- 
ing institutions of that character abroad. From 
1889 until 1S92 he practiced at Decatur, Ala- 
bama, and in the latter year he came to Jackson, 
Michigan, where he practiced medicine and sur- 
gery until 1 90 1, when he came to Ann Arbor, 
accepting the professorship of surgery in the 
homeopathic department of the Universitv of 
IMichigan. His office is located at No. 106 South 
Main street, but his practice lies principallv out- 
side of the city, being called upon to perform 
surgical operations and in consultation through- 
out Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. 

In T894 Dr. Smith was united in marriage to 
Miss Ella Snook, a daughter of John Snook, of 
Romeo, Michigan, and they have three daughters : 
Stella Louise, Ella Gretchen and Adelina. They 
have a beautiful home at No. 712 East Washing- 
ton street and occupy an enviable position in so- 
Qial circles of the city. As a professor in the 
University of Michigan Dr. Smith is exceed- 
ingly popular with the other miembers of the 
faculty and the students as well, among whom 
his ability is uniformly recognized. 



WALTER FRANI<CLIN STIMPSON. 

Walter Franklin Stimpson, famous throughout 

the continents of North America and Europe as 

the inventor of the Stimpson computing scale, 

was born in Saline township, Washtenaw county, 

10 



September 20, 1870. His father, William Stimp- 
son, was a farmer and was born in Wind- 
ham, (Greene countw New York, Februarv 28, 
1835. He came to Washtenaw county with his 
father, Theodore Stimpson, in 1842, and settled 
in the southern part of Saline township. For 
many years William Stimpson followed farming 
but retired from agricultural pursuits in 1892 
and removed to Milan. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Maria L. Hurd and was a daughter of 
Dr. Isaac Hurd, of Milan. In the family were 
three sons : Walter F. ; George Washington, of 
Milan; and Frederick Hurd, who is a farmer in 
Hale, Michigan. 

Walter Franklin Stimpson was educated in the 
district schools of Saline township and at the 
Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti. He taught 
in the district schools when about eighteen years 
of age, and it was at that period in his career that 
he began giving his attention to mechanical in- 
ventions. He invented the now world famous 
computing scale in the spring of 1893 and in 
April, 1894, organized the Stimpson Comput- 
ing Scale Company. The ])lant was first 
located at Milan but was transferred to 
Tecuniseh, where it was conducted until the 
summer of 1896, when it was removed to 
Elkhart, Indiana, and the capital of the 
company was increased to one hundred thou- 
sand dollars. At this time Mr. Stimpson trans- 
ferred all of his stock to the company and in re- 
turn the company turned over all the patents to 
him, operating the concern on the royaltv basis, 
pa}'ing Mr. Stimpson royalties on the entire out- 
put of the plant for the use of his inventions. 
This arrangement continued until the concern 
grew to be ver}' prosperous. It was at that time, 
it appears, that a scheme was concocted by the 
managers to annul his royalty compact and de- 
prive him of his royalties and the fruits of 
his labors during the preceding eight or nine 
years. The contract was annulled in March, 
1899, and the company refused to pay further 
royalties. By the annullment of the contract the 
control of Mr. Stimpson's patents returned to 
him and he then, in the fall of 1899, went to De- 
troit and organized the W. F. Stimpson Company 
with a paid-up capital of one hundred thousand 



1 88 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



dollars. While tlu' Stinipsdii Computing Scale 
Company of Elkhart rofusod to pay royalties, 
yet it continued to use Mr. Stimpson's inven- 
tions, and no sooner had the \\\ F. Stimpson 
Company of Detroit gotten luuler way than liti- 
gation was hrought hy each concern against the 
other. The case came up in the United States 
court in Detroit in March, igoo. The suit was 
hard fought with capital on one side and the in- 
ventor with his capital on the other. The best 
legal talent in Chicago and Detroit was employed 
and the result was a complete victory for Mr. 
Stimpson and his associates. The case was then 
appealed to the circuit court of appeals and came 
up in Cincinnati in the summer of 1900, but Mr. 
Stimpson gained a second victory, his rights being 
sustained and an injunction granteil against the 
Elkhart concern restraining them from further 
use of his patents and his name. .Subsequently 
the Stimpson Company of Elkhart was glad to 
sell out to the Detroit concern at a very reasona- 
ble price, which they did in the fall of 1900, and a 
year or two later the factory and business of 
the Elkhart concern were moved to Detroit. 

In 1902 the two Stimpson concerns at Detroit 
were consolidated into a community of interests 
company with tlie Dayton Computing Scale Com- 
pany, of Dayton. Ohio, and the Mone\- Weight 
Scale Company, of Chicago, with a capital of 
over three million dollars with headquarters in 
New York city. The Stimpson Computing Scale 
Company at Detroit is in a flourishing condition 
and has built up a business that extends over the 
United States and Canada. 

After having placed the two computing scale 
companies on a solid footing Mr. Stimpson re- 
turned to Milan, where his family resided and 
organized the Stimpson Standard Scale Company 
with a paid-up capital of seventy-five thousand 
dollars. This plant was established for the manu- 
facture of heavy scales such as wagon scales, 
portable platform scales, truck scales and other 
specialties of Mr. Stimpson's invention, including 
coffee mills, meat choppers and other apparatus 
for use in grocery stores and markets. Mr. 
Stimpson is a majority stockholder in this con- 
cern and is secretary, treasurer and general man- 
ager, n 1905 he organized the Stimpson Mer- 
cantile Equipment Company with a paid-up capi- 



tal of twenty-five thousand dollars which is a 
selling company to put upon the market the spe- 
cialties manufactured by the Stimpson Standard 
Scale Company. Mr. Stimpson is president of 
the former corporation. 

On the I5tli of February, 1905, Mr. Stimpson 
was married to Miss Estelle Heyn, a daughter of 
Julius and Jennie Heyn, of Toledo, Ohio. Al- 
though a consistent republican he has never taken 
a very active interest in politics, having little 
time to devote to anything outside of his busy 
career as an inventor and business man. He is 
a member of the Universalist church and at pres- 
ent makes his home in Detroit, where he and his 
wife occupy a magnificent suite of rooms in the 
Hotel Plaza. Washtenaw county may well be 
proud to be the native place of such a son. 



WILLIAM ILLI. 



William Illi, a native of Germany, was born 
in Wurtemberg, on the 23d of February, 1869. 
his parents being George and Elizabeth Illi, of 
whom mention is made on another page of this 
work. He came to Ann Arbor in 1889, then a 
}oung man of twenty years, and for a time 
worked here at the baker's trade, which he had 
])reviously learned in Germany. He afterward 
returned to the east settling in Philadelphia where 
for two years he was engaged in the bakery busi- 
ness, and, then, on the expiration of that period, 
he returned to .\nn Arbor, where he was em- 
ployed by others for a time. During the past 
twelve years, however, he has conducted business 
on his own account, establishing a bakery which 
has grown to large proportions, his present lo- 
cation being at No. 213 East Washington street. 
His place of business is known as the Palace 
Bakery, and he has an extensive local trade, with 
a large delivery system. The excellence of his 
goods, his reasonable prices, promptness in de- 
livery and earnest endeavor to please his patrons 
are the salient elements in a success which is as 
honorable as it is gratifying. 

On the 6th of September, 1894. Mr. Illi was 
united in marriage to Miss Emily Snyder, of Ann 



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WILLIAM ILLI. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW CUUNTY. 



191 



Arbor, and they have four children : Freida. 
ten years of age ; Waldo, seven years old ; Lo- 
rena, a little maiden of four summers; and Ed- 
win. Mr. Illi is connected with the Knights of 
the Maccabees and also with local German so- 
cieties, in which his cordial disposition and kindly 
spirit make him popular. He belongs to the 
Bethlehem German Lutheran church, and is in- 
dependent in politics, expressing no strong pref- 
erence for either party, but voting as he thinks 
the interests of the occasion and time demand. 
His attention is more closely concentrated upon 
his business interests ; and he has wrought along 
jjrogressive lines, realizing that "honesty is the 
best policy," and that "there is no excellence 
without labor." 



GEORGE FREDERICK STEIX. 

George Frederick Stein, proprietor of a meat 
market in .\nn Arbor, was born in Scio townshijj. 
Washtenaw county, in 1852. He is a son of 
Michael Stein, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, 
born in 1805. In that country he married Mag- 
dalene Hombacher. and following the birth of 
their eldest child they came to America, making 
their way to Washtenaw county, where Mr. Stein 
purchased a farm in Scio township from the 
original owner, who had entered the land from 
the government. He secured eighty acres, and 
this place is still in possession of the famih'. It 
was all timber land when he took up his abode 
thereon, and he at once began the task of pre- 
paring it for the plow that it might yield the 
products that would provide his family with a 
good living. He first built a little log cabin and 
then resolutely set to the task of cutting down the 
trees, clearing away the brush and preparing the 
fields for the plow. Later he built a brick resi- 
dence, which is still standing, his son. Christian, 
now occupying that home. Michael Stein con- 
tinned successfully to follow farming up to the 
time of his death, which occured in 1879. His 
wife, who was born in 1810, died in 1887. They 
were the parents of ten children, of whom six are 
living : Mrs. Mary Schneider, a resident of Ann 



.\rbor; Mrs. Dorothy Weinmann, also of this 
city : Mrs. Christina Reinmold, who is living in 
Freedom township ; J. Michael, a resident farmer 
of Ann Arbor township ; Christian, who is living 
on the old homestead in Scio township ; and 
George Frederick. In his native land the father 
had served prior to his marriage for three years 
in the German army, and for six years after his 
marriage he was likewise in the military service 
of his country, thus remaining as a soldier for 
nine years. 

George Frederick Stein pursued his education 
in the district schools of his native township, and 
remained at home until eighteen years of age, 
when he left the farm and came to Ann Arbor, 
where he entered the employ of Michael Wein- 
mann. under whose direction he learned the 
InUcher's trade, for Mr. Weinmann was proprie- 
tor of a meat market. Mr. .Stein continued in his 
employ for four and a half years, at the end of 
which time he went to Marshall, Michigan, where 
he was employed at his trade for a year and a 
half, working there for his brother. Subse- 
c|uently he eml)arked in I)usiness on his own ac- 
count, opening a meat market on Huron street 
in Ann Arbor in the fall of 1878. Success at- 
tended the new enterprise and with a constantly 
growing trade he continued the business until 
1891, when he formed a partnership with L. C. 
Weinmann. a son of his former employer, Michael 
\\'einmann. They still conduct a market on 
Washington street, east, under the name of L. C. 
Weinmann. 

In January, 1879. Mr. Stein was married 
to IMiss Mary Heinrick, who was born in Ann 
Arbor, and is a daughter of John D. Heinrick, 
whose birth occurred in Wurtemberg, Germany, 
December 15, 1824. Her mother bore the maiden 
name of Christiana Koppenhoefer, and was also a 
native of Germany, whence she came to the 
L'nited States after her parents* death. She was 
married to Mr. Heinrick in Ann Arbor, August 
I. 1S55, and they traveled life's journey together 
for thirty-five years, his death occurring on the 
2d of September, 1890. while Mrs. Heinrick sur- 
vived until March 12. 1897. Their marriage was 
celebrated bv Rev. Schmid. and was blessed with 
five children, but only two are now living, Mrs. 



192 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Stein and Emma, the latter tlie wife of Emanuel 
Spring, of Ann Arbor, by whom she has two 
children, Heinrick and Frederick. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stein have become the parents 
of five children, and those who still survive are ; 
Robert F., Oswald, Amanda and Eugene. The 
parents hold membership in the Bethlehem Evan- 
gelical German church, of which Mr. Stein is one 
of the trustees and is now treasurer. In anal\-z- 
ing his life record we find that the secret of his 
success lies perhaps in the persistencv of purpose 
which he has manifested in following out the 
line of business in which, as a young tradesman, 
he has embarked. He has not dissipated his ener- 
gies over varied lines of activity, but has con- 
centrated his efforts upon the one business and 
his close application and reliable dealing have 
brought to him the creditable measure of pros- 
perity that he now enjovs. 



PARRIS S. BANFIELD. 

On the roll of representative merchants in 
Ann Arbor appears the name of Parris S. Ban- 
field, who is connected with the shoe trade, con- 
ducting a well equipped store at 203 State street, 
south. He is one of the city's native sons, his 
birth having occurred here August 17, 1852. He 
belonged to a family of nine children boni unto 
Henry and Frances (Allen) Banfield, the latter 
a daughter of a Methodist minister. Henry Ban- 
field came to Ann Arbor in 1850 and was an 
active and leading business man. carrying on 
trade as a shoe merchant and at the same time 
taking an active and helpful interest in public 
affairs. Many movements instituted for the gen- 
eral good received his endorsement and co- 
operation, and he left the impress of his individu- 
ality upon public thought and action. His death 
occurred in the year 1896, and his wife passed 
away in 1890. In their family were nine children, 
of whom six are yet living: Mrs. Harriett Rich- 
ardson, of Charlotte, Michigan; Mrs. Tillie Per- 
rine, of Ann Arbor; Mrs. Blanch Chamberlain, 
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Parris S. ; Win- 
nie S. Banfield, living in Ann Arbor; and Mrs. 
Emma Ricketts, of St. Paul, Minnesota. 



At the usual age Parris S. Banfield entered 
the public schools wherein he completed a course 
of study that well fitted him for life's practical 
and responsible duties. In his youth he became 
familiar with the shoe trade in his father's store 
and throughout his business career has been con- 
nected with that line of mercantile activity, now 
conducting a well equipped store on State street, 
where he enjoys a large, profitable and constantly 
growing business. His success has been accom- 
plished throu,gh personal effort and executive in- 
dustry and while thus associated with mercantile 
interests he has also extended his efforts into 
lines resulting directly for the public good. Ac- 
tive in politics and a recognized leader in the 
republican party he served as city marshal or 
chief of police in 1894-5. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Masons and with the Maccabees 
and the teachings and tenets of these orders re- 
ceive his hearty svmpathy and find exemplifica- 
tion in his life. 

Mr. Banfield was married in 1876 to Miss 
Viola Bovee, of Big Rapids, Michigan, and they 
now have a son, Harry M., who is an architect 
of California. Mr. Banfield having spent his 
entire life in Ann Arbor has a very extensive ac- 
quaintance here and many of his warmest friends 
are those who have known him from his youth 
to the present time — a fact that is indicative of 
a life prompted by honorable principles and char- 
acterized by straightforward dealing. Holding 
friendship inviolable, he enjoys the unqualified 
regard of many and he has the happy faculty of 
drawing his friends closer to him as the years 
pass by. 



G. C. STIMSON. 



Glen Cove Stimson, manager of the Chelsea 
Standard, was born in Parma, Michigan, August 
II, 1872, his parents being Henry I. and Eliza 
( King) Stimson. The father was a native of 
Lenawee county, this state, and wzs descended 
from New England ancestry, while in more re- 
mote generations his ancestors lived in England. 
His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the 
Rcvolntionarv war. Henrv I. Stimson con- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



193 



ducted a drug and general mercantile store and 
was thus associated with commercial interests' 
in JNlichigan until his death, which occurred in 
1876. His widow still survives him and is yet 
living in Chelsea. 

G. C. Stimson, whose name introduces this 
record, began his education in the schools of 
Parma and continued there until he had com- 
pleted the high school course. He afterward 
went to Albion College and was graduated with 
the class of 1896. He pursued the regular col- 
legiate course there and on putting aside his text- 
books he became the eastern representative of the 
Glazier Stove Company at New York city. There 
he continued for three years. He then turned his 
attention to the news^japer business in North 
.\dams, Alassachusetts, being assistant editor of 
the Evening Herald for one year. He next went 
to New York and entered the employ of William 
Crandall as assistant on the Municipal Journal of 
New York city, with which he was connected for 
about a year. Later he was an employe of the 
New York Commercial, with which he continued 
luitil 1902, when he returned to Chelsea. Here 
he became proprietor of the Chelsea Standard 
and was its editor for two years. The Chelsea 
Standard was established in 1887 by William 
Enimett, Jr. He conducted the paper until 
1890. when it was sold to O. T. Hooper, who re- 
mained its editor and proprietor until Mr. Stim- 
son became its purchaser in 1902. He now 
manages the paper and keeps it up to a high 
standard of modern journalism. Mr. Stimson 
is a young man of excellent business ability, of 
keen discernment and unfailing energy and in his 
business career has made consecutive advance- 
ment, each step being carefully planned. 



A\M1.I.I.\.\I 1;L.\IR, M. D. 

Dr. William Blair, physician and surgeon of 
Ann Arbor, whose activity and helpfulness in 
community affairs entitles him to mention with 
the representative citizens here, was born in 
Carlisle. Pennsylvania, November 13, 1869, his 
parents being Andrew and Mary (Stewart) 



Blair. The father was a native of Perry county, 
Pennsylvania, and the mother was likewise born 
in the Keystone state. They are now living in 
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Blair 
is an officer in the Cumberland Valley Railroad 
and active in business affairs. 

In the public schools of his native city Dr. 
Blair remained as a student until he had mas- 
tered the branches of its curriculum and in 1887 
he came to Ann Arbor, where he entered the high 
school, completing the course here by graduation 
in the class of 1888. In the fall of the same year 
he enrolled as a student in the literary depart- 
ment of the University of Michigan, but illness 
forced him to put aside his text-books and it was 
not until 1890 that he resumed his studies, be- 
coming then a student in the medical department, 
from which he was graduated in 1893. For two 
vears he was a teacher in the university and he 
remained in private practice in Ann Arbor until 
1894, when he removed to Harrisburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he opened an office. Two years 
later, however, he returned to Ann Arbor, where 
he has since practiced with constantly growing 
success. He is a member of the Washtenaw 
County Medical Society, the Michigan State 
Medical Society and the Ann Arbor Medical 
Club, and thereby keeps in touch with the ad- 
vance of thought of the profession, with the 
knowledge that is gained from individual prac- 
tice and experience and with the progres that is 
reached through scientific investigation. Dr. 
Blair is also well known because of his activity 
in behalf of community interests. He takes a 
hel])ful part in matters pertaining to the welfare 
cif the citv, withholding his endorsement from no 
helpful public measure and as a member of the 
city council of Ann Arbor he has given tangible 
proof of his loyalty to its welfare. His political 
views are in harmony with republican principles 
and his religious faith is indicated by his mem- 
bership in the Presbyterian church. 

Happy in his home life he was married in 1892 
to ^liss \'iola M. Williams, who was a classmate 
of his in the literary department of the University 
of .Michigan, the marriage being celebrated on 
the day of her graduation. Her parents were 
Jeremiah D. and Jane L. (Stark) Williams, early 



194 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



sfltliTs of Waslitciiaw couiitw liavins;- lakt'ii up 
i^-owrnnunl land lure wlicn this county was first 
opcnoil up. Hospitality is one of the pleasing 
characteristics of their home and their social 
pmniinence in enviable. Dr. I'.lair has won an 
equalh' i^'ratifyini;- position in professional circles 
as a result of his skill, knowledtic and ability. In 
his professional capacit\' he is known throus;h- 
out the city and surrounding;' country and a dis- 
ting-uishing feature oi his practice is the strong 
lumianitarian principles which he so frequently 
displays. 



I'K.WKIJN P.ENH.VM. 

iManklin llcnham. deceased, made his home in 
Ann Arbor throughout liis entire life and was 
a representative of a pioneer taniily of this city. 
He was born here. November 5, 1842, his par- 
ents being Nelson and Polly (Collins) nenham. 
bntli (if whom were natives of the Empire state, 
where they reside until i8_^8, wdien they came to 
Ann Arbor, becoming early residents of Wash- 
tenaw count \. The father cngTlged in the hotel 
business on the north side, which was then the 
best part of ilu' citw purchasing what was then 
known as llie old Washtenaw House, eondueting 
it as a fu'st-class hostelry throughoni hi-< remain- 
ing days. He was Ixirn .-\]iril 3, iSoi. anil died 
in ^S/fi. ha\ing long survived his wife, wdio was 
born I'"i,brnar\ 14. 1S02, and died June iCi, 1847. 
Tlkw had a large family of chililren, of whom 
l''ranklin was the youngest. 

In the public schools of his native city Franklin 
llenham aci|uired his education. .Mways a lover 
of fine horses, be began to follow the races and 
enga.ged in that business most of his life. His 
lirother, who conducts a livery stable, owned 
many line race horses. .\lr. llenham of this re- 
\-iew became known as one of the best horsemen 
in the >iaie. was an excellent ju(l,gc of horses 
and owned many fine animals. He traveled f|uite 
extensively, especially in the summer time, visit- 
ing the state and count\ fairs but he .always 
spent the winter months with hi^ wile in .\im 
Arbor, 



Mr. r.enham was married in this city, March 
20, 1903, to Miss Frances Adeline Tice, a na- 
tive of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county. New 
"S'ork. and a daughter of John and Sabrina 
(lla\ner) Tice. both of whom were natives of 
Rensselaer ciuuUy. lier father became a pioneer 
resident of .\nn .\rbor, locating here when the 
cit\' was little more than an embryo village and 
when the county was wiUl and unimproved. He 
was a carpenter by tnide and built many of the 
fine residences of the eitw including the home of 
Dr. Snfith am! other substantial structiu-es here. 
In fact he was identified with building oper- 
ations in \iin Arbor until the time of his death, 
which occurred in February, 1892, His wife 
also died here ( 'ctober 27, i8qi. Two of their 
sons. Abraham and John K. 'J'ice, arc yet resi- 
dents of .\nn .\rbor. 

The death of Mr. I'lenlrim occurred on the 
2d of March, 101)4. In politics he was a demo- 
crat but at local and state elections cast his 
ballot t'or the candidate wdiom he regarded as 
best ((ualified for office. In his business aiifains 
he was successfid, capably mana.ging his interests 
until a good financial income resulted. He had 
a wide acquaintance throuohont the state, where 
his genial manner made him popular, Mrs. P)en- 
li.im is cpnte prominent in social circles in .\nn 
Arbor .ind is w ell-to-clo. .She owns a nice home 
.U \o. 517 lliscock street, which was built by 
her father, and also other valuable property in 
this city and in and anumd I'.attlc Creek, Michi- 
gan, 



MICHAEL .1. Eh:HMAN. 

;\lichael J. Lehman, like the great majority 
of the stitrdy Teutons who have contributed so 
largely to the development and prosperity of 
Ann .\rbor and Washtenaw county, was born in 
Wnrlemberg, Cermany, September 3, 1830. His 
father. Michael Lehman. Sr., was a farmer by 
occupation and died XoxTinber 22. 18S3. His 
wife, who prior to her marriage bore the name 
of lA-a Maria Heselschwerdt, died January 3, 
i8g8. In the family in addition to Michael were 
six sons and ll\e daughters. The living broth- 




FRANKLIN BENHAM 




TOHx ticp:. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



199 



ers are as follows : ]\Iatthe\v L., a resident of 
White Oak, Ingham coiintw, Michigan ; Henry, 
of Waterloo, Jackson county ; William R., of 
Grass Lake township, Jackson county ; and Con- 
rad L., of Chelsea, Michigan. Those who have 
passed away are : George L., who died in Lyndon 
township in 1897; and Peter J., who died in Ann 
Arbor in 1901. The sisters are: Mrs. Catherine 
Oesterle, of Sylvan : and Mrs. INIary ^^'urster, of 
■NLinchester, this county : Mrs. Elizabeth Riemen- 
schneider, of Waterloo, Jackson county : Mrs. 
Lydia Nordman, of Jackson city ; and Mrs. Ida 
Barth, of Ann Arbor. 

Michael J. Lehman came with his father's fam- 
ily from Germany at an early age, the family 
home being established in the township of Free- 
dom. He completed his literary education in the 
Grass Lake high school and then determining to 
make the practice of law his life work he entered 
the law department of the University of Michi- 
gan in 1878 and on the completion of the regular 
course was graduated with honors. His repu- 
tation at the bar is well known throughout south- 
ern Michigan. He was prosecuting attorney of 
Washtenaw county from 1888 until 1892 and in 
the control of his private practice has shown keen 
discrimination, analytical power, logical reason- 
ing and forceful presentation of his cause. A 
liberal clientage has been accorded him and his 
business has been of a distinctively representative 
character. 

On the 24th of November, 188 1, Mr. Lehman 
was married to Miss Mary Schumacher, a 
daughter of George and Dorothy Schumacher, 
of Waterloo, Jackson county. They have three 
sons : Christian Henry, who is studying in the 
University of Michigan with the class of 1907; 
George Michael, a member of the class of 1908 in 
the literary department ; and Carl Adolph, who is 
attending the high school of Ann Arbor. 

Mr. Lehman is a member of the Knights of 
the Maccabees and has held the highest offices 
in that fraternity. He is also a member of the 
Workingmen's Benevolent Association of Chel- 
sea lodge and belongs to Ann Arbor Bethlehem 
Evangelical church. His law office has been re- 
moved to Detroit and he occupies suite 51 and 
52, McGraw building, where a liberal practice is 



accorded him. He lives in a beautiful home at 
No. 119 Grandview avenue, Ann Arbor, com- 
manding a view of the city with its university 
buildings and the valley of the Huron that can 
not be surpassed anywhere in this section. 



JOHN B. BURKE. 



Jcilm 1'.. Hurke, proprietor of a large plumbing 
and heating establishment in Ypsilanti, is a na- 
tive son of this state, his birth having occurred in 
Xorthficld on the 4th of February, 1876. He is 
one of the ten children who were born unto John 
and Marg-aret (Cominskie) Burke. The father, 
who for many years followed the occupation of 
farming and thus provided for his family, is now 
living a retired life near Ypsilanti and has at- 
tained the age of seventy years. Nine of the 
children are yet living. 

John B. Burke was reared under the parental 
roof and in the district schools of Northfield ac- 
quired his education, pursuing his studies 
through the winter months, while in the summer 
seasons he worked upon the farm, early becom- 
ing familiar with the arduous toil necessary to 
the development of the fields and the care of 
stock. He was thus employed until eighteen 
years of age. when, thinking that he would find 
the industrial or commercial pursuits more con- 
genial, he left the old homestead and came to 
Ypsilanti, where he entered upon an apprentice- 
ship to the trade of plumbing and heating. In 
this capacity he was employed by various Ypsi- 
lanti concerns, continually broadening his knowl- 
edge of the business and promoting his efficient 
workmanship. For the past five years he has been 
engaged in business on his own account and for 
two years has been located at No. 16 North 
Washington street, where he conducts a large 
plumbing and heating establishment, carrying 
general fixtures and plumbing supplies and doing 
contract work in this line. 

Mr. Burke has given his political allegiance 
to the democracy since age conferred upon him 
the right of franchise. He belongs to the 
Catholic church and is a member of the Knights 



200 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



of Columbus. He has a wide and favorable ac- 
quaintance in Ypsilanti, where he has now made 
his home for more than a decade and is justly 
accounted one of the wide awake, alert and enter- 
prising young business men, possessing the sta- 
bility of character and strength of purpose that 
enables him to carry forward to successful ac- 
complishment whatever he imdertakes. 



ADOLPH G. NIETHAMER. 

Adolph G. Niethamer, a member of the well 
known firm of Huss & Niethamer, contractors 
and builders of Ann Arbor with an extensive 
business which covers this city and Washtenaw 
county, was born in Scio township. May 27, 
1870. His father, Jacob Niethamer, was a na- 
tive of Stuttgart in the duchy of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, and coming to America he purchased 
an eighty-acre farm at Scio, where he died when 
his son Adolph was only two years old. His 
wife, who prior to her marriage was Marv Gen- 
genbach, was also a native of Stuttgart. 

Adolph G. Niethamer attended the public 
schools of his native township until he was four- 
teen years of age. He had two brothers ; Johnson 
I-"., a grocer; and Moses G., a carpenter and 
builder, both of whom are now living in Ann 
.\rbor. There were also two sisters in the fam- 
ily : Minnie, who died at the age of sixteen years; 
and Lydia, who became the wife of Henry Frey, 
of Francis, Michigan, and died in 1899. 

At the age of eighteen years Adolph G. 
Niethamer began learning the carpenter's and 
builder's trade under the direction of his brother 
Moses. The following }'ear he went to work for 
John Walz, of Ann Arbor, with whom he re- 
mained for eleven years with the exception of 
eighteen months spent in the cm|)loy of the state 
at work upon the university buildings. In 1904 
he entered into partnership with .Aaron C. Huss, 
a well known carpenter and builder of Ann 
Arbor, thus forming the firm of Huss & Nieth- 
amer, now doing contract work on an extensive 
scale in this city and the countv. Man\- im- 
portant contracts have been awarded them and 



they are insured a continuance of a liberal pat- 
ronage by reason of their fair and honorable 
methods and the e.xcellent work executed by 
them. 

On the 15th of Deceml>er, 1892, INIr. Nieth- 
amer was married to Miss Mary L. Eiding and 
thev have two children, a daughter. Delta K., 
now five years of age, and a son, Woodard A., 
who is two \-cars old. .\lthough Mr. Niethamer 
ever gives an unfaltering support to the 
democrac\ he has never been a candidate for 
office. He is a member of the American Health 
& Sickness Association and attends the Fourth 
Avenue Evangelical Bethlehem church of Ann 
Arbor. Having alwa^'s lived in this city he is 
widely known and has attained a creditable posi- 
tion in business circles through his own well 
directed efl:"orts and merit. 



EDW.VRD J. WAGNER. 

Edward J. Wagner, an enterprising young 
farnier who represents one of the old pioneer 
families of Washtenaw county, was born in Scio 
township, October 3, 1882, his parents being Wil- 
liam H. and Margaret (Berk) Wagner. The 
father was also born in Scio township, his natal 
day being September i, 1848, and he was a son 
of Casper and Dorothea C. (Ehemann) Wagner, 
both of whom were native of Wittenberg, Ger- 
many. The grandfather was born June 25, 1810, 
and came to this country in 1837, locating first 
near Toledo, < )hio, where he worked on a canal. 
Later he came to W^ashtenaw county, Michig-an, 
where he was first employed as a farm hand, 
but when his labor had brought him capital suf- 
ficient to justify his engaging in farming on his 
own account, he bought fort}' acres, which he 
cleared and improved. In 1875, having sold his 
original purchase, he bought one hundred acres 
and after disposing of that he purchased two 
bunded and six acres, whereon he resided until 
1889. He then built him a home in .-\nn .\rbor, 
where he lived retired up to the time of his death, 
which occurred July 2t,, 1901. He was first 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



20 1 



married to a Miss Allmendinger, and their only 
cliild, a son. died in infancy. After a married 
life of two }ears RErs. Wagner died and on the 
31st of October. 1847, Casper Wagner was mar- 
ried to Airs. Dorothea C. Balden, nee Ehemann, 
the widow of Frederick Balden. She was born 
in Wittenberg, Germany, January 14, 1814, and 
died May 9, 1904. Both Mr. and Mrs. Casper 
Wagner thus lived to be more than ninety years 
of age. They held membership in the Evangelical 
church. In their family were three sons : Wil- 
liam H. : John D., who was born June 7, 1851, 
and is now living in Plainwell, ^Michigan; and 
Herman J., who was born November 12, 1854, 
and died April 16, 1894. 

William H. Wagner, father of our subject, 
was reared to the occupation of farming on the 
old family homestead in Scio township and con- 
tinued to follow that pursuit throughout his en- 
tire life. He was married at Berlin, St. Clair 
county. Alichigan, March 18, 1875, to Miss 
Margaret Berk, \vho was born in Lorain county, 
Ohio, October 22, 185 1, and is a daughter of 
John and Catherine (H^ussner) Berk, both na- 
tives of Hessen, Germany, the former born Janu- 
ary 28, 1822, and the latter December 26, 1814. 
Coming to America in 1837, Mr. Berk settled in 
Lorain county. Ohio, and in 1866 removed to this 
county, taking up his abode in Dexter township, 
where he purchased one hundred and twenty 
acres of land three miles west of Dexter. He 
built a new house on this land and carried on 
general farming until 1870, when he removed to 
Berlin. St. Clair county, Michigan, where he pur- 
chased a farm upon which he spent his remain- 
ing days. He died May 24, 1875, and his wife 
died June 16, 1887. They were the parents of 
three sons and four daughters. Eva Eliza, the 
eldest, born June 25, 1840, who became the wife 
of Henry Spiegelberg, and died at the age of 
twenty-two years, leaving one son ; William H., 
who was born January 25, 1842, and died at the 
age of seventeen years ; Mary C, born Septem- 
ber 17, 1849, 'ind now living in Capac, St. Clair 
county; Mrs. Margaret Wagner; John F., who 
was born June 24, 1854, and is now living in 
Port Huron, Michigan; and George B., who was 
born January 13, 1857, and is now living on the 
old homestead in Berlin, St. Clair county. 



Margaret Berk gave her hand in marriage to 
William H. Wagner when twenty-three years of 
age. and they began their domestic life upon the 
home farm. He had been educated in the public 
schools of Scio township and when a young man 
lived at home with his parents and worked on 
the farm. When nineteen years of age he went 
on a trip to Germany, spending three months 
abroad in sight-seeing, and in visiting his uncles 
and aunts. After he had been married about 
three years he began working the old home farm 
on the shares and thus continued up to the time 
of his death. He made money through his farm- 
ing operations, wdiich were carefully conducted, 
raising as high as fifteen hundred bushels of 
wheat some years. He lived an honest, upright 
life, respected by all who knew him and left to 
his family a comfortable competence and an un- 
tarnished name. He acted as a member of the 
school board for a number of years and the cause 
of education found in him a warm friend. He 
gave his political support to the republican party, 
which has always been the faith of the family. 
He died May 6, 1887, and his widow is now liv- 
ing at No. 1 214 Huron street, Ann Arbor. In 
their family were two daughters : Sarah S., born 
May 4, 1876, is the wife of Dr. Otis M. Cope, 
of Lorain, Ohio; and Cora, born June 9. 1879, 
is with her mother. 

Edward J. ^^^agner, who was born in Scio 
township on the farm wdiere he is at present 
living, has always been identified with farming 
interests. He completed his more specifically 
literary education in the Ann Arbor high school ; 
he then began clerking in Ann Arbor, remaining 
in the employ of E. E. Beal for two years, after 
wliich he went to Saginaw, Michigan, where he 
was in charge of a boot and shoe business. Again 
going to Ann Arbor, he was in the employ of 
Schairer & Millen for a year and a half, at the 
end of which time he attended Cleary Business 
College, at Ypsilanti, Michigan, at which institu- 
tion he took their business course. He was mar- 
ried soon after finishing his course at Ypsilanti, 
and returned to the old homestead farm in Scio 
township on the ist of April, 1905. Here he is 
farming along modern business lines, and in 
the present year harvested about fourteen hun- 
dred bushels of wheat. 



202 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



On the 8th of February, 1905, Mr. Wagner 
was married to Miss Maude Wilkerson, a daugh- 
ter of Horace and Dora (Johnson) Wilkerson, 
both of whom were natives of Dundee, Monroe 
county, Michigan. The father, who engaged in 
the operation of a flour mill at Dundee, also 
owned an interest in a sawmill and was likewise 
engaged in the lumber business. He possessed 
excellent business equipment and was a respected 
and honored citizen. Fraternally he was con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows at Dundee, and also with the Masons in 
which order he had taken twenty degrees. In 
politics he was a republican. He died in 1899, 
while Mrs. Wilkerson is still living in Dundee. 
They were the parents of three children, Mar- 
garet, Maude and Nan. 

^Ir. Wagner is a member of the Disciples 
church at Ann Arbor, and be exercises his right 
of franchise in support of the men and measures 
of the republican party. He is well known in 
the city as well as in Scio township, and is a 
popular young man, enterprising in business, 
and with a host of warm friends in the county, 
where almost his entire life has been passed and 
where his ancestors settled in pioneer days. 



JAMES H. WILCOX. 

James H- Wilcox, deceased, whose business 
life constituted an important element in the in- 
dustrial and commercial activity of Ypsilanti, 
where for many years he was a well known repre- 
sentative of the marble trade, was born near 
Syracuse, New York, May 12, 1831. His par- 
ents always remained residents of the Empire 
state, where the father owned large woolen mills, 
which he operated for many years. 

James H. Wilcox acquired a good academic 
education in his native town and was the only 
member of his father's family who came to Michi- 
gan. He was thirty years of age when he came 
to Ypsilanti and believing that there was a good 
opening for a modern hotel, he engaged in the 
conduct of a hostelry on Washington street for 



a year. On the expiration of that period he 
secured a position as traveling salesman with a 
Chicago house, his territory being central Illinois 
and through the succeeding two years he was thus 
engaged. On the expiration of that period he 
returned to Ypsilanti. After his marriage he 
entered into a partnership under the firm name 
of Batchelder & Wilcox and they established a 
marble business on Washington street, manu- 
facturing all kinds of tombstones, monuments 
and other marble specialties. From the beginning 
the new enterprise prospered and they employed 
many workmen and did a large business. Mr. 
Batchelder attended to all tlie inside work of the 
shop and Mr. Wilcox to the outside interests of 
the firm, doing all of the soliciting, collecting and 
other business connected with the management 
and conduct of their trade. He was actively en- 
gaged in the business for seventeen years or until 
the time of his death, and with mutual harmony 
and profit the business was carried on, bringing 
a good financial return. 

After his return to Ypsilanti Mr. Wilcox was 
married here to Miss Sarali J. Haner, a daughter 
of Charles P. and Sarah (Sliter) Haner, both 
natives of Albany, New York, whence thev came 
to Washtenaw county in 1837, thus casting 
in their lot with its pioneer settler. The father 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres and they 
were among the first settlers in Augusta town- 
ship, where he located his farm, cleared his land 
and placed it under the plow. His remaining 
days were there devoted to general agricultural 
pursuits and following his death Mrs. Haner 
came to Ypsilanti and made her home with Mr. 
and Mrs. Wilcox until called to her final rest. 
Three of the members of her family are living : 
Mrs. Wilcox ; Albert, a retired farmer residing in 
Milan ; and Louis, a retired farmer living in 
White Pigeon, Michigan, at the age of eighty-one 
years. 

Mr. Wilcox exercised his right of franchise in 
support of the men and measures of the repub- 
lican party and his position in regard to political 
or other vital questions was never an equivocal 
one. He was fearless in defense of what he be- 
lieved to be right and he stood as tlie champion 
of many progressive and reform measures. He 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



203 



belonged to the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, of Ypsilanti, and he held membership in 
the Gsngregational church, of which his wife 
was one of the charter members. All his life he 
was a stanch champion of the temperance cause 
and was loyal to whatever tended to uplift man 
or raise to higher ideals the standard of human 
conduct. His own life was in many respects 
most exemplary and he had many warm friends 
both in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. He died 
February 9, 1900, and having endeared himself 
to many with whom he had been associated, his 
death was widely regarded as a personal be- 
reavement. Mrs. Wilcox owns and occupies a 
good home at No. 413 Huron street, and is well 
known in the city where she has so long made 
her home until the friendships of her girlhood 
have extended into later life and made her popu- 
lar in social circles of the citv. 



JOSEPH WYCKOFF. 

Joseph Wyckoff was born in the town of 
Romulus, Seneca county, New York, and was 
married at the age of twenty-one years to Phebe 
W. Peterson. Coming to Washtenaw county, 
Michigan, in 1827, he purchased a section of land, 
which is now included in Superior and Salem 
townships, it being on both sides of the dividing 
line. When he located there it was still a wil- 
derness, his nearest neighbors being three and 
a half miles away. The roads and paths were 
marked by blazed trees and Detroit was the near- 
est market, it requiring two days to reach that 
city with ox teams, and as the roads were gener- 
ally in a bad condition it took four oxen to 
haul the loads. The Wyckofif home became the 
stopping place for the settlers as they arrived 
here while building homes for the accommoda- 
tion of their families. It would often happen 
that there would be fifteen or twenty for whom 
Mrs. Wykoflf had to cook besides her own little 
family. 

As time passed Mr. Wyckoff sold some of his 
original tract but still retained a farm of two 
hundred and sixty-seven acres. While the 



country was new and the settlers were too poor 
to build schoolhouses, school was conducted in 
his home. He reared a large family, consisting 
of five sons and eight daughters, and with the 
exception of three who died in infancy he lived 
to see them all grow up and marry. He died at 
the home of his son Theron, in Salem, at the 
age of eighty-five years. 



GEORGE FRED RONNEBURGER, M. D. 

George Fred Ronneburger, physician and sur- 
geon of Ann Arbor, was born in Berlin, Ger- 
many, January 30. 1S78. His father was Gustav 
R. Ronneburger. who married Louise Hanisch, 
of Dueben, Saxony. They came to America in 
i88r, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where 
the father became extensively engaged in the 
manufacture of willow furniture. He carried 
on that business successfully for some time but 
is now operating in real estate in Milwaukee to 
some extent, though practically living retired. In 
his family were three sons and a daughter, but 
the brothers of Dr. Ronneburger, Otto and 
Robert, arc both deceased. The sister is Mrs. 
Nicholas Zweifel, a resident of Milwaukee. 

Dr. Ronneburger was only three years old 
when brought by his parents to the United States. 
He attended successively the grammar and 
west side high schools of Milwaukee and 
as his choice of a life work fell upon 
the profession of medicine, he enrolled as 
a student in the medical department o f 
the University of Michigan in 1897, but 
after a brief period he was forced by illness 
to discontinue his studies for a year. In 1898 
he re-entered the university, where he completed 
the full course and was graduated with the class 
of 1902. He located at once for practice in this 
city and has secured a patronage which many 
an older member of the profession might well 
envy. He has a well equipped suite of rooms at 
No. 219 Main street, south. 

In 1904 Dr. Ronneburger was married to Miss 
Emily Lutz, a daughter of Christian Lutz, of 
Ann Arbor. Fraternally he is a Roval Arch Ma- 



204 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



son and his professional relations connect him 
with the Ann Arbor Medical Society, Washtenaw 
County Medical Society and the State Medical 
Association. Deeply interested in his profession 
both from a humanitarian and professional stand- 
point, he is well equipped for his chosen life work 
and is continuously promoting his efficiency 
through reading and investigation. 



THOMAS BIRKETT. 

Thomas Birkett, a prominent representative of 
the banking and milling interests of Dexter and 
of Washtenaw county, has through his intense 
and well directed activity worked his wav steadily 
upward in business until he is to-day one of the 
substantial citizens of this section of the state, 
controlling interests which have brought to him a 
gratifying financial return and at the same time 
have been a source of industrial and commercial 
development in the county. He was born in Cum- 
berland, England, on the loth of January, i8,^.^, 
his parents being Thomas and Eleanor (Mc- 
Clean) Birkett, the former of English parentage 
and the latter of Scotch descent. The father died 
at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife 
passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. In 
their famil)' were four sons and three daughters, 
of whom five are now living, namelv : Jane. Mar- 
garet, Elizabeth, William and Thomas. 

Thomas Birkett acquired his education in the 
parish schools of his native country and remained 
a resident of England until 1852, when, at the age 
of nineteen years, he crossed the Atlantic on a 
sailing vessel which weighed anchor at Liverpool 
and after a voyage of forty-seven days reached 
the harbor of New York. Mr. Birkett made his 
way to Dresden, New York, where he secured 
employment at the miller's trade, which he had 
mastered in his native country. Tn 1853, however. 
he came to Washtenaw county, Michigan, where 
he was emploj^ed as a miller for a year and then 
took charge of the mill owned by D. D. Sloan & 
Company. This was in 1854 and he continued in 
charge until 1861, when Mr. Sloan died and Mr. 
Birkett purchased his interest in the mill and also 



rented the interest of \'olney Chapin, the other 
owner, for about two years. On the expiration of 
that period he purchased Mr. Chapin's interest 
and continued in control of the business until 
1880. during which time he purchased the Hud- 
son mill, operating the two plants. At a later date 
he sold the two mills and organized a stock 
compan\- that built a pulp mill under the 
name of the l.iirkett Manufacturing Com- 
]")any. In 1887 he purchased the Dexter 
mill, which he is to-day operating as a 
grist mill and in 1892 he bou.ght the Peninsula 
mills and still owns the water power. As a repre- 
sentative of milling interests he has promoted in- 
dustrial activity in Washtenaw county and these 
different enterprises have also proved a source of 
general profit by furnishing employment to many 
workmen. In addition to his other milling inter- 
ests he was at one time the owner of the Howell 
mills and also the Pinckney mills. In 1893 ^'"• 
Birkett assisted in organizing the Dexter Savings 
Bank, of which he has been president from the 
beginning. This institution has been carried on 
along safe and conservative lines that have awak- 
ened general confidence and the bank has become 
one of the strong financial concerns of the county. 
He owns a farm of about three hundred acres in 
Dexter township with two and a half miles of 
frontage on Portage lake. His farm embraces 
Prospect Hill, which is the highest point in lower 
Michigan. He owns the fine old home, which was 
built by Judge Dexter in 1844, and he has large 
business interests and water power in Petoskey 
and at Walloon Lake. 

\t one time he was largely interested in south- 
ern pine lands with Senators Palmer and Stock- 
bridge, Mr. Herdnian (the father of Dr. Herd- 
man), the Hon. Ed LThl. Russian minister, and 
others, most of whom have since crossed the 
"great divide." This enterprise proved quite 
profitable. 

It was on the ist of May, 1855, that Thomas 
Birkett was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. 
Grundon. who died on the 2d of December, 1892. 
leaving a daughter. Eleanor, who is now the wife 
of H. W. Newkirk. of Ann Arbor. Mr. Birkett 
has never sought to figure before the public in any 
political sense but as a prominent business man is 




THOAIAS illRKETT. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



207 



widely known. He came to Washtenaw county 
in pioneer days and in the humble capacity of a 
tradesman began life within its borders. He has 
advanced steadily step by step until his business 
record is such as excites the admiration and wins 
the respect and confidence of his contemporaries. 
Never making an engagement that he has not 
fulfilled nor incurring obligations that he has not 
met. he is to-day honoied and respected by all. 
not alone because of his success but also by reason 
of the straightforward methods that he has eve.- 
followed. 



TOHN H. CUTTING. 



In this enlightened age when men of industry 
and enterprise are constantly pushing their way 
to the front those who have gained success may 
properly claim recognition, and such a one is 
John H. Cutting, who is connected with various 
mercantile enterprises in different towns of 
Michigan and is a member of the firm of Cutting, 
Reyer & Company, of Ann Arbor. He was born 
in Haverhill, New Hampshire, in 1854. His 
father, John W. Cutting, also a native of that 
state, died in 1894, at the age of seventy-four 
years and six months. He married Eliza S. 
Woodbury, also a native of the old Granite state, 
and her death occurred in 1905, when she liad 
reached the advanced age of eighty-one years. 
In their family were three children, of whom two 
are living, Mrs. Helen Davis of Wentworth, New 
Hampshire, and John H. The father followed 
farming throughout his entire life and always 
maintained his residence in his native state. 

John H. Cutting remained at the place of his 
nativity until twelve and a half years of age. 
when he began earning his living by clerking in 
a general store at Woodsville. New Hampshire, 
where he continued for nine years. During that 
time he also attended Bradford Academy in 
Bradford, Vermont. When his nine years' service 
as a salesman had expired he formed a partner- 
ship under the firm style of Pike & Cutting and 
thus carried on merchandising interests on his 
own account at Woodsville. After two vears Mr. 
Pike sold out to his nephew and the firm of 



Cutting & Smith was then organized and sub- 
sequently Mr. Cutting continued the business 
alone after about two years. He then sold his 
store in New Hampshire, and removed to Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts, where he became a salesman 
for the firm of Bowe, Daniels & Goss, wholesale 
dealers and jobbers of ready-made clothing, for 
whom he traveled through Ohio and Michigan. 
He was with that house through the different 
changes in the firm for a number of years, at 
the end of which time he formed a partnership 
under the firm style of Smith, Chase & Cutting, 
in Boston, Massachusetts, but continued to cover 
his territory as a traveling salesman as he liad 
hitherto done. Eventually, however, he disposed 
of his interests there and became a representa- 
tive in Ohio and Michigan of the Miner & Beale 
Clothing Company, of Boston, with which he con- 
tinues to the present time, having through his 
integrity, business capacity and close application 
built up a large business that is now quite mam- 
moth in its proportions. Within this territory 
he has also become interested in several clothing 
concerns at different points over the state and is 
now financially connected with various mercantile 
enterprises. 

Mr. Cutting has been very successful in his 
business operations and has made his home in 
Ann .\rbor for the last seventeen years. In 1890 
he erected his first residence at No. 608 Monroe 
street, which he and his family occupied for five 
years. On selling that property they boarded 
until he could complete another home at 1520 
Hill street, where they lived for four years, when 
he sold that residence with the intention of re- 
turning to Boston but did not do so. During the 
following four years the family lived in a rented 
house but in 1904 Mr. Cutting built a fine resi- 
dence on Tappan street, where the family now 
reside. He is the pioneer in the construction of 
a modern apartment house in Ann Arbor, having 
erected a large three story apartment house with 
a raised basement at the corner of South State 
and Monroe streets, being the first of the kind 
in the cit}'. It is a brick with stone facings and 
contains nineteen suites, with a fine cafe, the 
latter being equipped and furnished in modern 
stvle. There are also two sets of offices and the 



208 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



building is modern lliroughout, with all the 
latest improvements and equipments known at 
the present day of advanced architectural per- 
fection. Mr. Cutting displayed quick foresight 
in the erection of this building for it has proven 
a profitable enterprise. 

In 1876, in Bath, New Hampshire, occurred 
the marriage of John H. Cutting and Miss Fannie 
K. Southard, who was born in that city, and is 
a daughter of William and Ann (Barron) South- 
ard. Prior to coming to ^^nn Arbor Mr. and 
Mrs. Cutting lived in Detroit for nine years and 
while there tw^o of their children were born : 
Southard I., who was born February 16, 1885, 
and is now a senior in the law department of the 
University of Michigan ; and Kathleen, who was 
born September 21. 1886, and is also attending the 
university. John H., Jr.. born July 23, 1893, 
is deceased. 

Mr. Cutting belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
in which he has attained the Knight Templar de- 
gree of the Scottish rite ; and he is also a member 
of the IMystic Shrine, of Detroit. His politi- 
cal alliance is given to the democracy but he has 
neither time nor inclination for public office, his 
energies being concentrated upon his business 
interests. His path is not strewn with the wreck 
of other men's fortunes and yet he is to-day re- 
graded as one of the prominent business men of 
the state, having extensive interests, his labors 
proving of value in various communities as well 
as a source of individual profit. 



EDWARD T. RYAN. 

The real upbuilders and promoters of a cit}' 
are not those who control the city government 
or its institutions but are the founders of its 
business enterprises, contributing to its material 
improvement through industrial and commercial 
interests. In this connection Mr. Ryan is de- 
serving of representation in a record of the past 
and present of Ann Arbor, for during sixteen 
years he has been successfully eng-aged in the 
sheet metal and tinsmith business. He is, more- 
over, one of the young business men of the city, 



possessing as dominant qualities the enterprise 
and progressive spirit which have been elements 
in the rapid growth of the middle west. 

.\ native son of Ann Arbor, Mr. Ryan was 
Ix^rn April i. 1871. His father, Patrick Ryan, 
became one of the early settlers of Washtenaw 
county and w'as well known in business circles 
and public life here, wielding a wide influence in 
molding public thought and action, the weight of 
his opinions being given in support of many pro- 
gressive measures. He married Mrs. Johanna 
(McCarthy) Ryan, a native of Ireland, who had 
four children by her first marriage: Hannah, the 
wife of Thomas Taylor, of this city ; James, de- 
ceased ; Elizabeth, who is connected with St. 
^'incent's convent in Cleveland, Ohio ; and Mary, 
the wife of P. Finn, of Chicago. The children 
of the second marriage are : Michael and John, 
who are living in Ann Arbor ; Timothy, a resi- 
dent of Jackson, ^lichignn ; Margaret, the wife 
of William Lourin. of Ann Arbor; Frank, of this 
city ; and Edward T. 

At the age of seven years Edward T. Ryan 
entered St. Thomas parochial school and when 
fourteen became a student in the public schools, 
passing through consecutive grades until he had 
acquired a knowledge of the English branches 
of learning that well equipped him for the dis- 
charge of the practical and responsible duties of 
business life. His business career has also been 
characterized b\^ consecutive advancement and 
has come in recognition of his earnest labor, 
close application and determined purpose and 
now for sixteen years he has been engaged in 
the sheet metal business, having for two years 
occupied a fine store at No. 115 Main street, 
north, opposite the courthouse. His patronage 
has continually increased initil the volume of 
business annuall}- transacted over his counters 
represents a large figure. 

In 1894 occurred the marriage of Edward T. 
Ryan and Miss Frances Fluer, of Jackson, 
Michigan. Their home has been blessed with 
three children : Philip, Francis and Helen, aged 
respectfully six, three and one years. Air. Ryan 
is connected with the Modem Woodmen of 
America and with the Knights of Columbus, 
while in religious faith he is a Catholic. His 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



209 



political belief accords with deinocratic principles 
and he is serving- as supervisor of the third ward 
of Ann Arlxir. In political thought and action 
he has always been independent, carrying out his 
honest views without fear or favor. In business 
he has achieved success through honorable effort, 
untiring industry and capable management, and 
in private life he has gained that warm personal 
regard which arises from deference for the 
opinions of others, kindness and geniality. 



COXRAD NOLL. 



Conrad Xoll is well deserving of mention in 
the history of Washtenaw- county by reason of 
the fact that he has been connected with mercan- 
tile circles in Ann Arbor for almost a half cen- 
tury and throughout this entire period has main- 
tained an unassailable reputation for business in- 
tegrity and enterprise. He was born in Germany 
February 20, 1836. His parents were George 
and Margaret (Krapf) Noll, who were likewise 
natives of that country, in which the father car- 
ried on merchandising, prospering in his business 
undertakings. P>oth parents, however, have long 
since passed away. 

At the usual age Conrad Noll entered the pub- 
lic schools, acquiring therein the knowledge that 
equipped him for the practical duties of life. In- 
terested in the reports which he heard and read 
concerning America and its business opportuni- 
ties, he resolved to seek his fortune in the new 
world and, bidding adieu to friends and native 
land, he sailed for this country when twenty 
years of age. Making his way at once to Michi- 
gan, he settled in Ann Arbor in 1856. Here he 
entered into the shoe business, in which he is 
still actively engaged. He possesses untiring en- 
ergy, is quick of perception, forms his plans 
readily and is determined in their execution, and 
the secret of his prosperity lies probably in the 
fact of his strict adherence to a definite plan of 
action. The only time in which he has relin- 
quished his business cares was when in response 
to his country's call for troops he offered his 
service to the Union army and became a member 



of the Twentieth Michigan Regiment, which was 
assigned to the Ninth .\rmy Cor]«. He did ac- 
tive and valuable service under General Ambrose 
I'.urnside and was the recipient of a medal of 
honor in recognition of gallant service. For six 
years he carried a rebel bullet in his bo(l\', having 
been wounded at the battle of the Mine Explosion 
before Petersburg, \'irginia, July 30, 1864. He 
participated in many important engagements and 
thoroughl}- understands from actual experience 
all about the horrors and rigors of war, its hard- 
ships and its dangers. 

In 1870 Mr. Noll was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Wicke, a native of Germany, and they have 
two daughters and a son : Annie Eliza, Lena Lou- 
isa and Edwin C. Theirs is a beautiful home on 
Second street, justly celebrated for its warm- 
hearted hospitality freely accorded to their many 
friends. They are members of the Zion Lu- 
theran church of .\im Arbor. One of the distin- 
guishing characteristics of Mr. Noll is his schol- 
arly taste, for throughout his entire life he has 
been an inveterate reader and student, a course 
of life which is reflected in his fine command of 
language and his intimate acquaintance with all 
the leading questions of the day. He is a man of 
strict business integrity, of genial disposition 
and pleasing manner and is held in the highest 
respect by all. while Ann Arbor acknowledges 
her indebtedness to him for his co-operation in 
business and public affairs that have contributed 
to her substantial progress. 



OLI\"ER H. WESTFALL. 

( )Iiver H. Westfall, jirojarietor of a large livery 
and transfer business in Ypsilanti, is numbered 
among the worthy citizens that the Empire state 
has furnished to Washtenaw county. His birth 
occurred in Ontario count)', New York, on the 
14th of February, 1844. His father was Lewis 
\\'estfall, also a native of that county, born on 
the 15th of December, 1810. Throughout his 
entire business life he devoted his time and en- 
ergies to agricultural pursuits, continuing the ac- 
tive work of the farm until ten years prior to 



2IO 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



liis clcath. wlu-n he retired and in the enjo_\inent 
of well earned ease spent the succeeding decade. 
He passed away November 26, 1896, at the age 
of seventy-six years. His wnfe, who bore the 
maiden name of Catherine Glimpse, was a native 
of New Jersey, born in 1809 and died in 1895. 
In their family were seven children, six of whom 
are living, as follows : Sarah A., now the wife of 
Lafayette Burch ; Giarles, a farmer residing near 
Belkville ; Orsmi. a retired capitalist of Canton 
township. Washtenaw- county ; Mrs. Jane Everett, 
of Fair Grove, ]\Iichigan, whose husband is an 
extensive farmer and capitalist: Oliver H., of 
this review: and ]\Irs. Ella King, a widow living 
in Plymouth, [Michigan. The deceased member 
of the family was William Westfall, who was a 
farmer. 

Oliver H. Westfall attended school in New 
York city for seven or eight years and afterward 
completed his eilucation in Plymouth. Michigan, 
following the removal of the familv to that place. 
It was in the year i860 that the father came to 
this state, settling upon a farm and to the work 
of the fields ;\lr. Westfall of this review devoted 
his energies until nineteen years of age. when he 
entered the Union army in response to the call 
for volunteers, enlisting as a member of Companv 
A, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, in which he 
served as corporal. He proved a brave and loval 
soldier, ever faithfully discharging his dutv 
whether on the firing line or the lonely picket 
line. He has had a very active and varied busi- 
ness experience, ilevoting his attention to sundrv 
lines of merchandising until about fourteen years 
ago, when he came to Ypsilanti and established a 
large livery and transfer business, which he has 
since conducted. He is today the leading livery- 
man of this city, having a splendid equipment of 
fine carriages and horses and a liberal patronage, 
which is accorded him in recognition of his earn- 
est desire to please his patrons and his straight- 
forward business dealings. His barn, which is 
an immense brick building, is located at No. 15 
South Washington street. 

Mr. Westfall has been married twice. On the 
1 2th of July, 1868, he wedded :\Iiss Eliza Gillis- 
pie, of Canton township, Wayne county, and they 
became the parents of two children. Clarence, 



whii was born February 18, i8()9, attended 
school in Plymouth, Michigan, and was afterward 
a student in the Cleary Business College of Ypsi- 
lanti. He has been engaged in various lines of 
business in Jackson and other towns in Michi- 
gan and for some years has acted as traveling 
salesman for the Scotton Tobacco Company. He 
is a trustee and leading member of Queen City 
lodge. No. 167. K. P. He married Miss Ida 
\'anHorn. a native of Trenton, Michigan, and 
they have two children. Oliver and Margaret, 
agetl respectively eight and four years. The 
(laughter, Jennie Westfall, became the wife of 
Fred AMieeler, of Salem, Washtenaw county, who 
is now proprietor of a large general store in 
Salem. 

In 1893 ■Mr. ^^\■■stfall was again married, his 
second union being with Antoinette Crane, of 
Clifton Springs, New York. In his political faith 
Mr. Westfall is a democrat and has filled the of- 
fices of poor conmiissioner and chief of police in 
Ypsilanti. His religious belief is indicated by 
his membership in the ^lethctlist church. In 
his business career he has made consecutive prog- 
ress because he has worked diligently and per- 
severingly, realizing that labor is the basis of all 
success. 



GEORGE VALENTl.XE. 

George \'alentine, who is engaged in general 
agricultural pursuits in Manchester township, 
was born in this township, September 3. 1838. 
His father, Frederick \'alentine, was born in Sar- 
atoga county, Xew York. June 18. 1810, and was 
of Scotch and German lineage. By occupation 
he was a farmer, devoting his entire life to agri- 
cultural pursuits. In 1833 he came to Michigan 
with his father, Frederick \'alentine, Sr. The 
mother's death had occurred in May of that year. 
After reaching his destination, Frederick ^'alen- 
tine, Sr., entered from the government a half sec- 
tion of land on sections 33 and 34. Manchester 
township, and there he became successfully and 
extensively engaged in farming. His son. Fred- 
erick, was likewise a leading agriculturist, who 





MR. AND MRS. GEORGE VALENTINE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



213 



carried on farm work on an extensive scale. His 
political sup])ort was given to the republican 
part\-. and he held membership in the Masonic 
fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal church. 
He wedded Miss Abijjail Bivens. who was born 
in Connecticut, July 14. 1819. and was a daugh- 
ter of Moses Rivens. and a descendant of New 
England ancestry. ]\Irs. \'alentine likewise be- 
longed to the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church, and 
its teachings bore fruit in her upright life. kindl\ 
spirit and helpful nature. She died .\ugust 4. 
1858, and was long survived by her husband, who 
passed away in 1897. They were the parents of 
four children : George ; .\ugustus A., who died 
in 1855 : Irene : and Celia Ann, who married 
Spencer M. Case and died in 1883. 

In taking up the personal history of (leorge 
\ alentine we present to our readers the life rec- 
ord of one widely known in Washtenaw county. 
because of his long residence here. He was reared 
upon the old home farm, attended the district 
schools in his youth, and also had plenty of work 
to do in connection with the tilling of the soil and 
the care of the stock. In fact, he soon had to 
put aside his text-books in order to assist in the 
farm labor. His entire life has been devoted to 
the work of the agriculturist, ami he now lives on 
section 16, Manchester townshij), where he owns 
and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
while on section 2 of the same township he has 
twenty acres. His farm is well improved, the 
fields being richly cultivated, and everything 
about tlie ])lace is indicative of the careful super- 
vision of the owner. 

Mr. ^'alentine was married in 1 871 to Miss 
.Knn Jane Tuthill. who was born in the village 
of Manchester in 1848. her parents being George 
and Jane Tuthill. the former a farmer who came 
from Orange county. New York, to Michigan. In 
his family were seven children ; Horace, a 
farmer now residing in Dakota : .\lfred, a resi- 
dent of Manchester township : Ida, the wife of 
Charles Coon, also a farmer of Manchester town- 
ship : .\lta. the wife of Horace E. Bowen. a to- 
bacconist of Clinton. Michigan : Nettie, the wife 
of Jay Corey, a grocer of Pontiac. Michigan ; 
Frank; and Mrs. Valentine. Unto our subject 
and his wife have been born five children : Kittie : 



Frederick G.. who is living in Leslie. Michigan; 
Chester A., at home ; Ray ; and Clyde, deceased. 
Mr. N'alentine votes with the republican party, 
to which he has given his support since attaining 
his majority. Political honors or emoluments, 
however, Iiave no attraction for him, as he pre- 
fers to give his undivided attention to his busi- 
ness interests, and his farm is to-day the visible 
evidence of his life of enterjirise and unremitting 
diligence. 



ANDREW JACKSON SA\YYER. Jr. 

Andrew Jackson Sawyer, Jr., prosecuting at- 
torney of Washtenaw county, is a native son of 
.\nn .\rbor, where his birth occurred on the i8th 
of lanuarv, 1876. He is a son and namesake of 
Andrew J. Sawver. a prominent lawyer of the 
Ann Arbor bar and the senior member of the 
firm of Saw>-er & Son. Having mastered the 
elementary branches of learning as taught in the 
lower grades of the public schools, he continued 
his studies in Ann Arbor high school, from 
which he was graduated with the class of 1895. 
With an excellent literary knowledge to serve as 
the foundation upon which to rear the super- 
structure of professional learning, having com- 
pleted a course in the literary department of the 
University of Michigan in 1S98, he took up the 
study of law and was graduated in 1899. He 
was then admitted to the bar and has since been 
his father's partner. In the fall of 1904 he was 
elected prosecuting attorney by a majority of 
seventeen bunded and forty-five. He made a 
strong and thorough canvass and in so doing 
drove a distance of seven hundred and eighty- 
eight miles in visiting various townships in the 
county. He has proven a capable officer and is 
regarded as one of the rising young lawyers at 
the Washtenaw count}- bar. He is a republican 
in politics, interested in political questions and 
issues and is numberefl auKjng the earnest work- 
ers for the party. 

In 1898. in Stock-bridge, ^klichigan, Mr. Saw- 
yer was married to Miss Lulu Rose, a daughter 
of E. S. Rose, of that place, and they now have a 



214 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



daughter and a son : Irene Hope, who was born 
in Ann Arbor in 1902; and Richard Watkins, 
born in 1905. ;\Ir. Sawyer is identified with the 
Elks lodge, the Royal Arcanum and the Masonic 
fraternity and in the last named has taken high 
rank, being a representative not only of the lodge 
but also capitular and chivalric Masonry. He 
likewise belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star 
and is a worthy examplar of the craft. Since the 
organization of the seventh ward in Ann Arbor 
he has been a member of the ward committee 
for the republican party and also of the county 
committee and at a recent date was chosen secre- 
tary of the citv committee. 



CHARLES GAUNTLETT. 

Charles: Gauntlett was born upon a farm in 
York township about a mile northwest of the 
village of Milan, on the 7th of August, 1853. His 
father, James Gauntlett, was a native of London, 
England, and carried on merchandising in the 
world's metropolis for several years. He was 
born on Christmas day of 181 1 and was there- 
fore in his thirty-fifth year when in 1846 he 
came to York township, Washtenaw countv, 
i\Iichigan, He was one of the two men in the 
township who voted for the whig ticket in the 
early '50s. He turned his attention to agricul- 
tural pursuits and also engaged in general mer- 
chandising in the village of Milan for many years, 
being a most enterprising business man, of keen 
discernment and unHagging industry-Ciualities 
which insured his success. He was always a 
stanch republican from the organization of the 
party and served as justice of the peace in York 
township for several terms, discharging his du- 
ties with a fairness and impartiality that won him 
high encomiums from the public. He had a wide 
and favorable acquaintance throughout Washte- 
naw and Monroe counties and his efforts in be- 
half of public progress along many lines were 
far-reaching and beneficial. He was the prime 
mover in raising the funds for the building of 
Union church — the first religious edifice erected 
in the village of I\Iilan. He was also school di- 



rector for several years and the cause of educa- 
tion found in him a warm friend, for he labored 
assiduously to promote its standard. His death 
occurred in the village of Milan, June 11, 1889. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary 
Wilkins, was also a native of London, England, 
born December 3, 1812, and she gave her hand 
in marriage to Mr. Gauntlett in Lambeth church 
in their native city, August 19, 1832. She died 
upon the home farm in York township in 1854 
when their son Charles was only a year old. 
Three sons of the family were soldiers of the 
Civil war and Charles also wished to enlist but 
was too young. 

Being one of a large family he was early 
thrown upon his own resources and with many 
difficulties and privations pursued his studies in 
the district schools of the home neighborhood 
and in the Union school of York township. Dur- 
ing periods of vacation he assisted in the farm 
work and at the age of twenty-one years he en- 
tered mercantile life on his own account with 
little capital and much credit, establishing a boot 
and shoe store in Milan, which he conducted con- 
tinuously for eighteen years with the exception 
of a period of two years, which he spent in .\nn 
.^rbor in the employ of Henry Krause and one 
year in Detroit, where he founded the Queen 
Quality store of that city. On selling out there 
he returned to Milan, his family having remained 
there during his absence. In his mercantile life 
he has met with a creditable measure of success, 
his business constantly growing owing to his 
careful management and honorable principles. 

Mr. Gauntlett has always been a great lover 
of fine horses and for some years maintained a 
stable of high quality. One of his horses. Hazel 
Ridge, won the first prize at the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition in Chicago, being one of the fin- 
est specimens of the noble steed that America 
has ever produced. He has had a most success- 
ful career as the owner of fine trotting stock. He 
has always driven his own horses and has sus- 
taineil an unblemished reputation on the turf, 
never being connected with any underhand deal. 
He gradually withdrew from the turf, however, 
selling his stable, his last trotter being sold in the 
summer of T903. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



215 



On the 28th of August, 1876, Mr. Gauntlett 
was married to Miss Jennie Bunce, a daughter of 
John and Dorcas Bunce, of London township, 
Monroe county. They have one daughter, Lily 
Cecile, who was born August 19, 1883, and is a 
graduate of the Ann Arbor high school and also 
of tlie State University of Michigan, having com- 
pleted the literar}- course, while at the pesent 
time she is instructor in Latin in the Central 
high school in Adrian, Michigan. 

In politics Mr. Gauntlett has ever been a stal- 
wart republican and has served almost continu- 
ously as committeeman from York township to 
the county conventions. He was the youngest 
member of the first council of Milan when the 
village was incorporated and he has been repeat- 
edly elected to this office to the present time. 
In March, 1903, he was chosen president of the 
village and was re-elected in 1904 but refused 
to accept further honors of that character. His 
co-operation in behalf of public progress has been 
far-reaching and beneficial and both in and out of 
office he has labored eftectively for the general 
good. He was one of the original subscribers to 
the fund that was raised for the opening of the 
Toledo and Ann Arbor Railroad and he has been 
a leading figure in advancing other enterprises 
for the development of the village of Milan. He 
has been a member of the Odd Fellows since 
twenty-one years of age and is also a member of 
the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the under- 
lying principles of these organizations liave 
fovmd exemplification in his life, for he is a friend 
to all who are in need or who seek his assist- 
ance, using his powers as far as possible to ameli- 
orate hard conditions of life and to advance in- 
tellectual, political, material and social progress. 



HER]\L\N W. PIPP. 



The beauty and attractiveness of Ann Arbor 
have been greatly enhanced through the efforts 
of Herman W. Pipp, who as architect has fur- 
nished plans for the construction of many of the 
finest business blocks, public buildings and resi- 



dences of this city. He was born in Brighton, 
Livingston county, Michigan, January i, 1872. 
His father, William Pipp, was an architect 
and builder of Brighton, who also extended 
his business operations to Howell, Mich- 
igan , and was equally well known in 
both places, his interests reaching c o n - 
siderable volume. He married Elizabeth Schmid. 
a representative of one of the old fami- 
lies of Livingston county. His death occurred in 
the year 1891 but his widow still survives and 
}-et makes her home in Brighton. In their family 
were eight children : Louise, now deceased ; Min- 
nie, who is living in Howell, Michigan ; Henry 
a contractor of Ann Arbor; William F., who is 
foreman of the New York Condensed Milk Com- 
pany conducting business at Howell : Fred, who 
is engaged in merchandising at Howell ; Mrs. 
Matilda Case, who is living in Brighton ; and 
Elizabeth, deceased. 

In his early youth Herman W. Pipp began 
his education in the public schools of Brighton, 
where he continued his studies until he had passed 
through the successive grades of the grammar 
and high schools. Following his graduation he 
entered into business with his father, under whose 
wise and able direction he gained a comprehen- 
sive and practical knowledge of the laws govern- 
ing architecture and building operations. Seek- 
ing a broader field of labor he removed to Ann 
Arbor in 1891. He was not at that time entirely 
unknown to its citizens in the line of his chosen 
profession and it was not long before his supe- 
rior skill and ability were demonstrated in some 
of the fine structures here. Thus showing his 
handiwork to the residents of Ann Arbor he won 
a gradually increasing patronage until he is to- 
day numbered among the leading architects of 
the city, having planned a vast number of the 
most substantial business blocks and leading resi- 
dences here. Beauty and durability are cliarac- 
teristics of the plans and his labors have indeed 
in large measure been a factor in the adornment 
of Ann Arbor. That his business has reached 
very extensive proportions is indicated by the 
fact that he utilizes for offices two large floors of 
a handsome business block at No. 118 Washing- 
ton street, west. Outside of his interests in Ann 



2l6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Arbor he is also extensively connocti'd w itli in- 
vestments in the Texas oil tieUls. 

In 1895 Mr. Pipp was married to Miss Cath- 
erine Irwin at Ann Arbor and they now have a 
daughter, Marie, eight years of age. His relig- 
ious faith is that of the Catholic church and in 
his political views he is independent. The suc- 
cess of his life is due to no inherited fortune or 
to any happy succession of advantageous cir- 
cumstances but to his own sturdy will, steady ap- 
plication, studious habits, tireless industry and 
sterlino; integritv. 



G. FRANK Al.i..MF.\ni\(;i<:R. 

Many departments of business acti\it\ have 
felt the stimulus of the co-operation and wise 
counsel of G. Frank .\llmendinger. the secretarx 
and treasurer of the ^lichigan Milling Com]iany, 
one of the organizers of the Ann Arbor ( )rgan 
Company and a director of the Farmers and Me- 
chanics Bank of Ann .\rbor. His labor has 
given impetus to these various business interests, 
which have proven profitable noi alone to the in- 
dividual stockholder but to the city at large 
through the promotion of commercial and indus- 
trial activity. 

Mr. .Allmendmger was born in lUiffalo, Xew 
York, in 1855, his parents being Charles 1". and 
Fanny ( DellenbauglO Allmendinger. The father 
was born in W'aiblingen near Stuttgart, ^^"urtenl- 
berg, Germany. January 16, 1825, and came to 
America in 1832 with his father, John G. .All- 
mendinger. The latter married Elizabeth C. 
Ilge. Charles F. .Allmendinger was reared to 
manhood in .Ann .Arbor and afterward went to 
Buffalo, Xew York, where he spent the remainder 
of his life with the exception of three years' serv- 
ice in Sherman's army during the Civil war. His 
death occurred in BulTalo in ^larch. i8go. His 
wife died when their son, G. Frank .Allmendinger. 
was only a few months old and he is the onl\ rc])- 
resentative of their family living in this state. 

Following his mother's death and while xet an 
infant the subject of this review was sent to Mich- 
igan, where he was reared by his grandjirirents. 



making his home with them imtil their death. He 
afterward lived with his aunt. .Mrs. .Mar\ E. 
I'ischer. the sister of his father, and remained 
with her until ;ifter he had attained his majority, 
lie was etlucated in .\nn .Arbor and attended the 
Cniversity of Miciiigan. He graduated with the 
class of 1S78. receiving the degree of ei\-il en- 
gineer, but w as unable to make a life work of his 
chosen ])rofession because engineering work of all 
kinds was still nearly at a standstill as a result of 
the panic of 1873. His knowledge of engineering 
has. however, jiroved of constant service in the 
work of constructing and equipping the various 
plants in which he has been interested. For four 
years after his graduation Mr. .Allmendinger was 
engaged in farming near .\nn .Arbor. In 1S82 he 
became a member of the firm of R. K. .Ailes & 
Company, conducting the Central Flouring Mill, 
which was located on South First street. Two 
years later Mr. .\iles retired and the firm became 
.Mlmendinger il- Scimeider. In 1885 this firm es- 
tablished the .Ann .Vrbor Fruit Works, the prede- 
cessor of the .Ann .Arbor Fruit & Mnegar Coin- 
pan\ . and in 1892 they became interested in the 
-Ann Arbor Milling Company. In 1900 the Cen- 
tral Milling Company and the Ann Arbor Com- 
pany together with others engaged in the same 
line of business consolidated their interests, or- 
ganizing the Michigan Milling Company, con- 
trolling all of the jiroperties which had before 
been owned by individuals or the firms desig- 
nated. ( U" the newly organized corporation Mr. 
.Allmendinger became secretary and treasurer, 
which has since been his association with the busi- 
ness that from the beginning reached extensive 
projuirtions. He was also one of the organizers 
of the -Ann .Arbor Organ Company, his cottsin, D. 
F. -Allmendinger, the jiresent superintendent, be- 
ing the prime mover in this enterprise. Our sub- 
ject is likewise a director of the Farmers and Me- 
chanics Bank of .Ann .Arbor and in 1899 and 1900 
he was the president of the State Millers' .Associa- 
tion, while for the past five years he has been the 
president of the State Bean Jobbers' .Association. 
Prominent in political circles in Washtenaw 
eount\-. Mr. .\llmendinger gives support to the 
reiniblican party. He was a member of the city 
council from the first ward for four vears and de- 




G. F. ALLMENDINGER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



219 



feated for mayor by a vote of only two when the 
city give a strong majority to the opposing party. 
He was also a candidate for the legislature but 
was defeated, and he was twice elected from the 
seventh ward to the position of county supervisor. 
During his term of service in the council he was a 
member of the committee which prepared a new 
charter for the city, making possible many im- 
provements impossible before. Electric lighting 
was established and the plans for the sewerage 
system adopted. The lawn extensions which have 
so beautified the city were inaugurated and the 
beginning of a park system made in the boulevard 
and Felch park. Mr. Allmendinger led the fight 
against the attempt made by private interests for 
the possession of Felch park and probably saved 
this ground to the city. 

He was elected county supervisor for the ex- 
l)ress purpose of attacking certain bills though op- 
])osed by the men of his own party interested in 
them. He was sued for five thousand dollars 
damages for libel by an official, one of whose bills 
was assailed, the suit being dropped, however, be- 
fore coming to trial. The suit was but an inci- 
dent following the fight against the machine rule 
which at that time existed in Washtenaw countv, 
and it may be added that the bill was not allowed 
in full nor was any retraction or apology made by 
the subject of this sketch. As an endorsement of 
his course his ward returned him to the board the 
following year without opposition. He has for 
the last twelve years been active in city and 
county afifairs, is strongly opposed to misrule and 
is an advocate of honest politics everywhere. 

Mr. Allmendinger has been a member of the 
board of directors of the University School of 
Music and chairman of its finance committee 
since its inception in 1892. He holds a similar 
])osition on the governing body of the Students' 
Christian Association of the University of Michi- 
gan. He is one of the trustees of the Congrega- 
tional church and has been identified with various 
iither organizations. 

Mr. Allmendinger makes his home with his 
aunt, Elizabeth C. Allmendinger, who is the old- 
est living representative, but one of this family, 
prominent in the pioneer history of the county 
and the only survivor of a large family of broth- 



ers and sisters. She was born in Ann Arbor in 
1837 and this city has been her home. For two 
years after the Civil war she was a teacher of 
freedmen in the south. She later became in- 
structor in botany in the Ann Arbor high school, 
and under the direction of Professor M. W. 
Harrington of the University of Michigan, she 
assisted in the arrangement of the university her- 
barium. Her list of flora of Waslitenaw county 
was published in 1881 and embraced three hun- 
dred and eighty-one genera and eight hundred 
and fifty species. This indicates a wonderful vari- 
ety of plants in this county. Dr. Asa Grav in his 
botany of the northern states gives one hundred 
and thirt\- orders. In Washtenaw county one 
hundred and one are represented, leaving only 
twenty-nine without representation. 

Miss Allmendinger has been connected with 
the Congregational church for many years, and 
is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. At 
the time of the Civil war she was very active in 
preparing supplies for the sick and wounded, 
and has been a most worthy woman, whose life 
has been a helpful one and who has thereby en- 
deared herself to manv friends. 



RUSSELL C. REE\"E. 

Russell C. Reeve, a retired farmer and stock- 
raiser at one time closely connected with the agri- 
cultural interests of Washtenaw county but now 
living in well earned ease at his pleasant home 
in Dexter, was born in ^\'ebster, this county, 
June 14, 1842. He is a son of Philip and Jerusha 
M. (Cooley) Reeve, the former a native of the 
Empire state and the latter of Massachusetts. In 
the \ear 1833 the father came to this county and 
purchased from the government five hundred 
acres of timber land and about one hundred acres 
of open land. He first built a frame house, 
which was considered a fine residence for that 
day and as a pioneer settler took an active and 
helpful part in the development of Washtenaw 
county. He did much toward clearing the land 
and reclaiming it for cultivable purposes and his 
name is inseparably interwoven with the early 



220 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



progress and improvement of this portion of the 
state. He married Miss Jerusha M. Cooley, who 
was born in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, No- 
vember lo, 1810, and was descended from Puri- 
tan ancestry, her parents being Russell and Bet- 
sey Cooley. After the death of her mother she 
left her old home at the age of fifteen years and 
came with her father to Michigan, settling in 
the midst of a wild western district, in which 
many hardships were to be met and many dif- 
ficulties overcome. She seemed to inherit the 
spirit of devotion, faith and love so character- 
istic of the New England Puritans and she 
brought with her to her new home in the wil- 
derness an unshakable faith in God and his 
promises. She with two other women was the 
first to organize prayer meetings in this locality. 
In the forest they met from time to time and 
later the religious services were held in a barn, 
while nine years afterward the church was com- 
pleted and thus the good seed, sown by those 
noble pioneer women, bore fruit. In 1840 
Jerusha M. Cooley gave her hand in marriage to 
Philip Reeve and she proved an ideal wife and 
mother. She had a ready sympathy and a kindly 
spirit, was quickly moved by any tale of distress 
and she gave her best aid for the alleviation of 
such. Hers was one of those lives that carry 
with them the beauty of saintliness and holiness. 
Meek and gentle, she found and made life sweet 
for herself and by her charity and love for all 
brought pure religion to fruition. She never 
ceased to take a most helpful part in the work of 
the church but grew in her devotion to the cause 
of religion as the years passed. Mr. Reeve passed 
away on the 7th of January, 1876, while his wife 
survived until December, 1893. Thus were called 
to the home beyond two of the most worthy pio- 
neer people who have been connected with the 
early development of this part of the state, for 
they not only contributed to its material welfare 
but likewise assisted in its intellectual and moral 
progress and their memory remains as a blessed 
benediction to all who knew them. They were 
the parents of two sons and two daughters but 
the daughters have passed away. John W. Reeve, 
a brother of our subject, is now living on Nan- 
tucket Island. 



Russell C. Reeve, the other surviving member 
of the family, was reared to a farm life amid the 
environments of pioneer existence. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools and early became 
familiar with the arduous task of developing new 
land. Soon all the work of the farm was to him 
a matter of actual experience and when he started 
out in life on his own account he was well quali- 
fied for the work which he vmdertook. He be- 
came his father's successor in the ownership of 
the old homestead and there was never a cent 
of mortgage or indebtedness upon this place 
during the long period when it was in possession 
of Philip and Russell C. Reeve. In connection 
with the tilling of the soil Mr. Reeve made a 
business of raising fine cattle and his farm be- 
came noted for the splendid specimens of stock 
which he sold. In all of his farm work he was 
progressive and enterprising, keeping in touch 
with modern ideas of agriculture and making im- 
provements upon his place from time to time 
until the farm was unsurpassed in its fertility, 
its productiveness and in its splendid equip- 
ments. Mr. Reeve continued actively in the work 
of developing the property until April, 1904, 
when he sold out and purchased a fine home in 
Dexter, where he is now living retired. 

Mr. Reeve was married to Miss Man,' Willets, 
who was born in 1846, and they had one child, 
Edith, who died in infancy, while the mother 
passed away soon afterward. Later Mr. Reeve 
married again, his second union being with Miss 
Alice Sill, a daughter of Thomas and Almira 
(Phelps) .Sill, and a native of this county. Her 
father was born in the state of New York and 
came to Michigan in 1828. He was a pioneer 
business man of Dexter, where for many years 
he was known as a commission merchant. He 
contributed largely to the substantial develop- 
ment of the town in early days and his labors 
in his business life brought him a creditable 
measure of prosperity. In 1832 he married Miss 
Almira Phelps, who was born in Enosburg, Ver- 
mont, March 17, 1810, and in 1828 came to 
Michigan. Four years later she gave her hand 
in marriage to Thomas Gillman Still, who died 
in 1842, leaving her a family of small children, 
the eldest being but nine years of age. She con- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



221 



tinned a resident of this locality for sixty years 
and departed this life on the 24th of March, 1892, 
at the age of eighty-two years and seven days, 
this being the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of 
her youngest daughter, Ellen. Her beautiful 
life was a benediction not only to her own family 
but to the church and the community, for dur- 
ing forty years she lived the life of a devoted 
Christian woman, holding membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal church. She had five chil- 
dren, of whom one daughter died in infancy. 
George S., who for many years was a prominent 
business man of Dexter, afterward becoming en- 
gaged in the manufacture of cans at Detroit and 
at times having as many as one hundred em- 
ployes. He retired from business in 1900 with a 
handsome competency and passed away on the 4th 
of June, 1903. at the age of seventy-one years. 
Charles T., who was born in Dexter, November 
29, 1837, was reared in this town and at the age 
of twenty years became a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church. Throughout the greater 
part of his business career his attention was given 
to the hardware trade and as a merchant in that 
line he conducted a store in Wyandotte, Detroit 
and Milan. Eventually he retired from the firm 
of which his son is now the head. He was mar- 
ried in 1862 to Miss Mary Reeve, of Dexter, 
and they had a son and two daughters. He be- 
longed to the Masonic fraternity at Milan and 
his remains were interred under the auspices of 
that lodge, when he passed away on the lOth of 
December, 1903. Ellen M. Sill, who was born 
in Dexter, March 24, 1843, was married June 8, 
1870, to E. Appleton. She was for many years 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
her life was filled with good works, so that her 
death, which occurred January 16, 1885, was 
deeply deplored by the people of Dexter and 
vicinity. 

Mrs. Reeve is the only surviving member of 
the Sill family. By her marriage she became the 
mother of two children : Cora, who is now the 
wife of Will W. Blakeley and is living in De- 
troit; and Willets, who died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Reeve have an attractive home 
in Dexter, which is justly celebrated for its gra- 
cious and pleasing hospitality. Mr. Reeve has 
12 



long been prominent in political circles, voting 
for the best man regardless of party affiliation. 
He has held several local offices and at all times 
is the champion of measures which have for their 
object the welfare of the community. He be- 
longs to Washtenaw lodge. No. 65, A. F. & 
A. M., and both he and his wife are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dexter. 
They are esteemed for their sterling worth and 
are numbered among the worthy pioneers and 
native citizens of this county, where thev have 
spent their entire lives. 



TITUS F. HUTZEL. 

The name of Hutzel has figured for half a cen- 
tury in connection with the business of which 
Titus F. Hutzel is now a representative and 
which he has conducted continuously since 1878. 
His father, August F. Hutzel, came to Ann Ar- 
bor in 1838 and entered business life here as a 
grocer. He likewise became interested in a tan- 
nery established by his father-in-law, Henry 
Mann, and his enterprise and activity contributed 
to the early commercial and industrial progress 
and upbuilding of the city. He was married on 
the 30th of June, 1839, to Miss Sophia Mann, a 
daughter of Henry and Louisa (Haller) Mann, 
who came to Ann Arbor May 20, 1830, having 
made the journey from Detroit with a wagon 
caravan, it requiring three days to complete the 
trip. At that time there were only eighteen or 
twenty houses in Ann Arbor and most of these 
were not plastered. Mr. Mann became almost 
immediately a factor in the growth of the embryo 
city and he purchased a tannery in which he 
ultimately built up a very extensive and profit- 
able business until his years of labor were 
crowned with a period of ease, and in honorable 
retirement from further commercial or industrial 
pursuits he lived in Ann Arbor up to the time 
of his death, which occurred August 18, 1865. 
In the family were three children : Emanuel, de- 
ceased, who was a druggist and member of the 
legislature in 1868; Mrs. Louisa Schmid, de- 
ceased, whose husband was the first German Lu- 



222 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COLXTY 



therau minister in the territory of Michigan ; and 
Mrs. Sophia Hutzel. 

August F. Hutzel, after a happy married life 
of more than a half century, passed away on the 
i8th of September, 1889, his remains being in- 
terred in the Gennan Bethlehem cemetery at Ann 
Arbor. His widow still survives at the age of 
eighty-four years. She is a cultured lady, still 
active, retaining her mental faculties unimpaired. 
She has a wonderfully retentive memory and can 
relate most interesting incidents of the early set- 
tlement of the county when the wilderness was 
unsubdued and the district had scarcely been re- 
claimed from the domain of the red man. She 
was born at Stuttgart, Germany, and in 1824 her 
father came to America, landing at Philadelphia. 
Soon afterward he went to Mexico but returning 
to Penusylvania located at Reading and in 1825 
sent for his femily to join him. They started in 
the spring of 1826, traveling down the Rhine, 
their boat tying up each night, while the passen- 
gers sought shelter in the inn of a neighboring 
village. At Amsterdam the\- had to wait six 
weeks for a packet to Philadelphia and the voy- 
age covered seventy days. For four jears the 
family lived in Reading, Mrs. Hutzel being then 
a little girl. Her father made a prospecting tour 
to Michigan, walking all the way from Reading 
to Buffalo, and being greatly pleased with Ann 
Arbor and Washtenaw count)', returned east for 
his family, and early in the spring of 1830 they 
started for their new home, traveling in the 
primitive manner of the times. Mrs. Hutzel lias 
since lived in this city. Her children and grand- 
children now number sixty and she also has fif- 
teen great-grandchildren. She is a most loved 
member of this now numerous family and as one 
of the venerable and esteemed pioneer ladies of 
Washtenaw county we are pleased to present to 
our readers this brief record of her life. 

In the family of August and Sophia (Mann) 
Hutzel there were fourteen children. Sophia, 
who is living with her mother, is the widow of 
the Rev. C. F. Spring, by whom she had the fol- 
lowing children : Samuel J. is deceased ; Emanuel 
C. is a member of the finn of Hutzel & Com- 
pany ; August F. is now with the Swift Company 
at Detroit; Sophie is the wife of Rev. F. Volz, 



of Saginaw, Michigan ; Mary W. and Victor J. 
are both deceased; Julius T. is a printer of Ce- 
dar Rapids. Iowa ; Herman G. is a druggist at 
Unionville, Michigan; G. Adolph is a minister 
at Bird City, Kansas; Louisa H. is deceased; 
Hannah M. is at home; Clara C. has passed 
away ; Emma P. and Thusnelda M. are still with 
their mother. Pauline, the second child of Mr. 
and ]\Irs. August Hutzel, is now the widow of 
Frederick Wurster, b_\' whom she had twelve 
children, namely: Louise, the widow of Jacob 
Wolpert, by whom she had one son, Jacob, Jr. ; 
Christine Wurster, at home ; August F. and Ma- 
tilda, both deceased ; Ernest M., who married 
Emma Fiegel ; Carl Victor ; Pauline : Johannes 
T., an electrician living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 
Oscar PL, Anna, Albert E. and Henrietta, all at 
home. Marie, the third member of the family 
of August Hutzel, died in childhood. Martha, 
the next younger, married Charles Steinbach, of 
Gielsea, Michigan, and they had seven children ; 
Henry A., who wedded Mary A. Laney and has 
two children, Francis C. and Henry B. ; C. Otto. 
Steinbach, who wedded Maud Wortley and has 
one child, Marion ; A. Charlotte and Helena L. 
Steinbach, both at home; Edgar T. Steinbach, a 
resident of Helena, Montana ; and Emily and Al- 
bert Steinbach. who are still with their mother. 
Louise Hutzel, the fifth member of the family, 
died in 1868. August Herman, a resident of 
Muncie, Indiana, married Pauline Graf and their 
children are: Robert A., who married Lulu Spier 
and is living at Magdeburg, Gennany; Melitha, 
Sophia E., Max H.. Hugo and Victor C, all of 
whom are at home ; and Louise, who was just 
older than Hugo and who is now deceased. Hen- 
rietta Hutzel, the next member of the family of 
August F. Hutzel, is the wife of Eugene K. 
FrueauiT, whose husband is deputy county clerk 
of Washtenaw county, their home being in Ann 
Arbor. Titus Frederick Hutzel, whose name in- 
troduces this record, is the next of the family. 
Johnathan F. Hutzel is deceased. Hannah Hut- 
zel is the wife of Henn- Heim, of Saginaw, Mich- 
igan, who is president of the state board of phar- 
macy. Their children are : Dr. Arthur H. Heim, 
a dentist of Unionville, Michigan ; Wanda C, 
Augusta J. and Henry T., all at home. Char- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



223 



lotte Hutzel is living' with her mother. Carl Vic- 
tor Hutzel is deceased. Two children of the 
family died in infancy. 

Titus F. Hutzel was born in Ann Arbor, Feb- 
ruary 18, 1855, and has spent his entire life in 
the second ward of the city. He is indebted to 
its public school advantasjes for the educational 
privileges he enjoyed and in early manhood he 
embarked in his [present line of business, estab- 
lishing a plumbing plant in 1878 at No. 114 
South Main street. The business, however, has 
been conducted continuously for half a century 
under the Hutzel name. The original firm of 
Hutzel & Company consisted of August F. Hut- 
zel, Christian Eberbach and Emanuel Mann. In 
1878 this firm was dissolved and August F. Hut- 
zel was joined by his sons, .\ugust Herman and 
Titus F. Hutzel under the firm style of Hutzel & 
Company. In 1888 the brothers purchased the 
father's interest and continued the business to- 
gether until 1893, when Titus F. Hutzel pur- 
chased his brother's interest and associated him- 
self with Emanuel C. Spring and Robert Guinner, 
who are now carrying on the business under the 
firm name of Hutzel & Company. The safe, con- 
servative policy inaugurated by its founder has 
always been maintained. The fi'-n- name is a 
synonym for business integrity and activity and 
Mr. Hutzel is recognized as a force in commer- . 
cial circles of this community. He possesses un- 
tiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his 
plans readily and is determined in their execu- 
tion and his close application to business and his 
excellent management have brought to him the 
high degree of prosperity which is today his. 

In 1883 Mr. Hutzel was happily married to 
Miss Emma Brehm. of Ann Arbor, a daughter 
of Peter and Louise (Limbert) Brehm, at Ann 
Arbor. They have five children : Eleanore, 
twenty-one years of age ; August F., eighteen 
years of age; Irma, Ruth and Matilda, aged re- 
spectively fifteen, thirteen and ten years and all 
now in school. 

Mr. Hutzel is prominent in fraternal and pub- 
lic interests in Ann Arbor. He belongs to the 
Masonic lodge and to the local German society 
and is likewise a member of the Bethlehem 
Evangelical church. That he has the entire con- 



fidence and trust of the people among whom he 
has always lived is indicated by the fact that he 
has twice been chosen to represent his ward on 
the board of city aldermen and he is now super- 
intendent of the Ann Arbor Water Company. 
He is a man of attractive personality, of public 
spirit and a leader in business circles of his com- 
nuuiity. Thoroughly interested in whatever 
tends to promote the moral, intellectual and ma- 
terial welfare of Ann Arbor, his popularity is 
well deserved. 



REV. EUGENE ALLEN. 

Rev. Eugene Allen, pastor of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Ypsilanti, is a native of Addi- 
son, Lenawee county, Michigan, born December 
12, 1869, and is a son of Rev. Dr. Charles T. 
and Elnora (Root) Allen, natives of Michigan. 
The father was a Methodist Episcopal clergv- 
nian, and for thirty-six years was connected with 
the Detroit conference, preaching all the time 
within sixty miles of his birth place. For three 
years he rendered active service to the First Mich- 
igan Infantry in the Civil war, and he died Octo- 
ber 12, 1904. He had four brothers, who were 
also soldiers of the Civil war. including Captain 
E. P. Allen, of Ypsilanti. Further mention of 
Rev. Charles T. Allen is given on another page of 
this work. In his family were two son= and a 
daughter: Clarence E., now pastor of the Court 
Street Methodist Episcopal church at Flint, Mich- 
igan : Clara, twin sister of Clarence, and the de- 
ceased wife of William Rostwick, of Ypsilanti; 
and Eugene. 

In the public schools of Detroit and of Pon- 
tiac Rev. Eugene Allen acquired his early edu- 
cation and was graduated from .\lbion College 
in 1895 with the degree of Bachelor of Philoso- 
phy. His first pastoral work was at Watrous- 
ville, Tuscola county, ]Michigan, and he has since 
been located at Birmingham for three years, in 
the Preston church of Detroit for five years and 
since the fall of 1904 at Ypsilanti. While in 
Detroit he was instrumental in the erection of 
a church valued at thirty thousand dollars. His 
work in ^'psilanti has been most commendable 



224 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



and far reaching in its influence. During the 
past year he has added one hundred and forty 
to its membership, and in the year 1905 has made 
repairs upon the church to the vaUie of live thou- 
sand dollars. He is an earnest, forceful speaker, 
and his zeal in behalf of the church is manifested 
by his almost untiring labor for the upbuilding 
of the different church activities and the recla- 
mation of his fellowmen to the lives of righteous- 
ness. Mr. Allen is also the author of a volume 
of one hundred and fifty pages entitled "Abra- 
ham Lincoln," a historical sketch which was pub- 
lished in 1895. He is deeply interested in educa- 
tional and philanthropic work and is now a trus- 
tee of Albion College. He was also one of the 
original members of the board of trustees of the 
Old People's Home of the Detroit conference. 

In 1892 Rev. Allen was married to Miss Min- 
nie McKeand, a daughter of James and Mary 
McKeand, of Pontiac, and they have two inter- 
esting little daughters, Ruth and Mary. With 
a mind that is continually being broadened 
through his reading, study and research, and his 
contact with his fellowmen, already Rev. Allen 
become a strong power for good in Michigan, 
and is recognized as one of the able members 
of the Methodist ministry in the state. 



RICHARD GREEN. 



A splendid type of the self-made man is Rich- 
ard Green, of Manchester township. He came to 
the new world empty-handed and amid unfavor- 
able circumstances began life in Michigan ; but 
through perseverance, adaptability and genuine 
worth worked his way steadily upward until he 
is today one of the substantial, prosperous and 
honored citizens of Washtenaw county. His 
birth occurred in Nottinghamshire, England, in 
the village of Clipstone, near Mansfield, March 
ID, 1822. His father, Richard Green. Sr., was 
born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1782, and was 
a farmer by occupation. He married Sarah Bou- 
skil, who was born in England in 1785, and died 
in that country at the advanced age of seventy- 
seven years. Her brother, Charles Bouskil, 



fought under Wellington in many of his cam- 
paigns, and was with him at the battle of Water- 
loo. Tiiere Mr. Bouskil sustained a severe wound 
but survived his injuries and lived for many 
years, being rewarded by a grateful government 
witn a large pension. When his sister, Mrs. 
Green, visited London, Charles Bouskil, having 
access to many places of importance connected 
with the government, had and embraced the op- 
portunity of taking his sister over dififerent war 
vessels and to various historic places in old Lon- 
don. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Green, Sr., became 
the parents of ten children, all of whom reached 
years of maturity, namely : Susan, now deceased, 
who married James Cobb and came to the United 
States in 1843 • Elizabeth, who married John 
Stothard and is living in England ; George, de- 
ceased ; Sarah, the deceased wife of William 
Blackwell ; Mary, the deceased wife of William 
Terry ; Ann, who married William Fallowell and 
died in England ; Phoebe, the wife of Richard 
Silverwood, of Jackson county, Michigan ; Rob- 
ert, who is a resident of ]\Ianchester township, 
Washtenaw county ; William, who died in Eng- 
land ; and Richard, of this review. 

Richard Green spent his boyhood and youth in 
his native land, and his capability as a husband- 
man was early manifested, for at the age of eigh- 
teen years he won the first prize in a plowing 
match at Olarton. England. He is a man of 
splendid physique, of indomitable courage and 
unfaltering perseverance. He acquired his edu- 
cation in his native locality, and came to America 
in 1843. landing in Quebec on the 28th of June. 
He at once turned his gaze westward, however, 
and upon reaching Detroit, Michigan, set out on 
foot for Manchester. He was already in debt 
six dollars and could not afford the luxury of 
riding. Thus penniless he reached his destina- 
tion, but he at once began seeking work and was 
first employed to cut grass with a scythe, work- 
ing for six shillings per day. Soon, however, he 
hired out for thirteen dollars per month, and dur- 
ing the winter of 1843 and 1844 he cut one hun- 
dred and fifty cords of wood in three months, for 
which he was paid twenty cents per cord. Durinjt 
the next year he again engaged with his former 
employer, working for one hundred and forty 




MRS. AXXA E. GREEN. 




RICHARD GREEX AXD NELLIE \V. SUTTUN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



229 



dollars per year, and following this he took serv- 
ice with Peter Van Winkle for twelve and a half 
dollars per month. Dnring that season he 
cradled forty-five acres of wheat. That his labor 
always gave satisfaction is indicated by the fact 
that he had no tronble in securing employment 
and worked for the same employer the next year. 
Desiring a companion and helpmate for life's 
journey, Mr. Green was married on the 19th of 
August, 1846. to Miss Anna English, a native of 
Kings county. Ireland, born May 23, 1828, and 
a daughter of Richard and Susan (Green) Eng- 
lish, who are mentioned on another page of this 
work. Her father was also born in Kings 
count}-, while County Westmeath, Ireland, was 
the native home of her mother. Mrs. Green was 
but eight vears of age when she came to Michi- 
gan with her parents, with whom she remained 
during her girlhood or untd she gave her hand 
in marriage to Richard Green. The young 
couple located on section 20. Manchester town- 
ship, on a farm of forty acres which Mr. Green 
had just purchased with the money saved from 
his earnings. After a year he began operating 
a farm on siiares at Iron Creek, and was thus 
employed for three years, during which time he 
bought and parti} improved eighty acres of 
land on section 20, where his beautiful home now 
stands. The place at that time bore little re- 
semblance to the ])resent fine farm of today. 
There was a log house into which the young 
couple moved, and which remained their resi- 
dence for nine years. Their present beautiful 
home was erected in 1861 and has since been re- 
modeled and improved in keeping with the spirit 
of modern progress along architectural lines. He 
also has immense barns, all nicely painted and 
kept in exxellent condition of repair. There is 
a tenant house and other buildings upon the place 
and in fact no equi]Mnent of a model farm of the 
twentieth century is lacking. Here Mr. Green 
owns three hundred and fifty acres of rich and 
valuable land, upon which he has resided for 
fifty-four years. For some years, however, he 
has been practically retired from active farm pur- 
suits, although he does some work upon the 
farm, and while the historian was securing ma- 
terial for this sketch ]\Ir. Green was piling up in 



his wood house nine cords of wood which he had 
cut himself. This indicates in no uncertain way 
his splenflid ])hysique. and the fact that his 
powers are as yet largely unimpaired. 

The liberality of ]\Ir. Green is well known in 
Washtenaw county. He is charitable to a marked 
degree, which is evidenced by his many gifts to 
movements and institutions for the ptiblic good. 
He has also made investments in business affairs 
which have contributed in substantial measure 
to the commercial and industrial prosperity of the 
county. He became a stockholder in the Clinton 
Woolen Mills and in the Hillsdale Railroad. He 
assisted in building a parsonage for the Baptist 
church at Manchester at a cost of two thousand 
dollars, of which he donated ten hundred and 
eighty dollars himself. He also gave two hun- 
dred and fifty dollars out of a sum of five hun- 
dred and sixteen dollars necessary to secure a 
bell for the church. For more than a half cen- 
tury he has been a most liberal and generous con-' 
tributor to the support of the church, in which 
he has served as deacon for more than thirty-five 
vears, and from year to year he has given freely 
of his means to the Baptist College at Kalama- 
zoo. He has a life membership in the Bible Union 
Revision Society, and he has to his credit a contri- 
bution of fifty dollars for the endowment of a 
chair of mathematics as a memorial to Edward 
( )lne\-, LL. D., of Kalamazoo. 

As no children blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Green, they adopted two daughters, whom 
they reared as tenderly as though they were their 
own. The elder. Phoebe M.. is the wife of Har- 
mon Clark, and the younger. Georgia Chappie, 
is the wife of George M. Sutton, who now con- 
ducts the farm. 

In 1878 Mr. and Mrs. Green made a trip to 
Knglanfl and Ireland, spending eight months 
abroad, and not only revisiting the scenes of their 
\outh, but also many places of historic, scenic 
and modern interest in (ireat Britain. In 1889 
the\' made the second trip across the ocean, this 
time visiting France on their way to the British 
Isles, and remaining in the old world until 1890. 
Mr. Green is now a well preserved man of 
eightv-four years with unimpaired intellect and 
trood health. His life has indeed been of benefit 



230 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



to his fellowmen, and while he has achieved suc- 
cess that excites the admiration and awakens the 
respect of all who know aught of his history, it is 
his kindly spirit and generous disposition that 
have won for him the deep love and gratitude of 
many. His wife has been associated with him 
in his good work, and in the evening of life they 
are happv in each other's companionship and in 
the friendship of young and old, ricli and poor, 
many of whom have known them through Ioul;' 
\'ears of their residence in ^\'ashtcnaw countv. 



MORTIMER E. COOLEY. 

Mortimer E. Cooley was born in Canandaigua, 
New York, March 28, 1855, and lived on a farm 
until his nineteenth year. His early education 
was secured in a district school and later at the 
Canandaigua Academ}', famed in those days for 
the thoroughness of its work. In the winters of 
1872-3 and 1873-4 he taught a district school, 
the money thus earned serving to pay his tuition 
at the academy. During the fall and spring he 
walked morning and evening to and from the 
academv, distant about three and one half miles 
from his home. This journey was necessarily 
a study hour, as no time was available at liome 
for study. 

In the summer of 1874. in casting about for 
means to further his education, he learned of the 
law providing for the appointment of cadet en- 
gineers at the United States Naval Academy 
on competitive examination. With no assistance 
or without influence of any kind, simply on his 
personal application by letter to the Secretary of 
the Navy, accompanied by a doctor's certificate 
as to physical condition, and a minister's letter as 
to character, he was granted permission to try the 
examinations in Annapolis the following Sep- 
tember. The summer months were devoted to 
preparation in the spare moments available from 
a busy farm life. One subject — physics, or natural 
philosophy, as it was then called — he had never 
studied, and this had to be prepared without as- 
sistance. 



It was with no little anxiety that he went on 
to .\nnapolis for the examinations, and this anxi- 
ety was not lessened when on his arrival he found 
eighty or more aspirants for the twenty-five cov- 
eted appointments. The few days in Annapolis 
were trying ones. In one room on the top floor 
of the old Maryland Hotel, candidates from eight 
different states lived. They did not sleep. The 
proprietor tried to turn them out every night, but 
as his guests grew accustomed to the racket and 
found it did not avail to protest, the young men 
sta}-ed on. Mr. Cooley faithfully attended every 
examination, staving the full time and doing his 
level best. 

At the close of the examination he returned 
home feeling he had failed and accepted a place 
as teacher in the Canandaigua .Academy. A couple 
of weeks later a telegram was received at the 
academy about noon, ordering him to report with- 
out delay at .Annapolis. The three and one-half 
miles home were never traveled so fast, and that 
evening's train took him away from home for 
good. 

Imagine his surprise on arriving to learn that 
he had passed number seven, and this was his 
number also on graduation in June, 1878. At the 
academy he captained the class crew for two 
vears. rowing in one regatta. Just before the 
second year's race a great storm swept away the 
boat houses, that being the end of rowing at the 
academy for several years. He also excelled in 
fencing with foil and hroad-swords, of which he 
was very fond. 

.\ftcr graduation his first orders were to the 
U. S. S. Quinnebaug, which after a trial trip 
sailed in December to the Mediterranean. In 
November, 1879, l^^ ^^'is transferred to the U. 
S. S. .Alliance which on her return to .America 
was attached to the North Atlantic squadron. 
The .Alliance was in Norfolk navy yard for re- 
pairs for several months. In December, 1879, 
Mr. Cooley secured a month's leave from the 
.Alliance and was married to Miss Carolyn E. 
Mosely at Fairport, New York, on Christmas 
day. He returned to his ship in January and 
spent the summer on the banks of Newfoundland, 
g-oing later to the West Indies. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



231 



December 3, 1880, he was detached from the 
Alliance and on ^Nlarch 29, 1881, was ordered to 
dutv in the Bureau of Steam Engineering at 
Washington. Congress passed an act in 1879 
authorizing the detail of assistant engineers of 
the navy to teach marine engineering and iron 
ship building in colleges and technical schools. 
The University of Michigan was the first uni- 
versity to take advantage of this act, and to apply 
for such a detail, and in August, 1881, Mr. 
Cooley was ordered by the Navy Department to 
Ann Arbor. The customary detail of three years 
was at its expiration, by special request of the 
board of regents of the imiversity, extended an- 
other year, and at the end of that time by invita- 
tion of the president of the university and the re- 
gents, he resigned from the navy and accepted 
the chair of mechanical engineering. To this 
work he has given practically his entire life and 
now has the satisfaction of seeing the department 
well established. Recently a large and commodi- 
ous building has been erected for the department 
of engineering. For this he has striven con- 
stantly for eighteen years. 

He was a member of the board of fire commis- 
sioners of the city of Ann Arbor in 1890, and 
president of the city common council in i8gi and 
1892. The second time he was nn all tickets ex- 
cept one. 

He is past vice president of the American Soci- 
ety of ^lechanical Engineers, and a Fellow of the 
American Society for the Advancement of Sci- 
ence, serving one year as vice-president of the 
section on engineering. He is a member of the 
American Society for the promotion of engineer- 
ing education, a member of the U. S. Society of 
Naval Engineers, past president of the Michigan 
Engineering Society, member of the Detroit En- 
gineering Society, University of Michigan En- 
gineering Society, Detroit Club, Yondotoga Club, 
and Prismatic Club. He is a member of the 
Sigma Phi college fraternity, also of the Sigma 
Xi. As a Mason he a member of the blue lodge, 
chapter and commandery of Ann Arbor and the 
council of Ypsilanti. 

His busy days have left him little time for lit- 
erary work other than college lectures, profes- 
sional reports and papers, though frequently 



called upon for addresses. He is called upon not 
infrequently to give professional advice not only 
in Michigan but elsewhere. He has planned the 
heating and power plants of many of our state 
institutions in both the upper and lower penin- 
sulas of Michigan. In 1899 he was appointed a 
special appraiser for the Detroit Street Railway 
commission, having charge of the rolling stock 
and power plants. This work was organized, 
executed and reported on in one week's time, the 
value aggregating nearly two million dollars. 

In 1900 he was appointed by the state tax com- 
mission to value the physical properties of all the 
specific tax paying properties in Michigan, in- 
cluding railroads and their steam ships, telegraphs, 
telephones, plank roads, river improvements, ex- 
press companies and private car lines. This work 
was organized, executed and completed in six 
months' time, the field work being done in 
ninety days. The aggregate values approximated 
two hundred and forty million dollars. 

In October, 1902, he was employed by the gov- 
ernment of Newfoundland to appraise the me- 
chanical equipment of Newfoundland railways. 
He has served as an expert witness on many 
trials involving the validity of patents, and as 
consulting engineer in manv other cases. He is 
a member of the ]\Iichigan Naval Brigade, and 
served as chief engineer on board the U. S. S. 
Yosemite during the Spanish- American war, and 
at its close was attached to the League Island 
navy yard until February, 1899. He received as 
a token of appreciation of his services a silver 
medal from the city of Ann Arbor, a bronze 
medal from Detroit, and a bronze medal from 
the state of Michigan. He was a member of the 
committee on marine engineering, of the commit- 
tee on the state educational exhibit and chairman 
of the committee on the university exhibition at 
the World's Fair in 1893, and a juror on the com- 
mittee of awards at the Pan-American in 1901. 

In 1898 and again in 1903 he was offered the 
deanship of the engineering department of the 
University of Wisconsin, also in 1903 the presi- 
dency of the Colorado State School of Mines. 

In 1903-4 he was again called to assist the state 
in the preparation of its cases in the suit brought 
by the Michigan Central and twenty-seven other 



232 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



railroads to enjoin the auditing o-cneral from col- 
lecting the taxes imposed under advaloreni tax 
law passed by the legislature following the ap- 
praisal of 1900. This work consisted of a re- 
valuation of the physical properties of the rail- 
roads as of the date of the assessment in A])ril. 
1902, and required nine months to complete. 

In December, 1903, Mr. Cooley was elected 
dean of the department of engineering in the 
University of I\Iichigan. At the close of the 
present year he will have been in the service of 
the university for twenty-five years, during which 
time the department of engineering has grown 
from one department to six departments, civil, 
mechanical, electrical, chemical, marine, includ- 
ing naval architecture, and architecture, the latter 
course just being established. The attendance has 
in that time increased from twenty-five to nearly 
twelve hundred students. 

iVIr. Cooley has four children: Lucy Alliance, 
named by the officers of the U. S. S. Alliance and 
also the first baby of the class of 1878. aged 
twenty-five years ; Hollis Mosely, who, at the age 
of nineteen years, entered the Naval Academy in 
September, 1902: .\nna Elizabeth, aged twenty 
years ; and Margaret Achsah, aged seventeen 
years. Mr. Cooley has led an exceedingly busv 
life, with not a single vacation in eighteen years. 



AZARIAH F. MARTIN. 

.\zariah F. Martin, connected with building op- 
erations in Ann Arbor, was born in Ypsilanti 
township, Washtenaw county, in 1832. His fa- 
ther, James Martin, was a native of the Emerald 
isle, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He died 
in 1862, at the age of nearly seventy years, after 
a long life of activity and usefulness. He was 
one of a family of five children : but all have 
passed away. He came to America with his par- 
ents when a lad of seven summers, but during 
the voyage his father and two of his brothers died 
and were buried at sea, and the mother, on reach- 
ing the new world, took up her abode in .Seneca 
county, Xew York. The grandfather liore the 
name of Joseph Martin, while his wife bore the 



maiden name of Margaret Hunter. James Mar- 
tin, father of our subject, was reared to man- 
hood in Seneca county, Xew York, and enlisted 
for service in the war of 1812, becoming captain 
of his company. Having arrived at years of ma- 
turity, he married Letitia Depew, a native of the 
iMupire state. In 1825 he came to Michigan, set- 
tling in Ypsilanti. the travel westward having 
been made by way of the Great Lakes. He 
brought his household goods on a flatboat from 
Detroit up the Huron river, and when he reached 
his destination, he found that Ypsilanti contained 
but one building, and that of logs. He settled 
two miles west of Ypsilanti. taking u]) one luin- 
dred and ninety-six acres of land from the gov- 
ernment : and this he cleared and cultivated, fol- 
lowing farming here for some years. In the earlv 
'50s, however, he removed to the citv of Ypsi- 
lanti, where his last days were passed. He nearlv 
reached the psalmist's allotecl span of three score 
years and ten, while his wife departed this life 
at the age of eighty-two years. They became 
the parents of eight children, seven sons and one 
daughter, of whom Azariah F. was the seventh 
in order of birth, 'i'he others still living are: 
Mrs. Sarah Noble, a resident of Detroit : anf^ 
Peter D., who is living in Los .\ngeles. Cali- 
fornia. 

.A.zariah F. Martin was reared upon the home- 
stead farm in Ypsilanti township to the age of 
eighteen years, when he went to California with 
an elder brother 1850. There he remained until 
1853. being engaged in mining, in which he met 
with a fair measure of success. He then returned 
to Michigan and again following farming on the 
old homestead during the summer of 1853. In 
September of that year he entered the Ypsilanti 
high school, where he devoted his attention to 
the completion of his education. Subsequently 
he engaged in clerking in the drv goods store 
of F. W. Noble, in Ypsilanti, and later went to 
Detroit, where he secured a position as salesman 
in a flour and feed store, remaining there for two 
years. On the expiration of that period he lo- 
cated in A'enice, Shiawassee county. Michigan, 
where he followed agricultural pursuits, clear- 
ing the farm which he continued to cultivate for 
ten years, save during the period of his service 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



233 



in tlu' Civil war. In response to the coun- 
trv's call for troops, he enlisted as a pri- 
vate in Coniy)any L, Second Michigan 
Cavalry, in 1864, for three years, or un- 
til the close of the war. He participated in 
twenty-eight different engagements, and was 
taken prisoner while on the Wilson raid, Oxford, 
Alabama, by General P>. F. Hill, of the Confeder- 
ate army, April 23, i8()3. Lee has previously sur- 
rendered the Confederate troops to the Union 
army under General Grant, but this fact was un- 
known to the brigade to which our subject be- 
longed ; although the opposing forces were aware 
of the fact. 

When hostilities ceased and his aid was no 
longer needed in the south, Mr. Martin returned 
to his home. He was married October 4, 1854, 
in Ypsilanti, to Miss Mary E. Hammond, who was 
born in that city, and is a daughter of John S. 
and Elizabeth (Ridgely) Hammond, both of 
whom were natives of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. 
Martin have now traveled life's journey together 
for over fifty-one years. They have one daugh- 
ter, Anna L., who was born in Ypsilanti, and be- 
came the wife of Daniel Martin, who. though of 
the same name, is not a relative. They now re- 
side in Bay City, Michigan, and have one son. 
Percy William, who was born in that city, and, 
after completing the high school course there, en- 
tered the engineering department of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan in 1898, and was graduated in 
1902. He is now in the employ of the Russell 
Wheel & Foundry Company in Detroit. He mar- 
ried Miss Evelyn Hope Bryant, who is also a 
graduate of the university, and is a daughter of 
Rev. William Brvant, of Bay City. 

On leaving his farm in Shiawassee county, Mr. 
Martin removed to Owosso, Michigan, where he 
lived for five years, there following the carpen- 
ter's trade. On the 9th of January, 1876, he took 
up his abode in Ann Arbor, where he has since 
been engaged in carpentering, doing some con- 
tract work as well as working in the employ of 
others. His political support is given to the 
republican party. He has held various township 
offices, and every trust reposed in him has been 
faitlifully performed. He has represented the 
city of Ann Arbor as a member of the board of 



aldermen for ten years, and while acting with the 
council introduced the measure to institute the 
sewer s\'steni. He was also the first to agitate 
the subject of the street railway, and has been 
the promoter of many movements which have 
had tangible effect in the growth, progress and 
improvement of the city. He belongs to Welch 
post, G. A. R., and also to the Royal Arcanum. 



ROBERT S. P.\UL. 



Robert S. Paul is a representative of one of 
the old pioneer families of Washtenaw countv, 
and his birth occurred in Lima township on the 
2d of May, 1873. His father, William Paul, was 
of German birth, and came to this county in 
1830, being the first German boy confirmed within 
the borders of the county. Eventually he set- 
tled upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres 
in Lima township and became one of the enter- 
prising and prosperous agriculturists of the com- 
munity, so carefully conducting his business in- 
terests that his labors were crowned with grati- 
fying success. He married a Miss Stein, who 
is now deceased. In their family were nine chil- 
dren, namely : Mrs. Mary Brown, who is living 
in Saline, Michigan ; Henry, a farmer of North- 
field tow-nship ; Katherine, now Mrs. Nichatis, of 
Lima township ; Michael J., who is a farmer of 
Dexter : Christ Ferd, of Ann Arbor ; E. T., who is 
living in Chelsea : Charles, a thresher, residing at 
Chelsea : Robert S. ; and Mrs. Martha Baumiller. 

Robert S. Paul acquired his education in the 
district schools of Lima, and was reared in the 
usual manner of farm lads of the period, his 
time being devoted to the labors of field and 
meadow when not occupied with the duties of the 
schoolroom. He desired, however, to follow 
other pursuits than that to which he had been 
reared, and in 1895 he came to Ann Arbor, 
where he turned his attention to the draying 
business, which he followed for some years. 
About two years ago, however, he accepted a 
position as local agent for the Schlitz Brewing 
Company, and has since acted in this capacity, 
during which time he has gained many patrons 
and has thus conducted a profitable business. 



234 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



On the I2th of Februar)-, 1895, occurred the 
marriage of Mr. Paul and MLss Ehzabeth Hei- 
bein, a native of Canada. They now have three 
interesting children, \\'illiam Henry, Edna Marie 
and Leroy Robert. Mr. Paul is a member of 
the Lutheran church and i.s independent in poli- 
tics. He stands well here with the best people 
of the city and is a worthy representative of a 
pioneer family of the county. He has many 
friends, including those who have known him 
from his boyhood days — a fact which indicates 
that his life has been in harmony with principles 
that ever command respect and regard. 



JOHN S. JENNESS. 

John .S. Jcnness, deceased, was a pioneer resi- 
dent of Ypsilanti, prominent in public life, repre- 
senting his district in the legislature and achiev- 
ing success in business affairs until he became 
a prominent citizen. He took up his abode in 
Ypsilanti about 1858, but maintained his com- 
mercial interests in Detroit, where he conducted 
a wholesale and retail crockery business. 

A native of \^ermont, Mr. Jenness was born in 
Topsham, on the 15th of October, 181 1, and was 
descended from ancestry tracing its line back to 
William Bradford. His father always made his 
home in the east and there died. The mother 
was a distant relative of Noah and Daniel Web- 
ster. At an early age she came west and her 
last days were passed in the home of her son, 
John S., in Detroit. 

In the district schools of his native state John 
S. Jenness acquired his education, but never had 
the opportunity of realizing his ambition to ac- 
quire a college education. Entering a business 
life, he was first employed as an office boy in 
the office of Daniel Webster in Boston. After a 
few years thus passed, he accepted a clerkship 
with Abram French, who was engaged in the 
crockery business in that city, and thus Mr. Jen- 
ness first became acquainted with the crockery 
trade. He continued to act as salesman there for 
a few years, and in the early '30s sought a home 
in I\ricliigan, believing that the growing west 



would furnish better business opportunities. Set- 
tling in Detroit, he entered into partnership with 
his cousin, who also bore the name of John S. 
Jenness. They established a wholesale grocery 
store and entered upon a prosperous period of 
trade, in which they continued for several years, 
when the cousin withdrew and the firm name 
of Jenness & Mather was established. This rela- 
tionship was continued for several years, when 
the firm became Jenness & Fiske. These gentle- 
men carried on a wholesale and retail crockery 
business for several years, and, in fact, Mr. Jen- 
ness was connected with the trade up to the time 
of his retirement from business life. He had 
a splendid establishment, carrying a large and 
complete stock of goods and enjoying a trade 
which in volume and importance made his en- 
terprise one of the leading commercial concerns 
of Detroit. 

Mr. Jenness was three times married. In Bos- 
ton he wedded Miss Martha Clarke, a native of 
Maine, who died in Detroit. There is one child 
living by this marriage, Mrs. C. E. Yost, who 
now resides in Omaha, Nebraska, her husband 
being president of the Nebraska Telephone Com- 
pany. For his second wife, Mr. Jenness chose 
Miss Lucy J. Moore, a sister of tiie FEon. Wil- 
liam A. Moore, a prominent attorney of Detroit. 
She was born in the Empire state and died in 
Ypsilanti, February 21, 1863. In their familv 
were six children, of whom two died in infancy, 
and the four now living are as follows : Henry, 
who resides in Detroit, is engaged in the whole- 
sale crockery business, as a member of the firm 
of Jenness & McCurdy, having become his fa- 
ther's successor in that line of trade. He married 
Lillis Burt, a daughter of Wells Burt, of Detroit. 
Fl(ira is the wife of D. A. Matthews, who is en- 
gaged in the tele]5hone business in Minneapolis. 
Emma is the wife of Charles D. Parmalee, a 
prominent merchant living in Omaha, Nebraska. 
Lucy is the wife of Rev. Howell S. Sayles, of 
Chicago, who is an evangelist and spends the 
greater part of his time traveling, while his wife 
is now spending the winter with Mrs. Jenness 
in Ypsilanti. 

After losing his second wife ]\Ir. Jenness was 
married to l\Iiss Emma A. Ellis, whose birth oc- 




JOHN S. JENNESS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



237 



curred in Ypsilanti in 1838, on the day on which 
the first train passed over the Michigan Central 
Railroad in this city. She was a representative 
of one of the pioneer families of Washtenaw 
county, and has reached the age of sixty-seven 
years, during w^hich time she has lived in but two 
houses, the one in which she was born and the one 
to which she went with her husband in Ypsilanti. 
She is a daughter of Elijah and Almira (\\'ar- 
ner) Ellis, both of whom were natives of the 
Empire state, and at an early age came to this 
city. One of the principal residence streets here 
■was named in honor of her father, who was prom- 
inent in Ypsilanti, and for many years continued 
in active business at this place. He afterward re- 
moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where both he and his 
wife died. By the last marriage of Mr. Jenness 
three children were born : Hattie became the 
wife of Henry T. Cole, and died in 1895, while 
her husband is now living retired in Omaha, Ne- 
braska. John died at the age of five years. Laura 
is the wife of Frank Van Tuyl, an electrical en- 
gineer residing in Detroit. 

While still engaged in the crockery business in 
Detroit, Mr. Jenness determined to make his 
home in Ypsilanti and removed to this city in 
1858. He continued his commercial interests in 
Detroit, how^ever, until, on account of advancing 
years and hardships attendant with the necessity 
of making daily trips to and from the city, he 
sold his business with the intention of living re- 
tired. Indolence and idleness, however, were ut- 
terly foreign to his nature, and he could not con- 
tent himself without some business interests, so 
that for a short time he represented insurance 
companies here. In 1881, while driving, an acci- 
dent happened to the carriage and he was thrown 
to the ground and badly injured, so that during 
the four remaining years of his life he was an 
invalid, his death occurring on the 22d of April, 
1885. 

In politics Mr. Jenness was a stanch republican, 
recognized as a leader of the party, and for one 
term represented his district in the state legisla- 
ture at Lansing. For more than twenty years he 
held membership in the Baptist church at Ypsi- 
lanti, and had previously been connected with a 
church of that denomination in Detroit. He took 
13 



a very active and helpful interest in the various 
departments of church work, and was a man of 
charitable and benevolent spirit, who gave freelv 
to the poor and needy and extended a helping 
hand to those who sought his assistance. His 
giving was entirely free from ostentation and dis- 
play, and was prompted by a broad, humanita- 
rian spirit. He was also a helpful friend to the 
colored people of the vicinity, and believed that 
kindly treatment and assistance would go far 
toward solving the race problem. In his business 
career he made a most creditable record, because 
his methods were straightforward and honorable. 
His integrity as well as energy was a strong point 
in his buisness life, and he enjoyed the full con- 
fidence of the public and was esteemed as a repre- 
sentative of commercial interests throughout the 
state. Called to his final rest, his death was 
deeply deplored by many who knew him and who 
entertained for him the warmest regard and re- 
spect. 

Mrs. Jenness owns and resides at the old home, 
which is a fine, commodious brick residence at 
No. 324 Forest avenue. It was built by her hus- 
band when he first located in this city in 1858. 
.She also owns several store buildings in the busi- 
ness center of the city, which bring her a good 
rental. She is prominent in social circles here and 
has a most hospitable home, in which she is con- 
tinually entertaining her relatives and friends. 



JOHN MAYER. 



John Mayer, who has been foreman of the 
Michigan Furniture Company more than twenty- 
five years, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 
1854, and acquired his early education in that 
country. His father, John Mayer, was a mill- 
wright by trade, and died December 24, 1896, at 
Linnville, Indiana. His mother, whose maiden 
name was Mary Bahlinger, died in 1874. When 
thirteen years of age John Mayer came with his 
parents to America, and after landing on the 
Atlantic coast they made their way direct to 
Washtenaw county, arriving on the 2ist of No- 
vember, 1867. The family home was established 



238 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



at Scio, where for some years John Mayer at- 
tended the district schools, as did his two Jinith- 
ers, John J. Mayer, who is now pastor of the 
German EvangeHcal church at F>loomino;dale, 
lUinois, and Gottheb, a carriage manufacturer at 
Lake Odessa, Micliigan. There are also two 
sisters: Justine, now the wife of Rev. William 
Hausman, a resident of Adrian, Michigan, and 
Katie, the wife of Rev. Michael Mehl, of Linn- 
ville, Indi;;na. 

After completing his education John .Mayer 
began work on the farm of William Aprill. of 
Scio, where he remained for two years. He then 
began learning the trade of a cabinet maker un- 
der the direction of Florian Muehlig, of Ann 
Arbor, and for two and a half years was thus 
employed on the second llnor of the last frame 
building that stood on ^lain street between Liberty 
and Huron streets. The first tloor of the same 
building was occupied as a butcher shop by Mr. 
Sipple, the father of the present fire chief of .\nn 
Arbor. After remaining with Air. Muehlig for 
two years Mr. Mayer entered the cm|)loy of John 
Keck, who was then conducting a small factory 
on Fourth street. The business has since been 
greatly enlarged and is now conducted on the 
same site under the firm name of the Michigan 
Furniture Company. Mr. Mayer has now been 
foreman of this concern for over a (juarter of 
a century, a fact which indicates his thorough 
undestanding of the trade, his capability in the 
discharge of his duties and his unquestioned loy- 
alty to the company which he represents. 

On the nth of August, 1874, Mr. Mayer was 
united in marriage to Miss Christine Klinck, a 
daughter of Frederick Klinck, of Wurtemberg. 
Germany. Both of her parents died in the father- 
land several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer 
have become the parents of seven children : John 
E., Henry G., Carl F., Herman G., Robert E., 
Ernest W. and Mrs. Sophie Weimer. It is 
rather a remarkable fact that each of the sons is 
an expert rifle shot, and they have repeatedly 
issued challenges to any other family in the state 
to a contest at the target. For several years Mr. 
Mayer has been prominently connected with fra- 
ternal organizations. He has been president for 
three terms of two years each of the .A.nn Arbor 



Arbeiter \'erein, two terms of one year each of 
the .\nn Arlior Schuetzenbund, eight years presi- 
dent of (Jermania lodge, No. 476, D. O. H., of 
Ann .-\rbor. and for three terms of two years 
each president of D. O. H., of the state of Michi- 
gan, which ofifice he is holding at present. He 
is also prominently identified with the Ancient 
( )rder of United Workmen in Ann Arbor. Al- 
though he has never been a candidate for ofifice 
he has always been a consistent democrat and is 
a menilicr of the liethlehem ( ierman Evangelical 
church of this city, serving on the building com- 
mittee at the time of the erection of the house 
of worsliip. Mis advancement in business life 
is due to no fortunate combination of circum- 
stances or to anv family influence, but has come 
as the direct result of his own imtiring labor, 
perseverance and capable management. 



HENRY T. MANN. 



For fortv-three vears, or from boyhood down 
to the present time, Henry J. Mann has been a 
representative of the business interests of Chris- 
tian Mack and now of his estate. He was born 
in Ann Arbor January 3, 1847. His paternal 
grandfather, Jonathan Henry Mann, was born 
in Germany April 26. 1784, and came to .\merica 
in 1826. He settled first in Pennsylvania and on 
the 20th of May, 1830, he arrived in ,\nn Arbor, 
Alichigan. He had been married in Germany on 
the 10th of September, 1809, to Miss Louise Hal- 
ler, who was born in that country August 6, 
[786. They were resident of this city for more 
than a third of a century and here Mrs. Mann 
died (in the 9th of July, 1864, her husband sur- 
viving until the i8th of August, 1865. They 
were the parents of ten children, all of whom 
were bom in the fatherland, and with the excep- 
tion of three all died prior to the emigration of 
the parents to the new world. The eldest of the 
survivors was Emanuel E. Mann. Louise, who 
was born June 21, 1817, became the wife of Rev. 
Frederick Schmid, the first Lutheran minister in 
Michig-m and the organizer of many of the Ger- 
man churches of this state, where he arrived in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



239 



1833. i\Irs. Schmid departed this life March 
10. 1889. Sophie H. Mann, who was born No- 
vember 10, 1821, and is the only Hving repre- 
sentative of her father's family, is now enjoy- 
ing good health at the age of eighty- four years. 
She married August Frederick Hutzel, who was 
born in Germany. February 25, 1807, and died 
September 18. 1889. 

Emanuel E.. Mann, whose birth occurred in 
Germany June 4. 1814, died in Ann Arbor, No- 
vember 24, 1887. He came to America with his 
parents in 1826 and was married in this city to 
Anna Nietliamer. who was born in Germany Feb- 
ruary 9, 1825, and died in Ann Arbor November 
2. 1880. Emanuel jNIann learned the tanner's 
trade under the direction of his father in early 
life and later he built the first steam tannery in 
this city, which was located back of the old jail 
on Allen's creek. This he operated alone until 
1848, when it was destroyed by fire. He then 
entered into partnership with Christian Eberbach 
under the firm name of Eberbach & Company, 
and they began dealing in drugs and similar 
goods, the partnership being maintained tmtil 
1881. when it was discontinued. A year later 
Mr. Mann purchased the George Granville drug 
store, which was located on Main street where 
the Goodyear drug store now stands. Later he 
removed his store to the location now occupied b\- 
his sons imder the firm name of Mann Brothers, 
and it was there that he sold out to them. On 
retiring from commercial pursuits he settled on 
his farm, where his remaining clays were passed. 
He was a very successful man. mucli esteemed by 
all who knew him. In politics he was a republican 
and was vice-president of the republican meeting 
held "under the oaks" at Jackson, Michigan, 
when the republican party had its inception. At 
the time when he was conducting business as a 
member of the firm of Eberbach & Company his 
store used to be the meeting place of many poli- 
ticians of the day and also the place of rendez- 
vous for prominent and well known early settlers. 
At one time Air. Mann represented his district 
in the state senate and he held various local of- 
fices, serving on the school board of the city and 
also as alderman. He was very active in citv 
and council affairs and wielded a wide and bene- 



ficial influence, his efforts proving effective in 
promoting the general good, in his family were 
eleven children, of whom seven are yet living, 
namely: Eliza, Henry J., Emilie, Eugene G., 
Albert, Clara and Charles F. 

Henry J. Mann obtained his education in the 
schools of Ann Arbor and on leaving the high 
school in 1862 entered the employ of the finn of 
Mack & Schmid as a clerk. He continued with 
the firm for many years as confideiuial clerk and 
right hand man, and in fact so continued until 
the death of Christian Mack in 1901 — a period 
of thirty-eight consecutive years. He was at that 
time acting as bookkeeper in the loaning and 
banking department of their business and on the 
death of Mr. Mack he became the tookkeeper of 
the Christian Alack estate, in which capacity he 
is yet serving and is also the manager of the 
Christian Alack Agency, which was established 
by his late employer and has since been conducted 
most successfully. Mr. Mann has been in the 
employ of this house for forty-three years, from 
boyhood to the present time and his business 
position has ever been of the most honorable, 
his business integrity above question. 

On the 27th of May, 1880, in .\]ui Arbor Mr. 
maiui was married to Miss Mary Wagner, a 
native of this city and a daughter of John Wag- 
ner, one of the early settlers of Washtenaw 
county. They have one child, Louise A., who was 
born in Ann Arbor. 



ADIN A. BENNETT. 

Adin A. Bennett is a representative of one of 
the pioneer families of Washtenaw county, and 
is now successfully carrying on farming opera- 
tions in Webster township. He was born in 
Tompkins county. New York, January 14, 1836. 
and was only nine months old. when, in October. 
1836, he was brought to Alichigan by his 
parents. Lyman and .Sarah L. ( Dawson) 
Bennett. The father purchased a tract of 
government land in Webster township, this 
county, and at once began to clear away 
the timber and prepare the fields for plow- 



240 



PAST AND I'RESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



iiiii'. Ill March, 1840, however, lie removed to 
I'errw Shiawassee county, where he worked as 
a carpenter. I lis death occurred in that place in 
184S, wlien he was forty years of aijc, while his 
wife passed away Octolier 4. 1875. at the a.n'e 
of si.xty-seven years, on the old homestead in 
Perry. 

.\din .\. Ilennett was reared in a frontier set- 
tlement, where the work of improvement and 
progress seemed scarcely begun, and in early life 
assisted in the arduous task of developing a new 
farm. He remained a resident of Perry, Shia- 
wassee county, until 1876. wdnen he returned to 
Webster, Washtenaw county, which has since 
been his home. On the 3d of June, 1874, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary Olsaver, a 
daughter of Lawrence and Nancy (Bennett) (31- 
saver. The father, who was born in Montgomery 
county. New York, December 18, 181 1, became a 
resident of Webster township, Washtenaw 
county, Michigan, in 1833, when it was but a 
wilderness. Pie and his brother Cornelius had 
been educated in the ])ul)lic schools of their na- 
tive state, and when he was twenty-one years of 
age they left their old home in the east, starting 
for BuiYalo on the 6th of May, 1833. In the 
latter city they took passage on a boat bomid for 
Detroit, whence they came on foot to Welister 
township, stopping first with Elisha Cranson. Mr. 
Olsaver and his brother then went to look up 
land. His possessions at that time comprised 
ihirty-three dollars in money, a gun, a trunk an<l 
one suit of clothes. The land office at that time 
was at Detroit, whither Cornelius Olsaver made 
his way and ])urchased a tract of land from the 
government. This was in 1834, and he sold forty 
acres of his claim to his brother Lawrence, The 
latter engaged in making shingles, splitting them 
out of the timber and shaving them, after which 
he would sell to the local demand. In 1834 he 
bought forty acres more of land from the govern- 
ment, and also purchased another tract of gov- 
ernment land for his father, paying one hundred 
dollars for each eighty acres. Both he and his 
brother raised the frames for their houses in June, 
1837, and with characteristic energy Mr. Olsaver 
continued the work of improving his property. 
clearing away the timber and preparing the fields 



for cultivation. (Jn the 5th of January. 1840, 
he married .Miss Nancy Bennett, and on the 10th 
of March, 1840, they went to live in the new 
house. .\s opportunity afforfled he added to his 
hinil until he had one hundred and three acres at 
the time of his demise, and was regarded as one 
of the substantial agriculturists of the commu- 
nity. There was much wild game here in the '30s, 
including deer, turkeys, partridges, quail and 
some bears. One winter Mr. Olsaver killed thir- 
teen deer. Through the period of his residence 
here he witnessed many changes as pioneer condi- 
tions gave way before the advancing civilization, 
and man wrought his work in transforming a 
wild district into a region of rich fertilit\. Mr. 
Olsaver was well informed concerning the lo- 
cation and value of property, and aided man.\' of 
the early settlers to secure their claims. He 
cleared his own land with great care, and while 
carrying on his farming operations no weeds were 
allowed to grow in his fields. Everything had 
to be done systematically and in order, and his 
well directed efforts brought a good return. His. 
last home was the one in which Mr. and Mrs. 
Bennett now reside, and its substantial and at- 
tractive appearance indicates the spirit of its 
builder. Mr. Olsaver was elected justice of the 
peace, but did not qualify for ofSce, for he did not 
care to serve in positions of political preferment. 
He was, however, a member of the school board 
for many years. He attended the Episcopal 
church, but favored the doctrines of LTniversal- 
isni. In politics he was a whig until the dissolu- 
tion of that party, when he became a stanch re- 
publican, having firm faith in the principles of 
the party, although he did not seek or desire of- 
fice. His death occurred July 5, 1899, while his 
wife, who was born in Tyrone township, Steuben 
county. New York, September 4, 1819, passed 
away November 17, 1891. 

Mrs. Bennett was their only child, and was 
born January 6, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have 
a pleasant home in Webster township and take 
life quite easy, spending considerable time in 
travel. In the fall of 1900 they went to Cali- 
fornia, where they spent the winter with his sis- 
ter and brother. The farm is well cultivated and 
brings them an excellent financial return ; and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



241 



in its iiianaf^enieiit Air. llt-nncU ilis])lays jjood 
business ability and executive force. In politics 
he is a republican. His entire life has been passed 
in Shiawassee and Washtenaw counties, and he 
has been an interested witness in its growth and 
in the events which have marked its progress and 
constitute its history. lioth the Bennett and ( )1- 
saver families were closely associated with the 
earh' jjrogress of this part of the state, and well 
deserve mention in this volume. 



WILI.IA.M I'. [AAIES. 



The l)uil(ling interests of Ann Arbor find a 
wortln representative in William P. James, who 
has been closely associated with the substantial 
development of the city in this regard. He was 
born in London, England, on the 30th of No- 
vember, 1852. His father, William P. James, Sr., 
was of English birth, and throughout his entire 
life followed the occupation of shoemaking. He 
died in the year of 1897, and his wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Sarah Daniels, jiassed away 
in the same year. 

\\'illiani 1*. James s])ent his boyhood and youth 
in a manner not unlike that of most lads of his 
periled and locality, whose parents were in hum- 
hie financial circumstances. He ac((uircd his edu- 
cation in I'jigland. but in early manhood he be- 
came a resident of America, taking up his abode 
in Ann Arbor in iSS^. Here he learned the car- 
penter's trade, and after working in the em])loy 
of others for some time, he began contracting 
and building on his own account, which |)ursuits 
he has followed for thirteen years with con- 
stantly growing success. He has built many of 
the fraternity houses and some of the finest resi- 
dences of Ann Arbor. He is thoroughly familiar 
with the builder's trade, both in ])rincii:)le and 
detail, and his operations in this line have been 
an !m]x)rtant factor in the substantial improve- 
ment and the promotion of the attractive a])- 
pearance of this beautiful city. 

On the 20th of June, 1883, Mr. James was 
united in marriage to Miss Emma Kitson, of 
Greenwich, England, and thev have become the 



parents of two daughters, both of whom died in 
infancy, and two sons, namely : Mabel, Florence, 
William and Albert. The wife and mother wa.s 
called to her final rest on the 29th day of Julv, 
1903. She was a lady of natural culture and re- 
finement, and of many excellent traits of charac- 
ter, universally esteemed and loved by all with 
whom she came in ctjutact, and her loss is a 
heavy blow to her husband and children. The 
family home is a beautiful residence at No. 1341 
( ieddes avenue. Mr. James and his son .Vlbert 
have gone to England to spend several months 
with relatives at his old home. Mr. James is a 
member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and he 
carries a heavy insurance in the Equitable Life 
Insurance Company. He is a man of marked 
foresight in business and in other relations of 
life, and in his chosen field of endeavor he has 
made gradual advancement until he is a worthy 
representative of building operations here. 

His business methods are such as re(juire no 
disguise, but will bear the closest investigation 
and scrutiny : and he commands the uniform con- 
fidence of all with whom he has been associated, 
either through trade or social relations. 



REV. .VNTON MEIER. 

Rev. .\nton .Meier, deceased, was a leading 
divine of the German Methodist church, and a 
man whose eloquence, zeal and consecration to 
his coimtry ma<le his services of great power and 
value in the moral develo])ment of the localities 
with which he was associated. A native of Ba- 
varia, (ierniany, he was liorn on the loth of Au- 
gust, 1856, and was a yotith of sixteen years 
when in 1872 he came to the Ignited .States. 
After completing his literar)- education in the 
schools of his native land he began preparation 
for the ministry and his entire life was devoted 
to that holy calling. He was ordained a preacher 
of the German Methodist church and entered 
upon his chosen field of labor. He had been pro- 
vided with excellent educational privileges, was 
an earnest and disseminating student and was 
graduated from the Rochester ( New "S'ork) Lhii- 
versitv. 



242 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



In the year 1878 Rev. Meier was united in 
marriage to Miss Anna Ernst, of Casca, St. Clair 
county, Michigan. Her parents were natives of 
Germany and came to this country when Mrs. 
Meier was eight years of age. Her father, Chris- 
topher Ernst, is now hving retired in Detroit 
after an active life on a farm. They became the 
parents of three children, of whom two are liv- 
ing: Helena, who was born May 10, 1879. and 
Theresa, who was born March 4, 1881. Paulus, 
born January 5, 1884, died in 1885. Rev. Meier 
liver for only seven years after his marriage. 
His was an ideal home relatior: and to his family 
he was a devoted husliand and father. He re- 
garded with conscientious purpose and earnest- 
ness every obligation and duty that devolved upon 
him in all life's relatinn. In the chiu'ch he was 
regarded as a most able minister, having an im- 
pressive delivery, a true eloquence and an ora- 
torical power that enabled him to at once interest, 
entertain and impress his auditors. Moreover, 
his uttcrings rang with the ])ower of honest con- 
victinn, and not (inly in the pnlpit but in all the 
various departments of church activity he was 
a most earnest worker. . He was broad in his 
views, kindly to those who needed assistance, 
and his helpful spirit gained him the respect and 
love of people of all denominations as well as 
those of his immediate congregation. 



ADELr.ERT 



\V AT.KER. 



-\delbert 1!. Walker, a liveryman of Ann Ar- 
bor, is a native son of Washtenaw count}-, his 
birth having occurred in .Salem township on the 
i6th of October, 1863. His father, Charles P. 
Walker, was a farmer of that locality, success- 
fully carrying on agricultural pursuits. He was 
regarded as an expert judge of horses and was 
owner and breeder of some very fine stock. He 
married Miss Hester Ann Sober and they became 
the ])arents of two sons: .Adelbert 1!.: and Wil- 
bur S., a machinist living at Spokane, \\'ashins;- 
ton. The father died in 1890, having for several 
years survived his wife, who passed away in 
T882. 



.\delbert I!. Walker at the usual age began his 
education in the district schools of Salem town- 
ship, and was reared to farm life, aiding in the 
labors of field and meadow through tiie periods 
of vacation. He afterward went to Moline, Illi- 
nois, where he worked at the machinery business 
for five years, gaining a good knowledge of the 
trade, and on the expiration of that ])eriod he 
returned to Ann Arbor in 1893. Here he es- 
tablished a livery business which is located about 
a block from the grounds of the University of 
Michigan. He runs twelve hacks, and has a 
large and fine line of carriages and other vehicles, 
and has a very liberal patronage from the stu- 
dents of the university, as well as the general 
public. 

In i8<;5 .Mr. Walker was united in marriage to 
Miss Carrie Hamilton, of Salem, and they have 
two children : hdorence, nine years of age, now 
in school; and Uerle, four years old. The ]iar- 
rents are members of the Congregational church. 
Mr. ^^'alker takes no active interest in politics, 
being inde])endent in party ties. He gives close 
and unremitting attention to the conduct and de- 
velopment of his business and his well directed 
labors are liringing to him a gratifying measure 
of ])rosperity. 

-Mrs. Walker's father was Charles W. Hamil- 
ton, who was born in Pelham, ^Massachusetts, on 
July 4, 1822, and was twelve years of age when 
he came to Michigan, settling in Salem, Washte- 
naw count)-, with his father, Joel Haiuilton, a 
pioneer of that township. There he grew to man- 
hood and throughout life followed farniing. He 
was luarried on the lOth of February, 1S45. to 
Miss Hannah E. Thompson, of New York state, 
by whom he had three children: Milton, who 
died in \-(iutli : b'lniira, wife of Ernest Renwick. of 
Detroit; and Elizabeth, wife of E. G. Nelson, of 
Salem. For his second wife Mr. Hamilton mar- 
ried Caroline .A. Mead, of Salen-i, on the 27tli of 
October, 1852, and they lived to celebrate their 
golden wedding at the home of their eldest 
daughter, Mrs. Herbert W. Smith, whose silver 
anniversary occurred on the same date. She was 
born in Tioga county. New York, and was tlie 
eldest daughter of ^^'illiam Y\. and .\ryilla Mead, 
of West Candor, her father being the first white 




A. 1]. WALKER 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



245 



child born in Tioga county. In 1837 he brought 
his family to Michigan. Hy his second union 
Mr. Hamilton had four children: Frances .\ , 
wife of Herbert Smith, of Salem ; Irving W., 
who is operating the old homestead farm in 
Salem : Edwin C, who died at the age of eighteen 
years ; and Carrie, now Mrs. Walker. The par- 
ents both died on the 21st of December, 1902, 
within ten hours of each other. They were earn- 
est and consistent members of the Congregational 
church, and in politics Air. Hamilton was a re- 
publican. 



THOMAS M. LITTLE. 

Thomas M. Little, possessing the marked en- 
ergy, executive force and enterprising spirit 
which have been the dominant factors in the up- 
liuilding of the middle west, is now successfully 
conducting a real-estate 1)usiness in .\nn Arbor, 
handling both im])roved and unimproved prop- 
erty. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio. 
August 24, 1838. his parents being William and 
Suzanna ( Palmer ) Little. The father was born 
in Tyrone county. Ireland, and after coming to 
America settled on a farm in Ohio when sixteen 
years of age. There the remainder of his youth 
was passed, and eventually he became a resident 
of Tazewell county, Illinois, where he owned and 
operated a fine farm of one hundred and si.xty 
acres. His wife belonged to an old Pennsylvania 
family. Mr. Little departed this life in 1874 and 
his widow survived until 1896. In their family 
were the following children : Thomas M. ; John, 
deceased; James, who is living in Kansas Citv ; 
William, a resident farmer of Kansas ; and 
Charles and Laura, both of whom have passed 
awa\'. 

Thomas M. Little spent the first eight years of 
his life in the county of his nativity and then 
accompanied his parents nn their remcjval to 
Tazewell county. Illinois, where he began his 
education in the public schools, continuing his 
studies until nineteen years of age. The periods 
of vacation were deyoted to farm work and he 
early became familiar with the best methods of 
tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On the 



expiration of that period he removed to Kansas, 
where he was employed on a cattle ranch but, 
seeking a broader and more ])rofitable field of 
labor, he established a real estate office in 1880 
in Republic county. Kansas, and while dealing 
in farm lands he brought to the business the 
valuable knowledge he had acquired as a practical 
farmer. From t88ij until 1803 'i*^ ^'''^^ engaged 
in the land Inisiness in Trenton, Missouri. He 
tiuii came to Ann Arbor, where he is now carry- 
ing (in the real estate business on an extensive 
scale, dealing largely in improved and unimproved 
farms and land. Under his guiflance property 
has appreciated in value and he is an expert on 
land values, having thorough knowledge of the 
])ropert\- of this section of the state, as well as 
the south and west, so that he is enabled readily 
to place his clients in comniuication with those 
who have realty for sale. From the first his 
patronage has steadily, constantly and rapidly in- 
creased and his business is now of large extent 
and importance. He is interested in lands in 
many states of the south and southwest and in 
Redwood lands in California, Alabama and Geor- 
gia. 

While living in the east Air. Little was married 
in t886 to Miss Abeline Reily, and after losing 
his first wife he married Mrs. Ethelyn Weaver, 
a widow of Washington, D. C, she becoming his 
wife in rQOi. In his fraternal afifiliation Mr. 
Little is an Odd Fellow and Woodman. He is 
a man of fine personal appearance, tall and well 
formed, is an excellent conversationalist and has 
gained a personal popularity as well as a notable 
and enviable position in business circles. 



JAMES ROY.VL SAGE. 

Tames Royal Sage, who has devoted the 
greater part of his life to teaching music, and is 
a prominent factor in musical circles in .\nn .\r- 
bor, was born in Ossian, Allegany county. New 
York, November 27, 1821. His father. James 
Sage, was a farmer by occupation, and in the 
pioneer days of Michigan's develo]Mnent, settled 
near Salem Station in Washtenaw county, where 



246 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



he cleared a farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres. From Salem the family afterward re- 
moved to Livinqslon county, and in i860 went 
to Ypsilanti. Later the family home was estah- 
lished at Kalamazoo, and in Ann Arhor in 1865. 

Reared in his parents' home, James Royal Sage 
early displayed taste, talent and aptitude for music 
and received instruction from such distinguished 
teachers as Dr. Lowell IMason, Dr, George Webb, 
C. M. Cady and others. He has practically de- 
voted his life to the teaching of music, and for 
thirteen years he has also managed a music store 
in Ann Arbor. His efforts along the line of his 
art have made him a valued factor in nuisical cir- 
cles in the city, and he has done much to culti- 
vate the public taste in this direction. 

Mr. Sage was married in 1842 to Miss Marx- 
Barnard, of Genoa, Livingston county, a daugh- 
ter of James Barnard, and they became the par- 
ents of three children : ( jrville W., Charlotte and 
]\Iary Sophia. For his second wife Mr. Sage 
married Lizzie Dix, in 1873, and to them have 
been born four children : James Roval, Jr., who 
is now employed by the government in the post- 
ofifice department and lives in Ann .\rbor ; Carl 
T,, who was a farmer of Dixboro, Michigan, and 
died in June, 1905 ; Lottie, who died at the age 
of thirteen years ; and one who died in infancy. 
Mrs. Sage has two sisters living, Mrs. Van Buren 
of Ypsilanti, and Mrs. Alice Schofield ; and she 
also has four brothers. 

Mr. Sage is now eighty-five years of age, and 
is still an active man. For seventy-three years 
he has been a resident of this state, and has 
made his home in Ann Arbor for fort\- vears. He 
has been a prominent worker in the I'.aptist 
church, taking an active part in the Sunday 
school, and was leader of the choir for twenty- 
seven years. His has been a most honorable 
and upright life, displaying a Christian faith that 
is beautiful in its simplicity : always cheerful and 
looking on the bright side, he has shed around 
him much of the simshine of life, and has added 
largel)' to the sum total of human happiness. He 
is now living in a beautiful home of his own, 
which is situated on a hillside, commanding a 
splendid view of Ann Arbor and the surrounding 
country. He has there a vineyard of several 



acres, and his time is now largely devoted to its 
care. 

James Royal Sage, Jr., was born in Ann Ar- 
bor, June 22, 1876, and after completing his edu- 
cation in the public and high schools of this city, 
he turned his attention to the printing business 
which he followed for six years. He then en- 
listed in Company .\, Thirty-first Michigan Regi- 
ment of Volunteers, and went to Cuba, serving in 
the Spanish-American war. He was married in 
1 901 to Miss Maud Stebbins, of Dexter. His 
fraternal relations are with Golden Rule lodge, 
Xo. 59. .\. F. & -V. AL, and he belongs to the Epis- 
copal church, while in his political views he is a 
stanch republican. In 1898 he entered the mail 
service and is still employed in that capacity. He 
has made a creditable record in military circles, 
as a popular official and private citizen, and has 
that strong friendship vyhich arises from warm, 
])ersonal regard. 



JESSUP SC( )TT WOOD. 

Tessup Scott \\'oo(l, for many years identified 
with agricultural interests but now living retired, 
has reached the eightieth milestone on life's jour- 
ney, his birth having occurred in Connecticut in 
January, 1825. His father, Ira Wood, was born 
in Connecticut and died in 1856, at the age of 
fifty-nine years. He married Maria Scott, also a 
native of the Charter Oak state, while her death 
occurred in 1892, at the very advanced age of 
ninety-fi\-e years. After their marriage they re- 
moved from New England to the state of New 
York, where Mr. Wood carried on general agri- 
cultural pursuits for six \ears. He then sold his 
farm in the east and in 1836 came to Michigan, 
settling in Lodi township, Washtenaw county, 
purchasing one of the first farms that was entered 
from the government in this county. It comprised 
four hundred acres but only seventy acres had at 
that time been improved. He placed the greater 
part of the remainder under cultivation and con- 
tinued farming there successfully up to the time 
of his death. He was very active and helpful in re- 
ligious work in liis township, aiding largely in the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



247 



activity of the church, which in early days was 
conducted as a Presbyterian church but was after- 
ward reorganized as a Congregational church. 

Jessup Scott Wood is the only survivor of a 
familv of five sons. He had a twin brother. 
George S. \\'ood, who died in ic)02. Tn a log 
schoolhouse of the early day he acquired his 
education and on attaining man's estate he began 
farming on the old homestead in Lodi township, 
where he resided continuously until .\ugust 12. 
1902. He then removed to .\nn Arbor, where 
he is now enjoying a well earned life of ease. He 
was a very energetic and progressive agricultur- 
ist and made a specialty of raising fine sheep and 
also had good grades of horses and cattle upon 
his place. In all of his farm work he was progres- 
sive and his labors resulted in bringing to him a 
gratifying measure of prosperity. 

On the loth of October. 1848. Air. Wood was 
married to Aliss Ann Eliza Ingraham, who was 
born in ( )hio and died in Washtenaw county June 
17, 1855. They had three children, of whom one 
died in infancy, the others being Fred C. and Ella 
Maria. The son, who is now a farmer of Ypsi- 
lanti township, was born in Lodi township and 
married Flora Allen, by whom he has two chil- 
dren ; Allen Fred, a graduate of the normal school 
of Ypsilanti, who is now principal of the high 
school at Cheboygan. Michigan, and who married 
Olive Atherton. by whi:im he has one child. Doro- 
thy ; and Rose Louise, the wife of Leon Hatha- 
way. Ella Maria Wood, now deceased, became 
the wife of \Mlliam Allen, a brother of Mrs. Fred 
C. Wood. They have four children : Walter J-, 
who married Lora Dayton and has one child, 
Harold Dayton; Nellie B., the wife of James E. 
Bartlett and the mother of three children, Lois 
and Allen E. and James H., twins; Fred W.. who 
married Margaret Cox. who died leaving a son. 
Frederick Curtis: and William B. On the i6th 
of October, 1856, Mr. Wood married Lydia P. 
Ingraham, a sister of his first wife and a daugh- 
ter of Asa and Betsy (Ingraham) Ingraham, her 
parents having been second cousins. Her father 
was born in A'ermont and her mother in New 
York, and they removed to Ohio at an early day. 
They had two children. Their son, Norman Asa, 
married Mrs. Lillian D. Andrews, nee Phillips, 



the widow of J. D. Andrews, by whom she had 
one son, Walter J., while by her second marriage 
she has a daughter, Anetta Lois. Ann Eliza be- 
came the wife of Fred A. Hunt and has two chil- 
dren, Mabel and Lewis W. 

Mr. Wood's tw-o grandsons, Fred W. and Wil- 
liam W., were soldiers of the Spanish- American 
war, enlisting as volunteers for service in Cuba. 
Mr. Wood has been a resident of this covmty for 
the last seventy years and few therefore have 
longer been witnesses of the clianges which have 
occurred and the transformation that has been 
wrought. When he arrived many evidences of 
frontier life were still to be seen. Fretiuently 
wild animals were- killed where are now seen the 
domestic animals of the farm yard and rich fields 
of grain have replaced the unbroken forests. 
Towns and villages have also sprung up and the 
work of improvement has been carried forward 
along modern lines. Mr. Wood has ever been 
active as an agriculturist in promoting the growth 
of the county and its material improvement and 
now in the evening of life he well merits the rest 
which is vouchsafed to him in recognition of his 
nianv \ears of earnest ami untirinsf labor. 



FREDERICK J. .SCHLEEDE. 

Frederick J. .Schleede. whose business career 
has been marked b\" consecutive progress and 
substantial achievement is now conducting an ex- 
cellent book bindery in Ann Arbor, where he is 
also proprietor of a book, stationery and 
jewelry store. He was born in Germany on the 
8th of October, 1842. his parents being William 
and Mary Schleede, who were likewise natives of 
the same country. The father was a carpenter 
by trade, and both he and his wife attained to 
a venerable age, Mr. .Schleede passing away 
about twenty-three years ago, at the age of 
eiglity-two years, while his wife died thirteen 
years ago. at the age of eighty-six }ears. In 
their family were nine children, of whom five are 
living. 

At the usual age Frederick J. .Schleede began 
his education in the public schools of the father- 



248 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



land. He was a youth of fifteen years when he 
came with his parents to the new world and here 
continued his studies for a period of eigfht years, 
winning the money that enabled him to pursue 
his course. On his arrival to the L'nited States 
he made his way directly to Philadelphia, after- 
ward went to Cleveland, and later spent one year 
in Detroit and one year in Cincinnati. He next 
located in Chicago and thence came to Ann Arbor, 
where he has since made his home. Here he 
became foreman in the Dr. Chase book bindery 
and held that position for thirteen years, and 
foreman in the Deal bindery of this city for eight 
years. About twenty-two years ago he established 
business on his own account at the corner of Hu- 
ron street and Fifth avenue, and his present loca- 
tion is at No. 340 South State street, where he 
conducts a book bindery and also has a well equip- 
ped book, stationery and jewelry store. He is 
the inventor of a very ingenius temporary binder, 
which he has patented, and has alreadv sold thou- 
sands to the students of the University of Michi- 
gan and to the trade. The device is a verv useful 
one. In the year 1868 INIr. Schleede was married 
to Carrie Lohr, of Ann Arbor township, and 
they have five children, two daughters and three 
sons. 

Mr. Schleede is a memljer of tlie Independent 
Order of United Workmen and of the Arbeiter 
\'erein. He has held various offices in these or- 
ganizations and is now corresponding secretary 
of the latter. He is likewise an active member 
of the Zion Lutheran church, and his political 
allegiance has been given to the republican party 
since a£:e conferred upon him the rig-ht of fran- 
chise. After many years of active and close con- 
nection with business afifairs Mr. Schleede, feel- 
ing that he had already earned a vacation, made 
a very pleasant trip to California, accompanied 
by his wife, spending some time on the coast 
in viewing the many points of historic, modern 
and scenic interest in that section of the country. 
He is a man of excellent business ability and 
keen discernment, who has carefully watched 
every indication pointing to success and has kept 
abreast wdth the changing modern conditions of 
business life in the conduct of his industrial and 
commercial interests in .\nn .\rbor. His enter- 



prise has been a strong and forceful factor in his 
prosperity and his close application and unremit- 
ting diligence have also been basic elements in 
his success. He is to-day one of the most promi- 
nent and representative business men of the city, 
and his name is an honored one in trade circles 
and on commercial paper. 



MISS EMMA E. BOWER. 

.Miss iMunia 1\. liower, wielding a wide influ- 
ence in intellectual development in .\nn .\rbor 
and well known throughout the state in connec- 
tion with the Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, in 
which organizatiijii she has been honored \\ itli the 
position of great record keeper, was born in this 
cit}-. Her father, Henry Bower, was a merchant 
of .\nn .Vrbur for many years and in later life 
was a publisher in the newspaper field. He mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Gertrude Chase, a native of 
Xew York, who is still living, making her home 
with her daughter Emma in Ann .\rbor. In the 
family were six children : Henry E. H., who be- 
came a prominent newspaper man of Michigan 
and died in 1888: Emma E., Margaret V., who is 
living in .\nn .\rbor; Charles and Dwight, de- 
ceased; and B. F., a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, 
and publisher of The World. 

Miss Bower was a public-school student in this 
city, and after completing her more specifically 
literary education entered the medical school of 
the U^niversity of Michigan, from which she was 
graduated. She has also been actively interested 
in intellectual development and progress and her 
efforts and influence along that line have been 
far-reaching and beneficial. In September, 1894, 
she was elected a member of the Ann Arbor 
school board and has been president, secretary 
and treasurer therein, in which connection she has 
studied out methods for practical reform, im- 
provement and advancement and her labors have 
been manifest in the upholding of a high stand- 
ard in connection with the city schools. She is 
likewise closely identified with various societies 
fur mora! and educational culture in .\nn Arbor 
and is honorcil in public life as well as loved and 




MISS EMMA E. BOWER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



251 



esteemed in sociiil relations. She is now secretary 
and treasurer of the Micliigan Fraternal Con- 
gress and president of the National Fraternal 
Press Association, while in 1893 she was elected 
to the office of great record keeper of the Ladies 
of the Modern Maccabees, an organization with 
a membershi]! of eighty-six thousand, with head- 
quarters in Ann Arbor. In this position she has 
a force of thirty assistants, maintaining attractive 
offices in the Henning Block. She likewise be- 
longs to the Order of the Eastern Star, the Re- 
bekahs and Welch post, W. R. C. She is also a 
member of the Alichigan Woman's Press Associa- 
tion and is serving on its executive committee. 
Religiously she is a member of the Episcopal 
church and has been an earnest working member 
therein. .\ lady of strong intellectual force, keen 
discernment and executive ability, she is well 
qualified for tlie positions of leadership which 
have been conferred upon her and moreover pos 
sesses a strong human sympathy and kindly spirit 
which have endeared her to man\ \\ith whom she 
has been brought in contact. 



HON. GEORGE M. GAUDY. 

Hon. George M. Gaudy, mayor of Ypsilanti, 
to whom have been entrusted various positions 
of public responsibility and honor, was born in 
Stratford. C)ntario, Canada. November H). 1864. 
and is of Scotch lineage, his parents being John 
and Elizabeth (Moir) Gaudy, both of whom 
were natives of Scotland. Piecoming residents of 
Canada at an early day. the father died there in 
1889. at the age of fifty-four years, but his widow 
is still living at the old home place in Stratford. 
He was a marble dealer and followed that busi- 
ness up to the time of his death. 

In the schools of his native citv (ieorge M. 
Gaudy acquired his education, and when a \'oung 
man of eighteen years came to Ypsilanti. where 
he has since made his home. He sought and 
found employment here, and through the judici- 
ous use of his earnings he was enabled to engage 
in business on his own account in 1886. when he 
began dealing in confectione^^^ ice cream and 



bakery goods on Huron street. The business, 
however, was soon removed to its present loca- 
tion, and from the beginning he has enjoyed a 
constantly increasing trade at No. 199 Congress 
street. He conducts both a wholesale and retail 
establishment, and has won local fame as a man- 
ufacturer of ice cream, making extensive ship- 
ments of that product to surrounding towns and 
localities. In his business life he is notably 
prompt and reliable, ever watchful of indica- 
tions pointing to success, and so utilizing his op- 
|)ortunities as to bring about the best results. He 
has thus prospered year after year and is classed 
with the successful business men of Ypsilanti. 

Mr. Gaudy is moreover entitled to distinction 
as a representative citizen from the fact that he 
has again and again been called to public office 
by popular suffrage, acting in positions of public 
trust for almost sixteen years. In 1892 he was 
chosen alderman, and has filled the office alto- 
gether for four terms. In 1894 he was a mem- 
ber of the board of public works, and in the 
spring of 1904 he was chosen mayor of Ypsilanti 
as the candidate of the republican party, receiv- 
ing the largest majority given to any candidate 
for a long period. He was re-elected in .\pril, 
1905. and his administration of the office is char- 
acterized by a businesslike interest that has been 
far-reaching and beneficial. He brings to the 
discharge of his duties the same earnest purpose, 
executive force and keen discrimination which 
have characterized the conduct of his private 
Commercial interests: and he is ever readv to 
promote reform and progress and give his co- 
o])eration to movements that result beneficially to 
the city. .\s president of the Business Men's .A^s- 
sociation. he furthers in a practical manner its 
municipal interests. 

In 1886, in Ypsilanti. Mr. Gaudy was married 
to Miss Nellie A. Jarvis. a daughter of George 
W. Jarvis. of Ypsilanti, and they have two chil- 
dren. Ralph J. and Harold W. Prominent in so- 
cial circles of this city, they have manv warm 
friends here, and the hospitality of their home is 
greatly enjoyed by those who know him, because 
it is warm-hearted and sincere. Mr. Gaudy has 
aided many enterprises of both a public and pri- 
vate character, and he is a pleasant, genial gen- 



252 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tleman, very approachable. Steadily pursuing 
his way, undeterred by the obstacles and difficul- 
ties which bar the path of all, he has achieved a 
gratifying measure of prosperity. Steady appli- 
cation, careful study of business methods and 
plans to be followed and close attention to de- 
tails are the traits of character that have brought 
him success and made him one of the foremost 
men of Ypsilanti. 



JULIUS H. KOERNKE. 

Julius H. Koernke, of Ann Arbor, was born in 
Turo. Prussia, Germany, on the 27th of Septem- 
ber, 1866, and is one of the seven children whose 
parents were Carl Ludwig and Laura (Boenhke) 
Koernke, who were likewise natives of Germany. 
The father was a stock raiser and spent his entire 
life in his native land, where his death occurred 
in 1872, while his wife passed away in 1873. 
They were the parents of seven children, of 
whom six are living: Amelia, who died in 1888; 
Carl and Wilhelm, who are living in Germany ; 
August and Theodore, who are residents of Balti- 
more, Alaryland ; and Herman and Julius H., who 
make their home in Ann Arbor. 

Julius H. Koernke spent the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in the fatherland and in accord- 
ance with the laws of that country acquired his 
education. He was about twenty-two years of 
age when he resolved to seek his home in the new 
world, having heard very favorable reports con- 
cerning its opportunities and its privileges. Am- 
bitious to achieve success he therefore resolved to 
take advantage of business conditions across the 
water and in 1888 sailed for the United States, 
locating first at Baltimore. Li 1890 he came to 
Ann Arbor and subsequently worked in various 
capacities for John Baumgartner in the stone cut- 
ting trade, and afterward learned the carpenter's 
trade under the direction of the firm of Sauer & 
Company, with whom he remained for seven 
years. For five years he has been engaged in busi- 
ness on his own account as a contractor and 
builder with offices at No. 716 Fountain street, 
and being familiar with both the stone cutting 



and carpentering trades he has thus been enabled 
to erect some of the finest houses in Ann Arbor. 
A liberal patronage has been accorded him and he 
has been awarded many important contracts which 
he has faithfully and promptly executed. 

Mr. Koernke was married August 17. 1895, 
to Miss Barbara Beal, of Germany. He has fra- 
ternal relations with several organizations, includ- 
ing the Independent Order of United Workmen, 
in which he is president. He likewise belongs 
to the Mutual Benefit Association and is an Odd 
Fellow, while his religious faith is indicated by 
his membership in the Bethlehem Evangelical 
church. In his political views he is a strong and 
earnest democrat and on one occasion was nomi- 
nated for alderman from the third ward, but was 
defeated by a small majorit}-. Mr. Koernke owns- 
his own home and is highly thought of in business 
and social life. He is a self-made man who came 
to America without capital and through his earn- 
est and persistent labor has overcome the diffi- 
culties and obstacles which bar the path to suc- 
cess, working his way steadily upword until his 
position in business and financial circles is a 
noted and creditable one. 



JAMES D. MURNAN. 

James D. Murnan, the jiopular and efficient 
clerk of the Cook House, who is also interested 
in real estate here, was born in Leroy, New York, 
on the 1 6th of April, 1868. His father. Michael 
Murnan, is now living in Leroy, New York, and 
the mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary 
Connoll, died in 1895. In the family of this cou- 
ple were eight children, of whom seven are liv- 
ing, William, George, John, Katherine, James. 
Frank and Arthur. They also lost one son, 
Thomas. The daughter, Katherine, is now act- 
ing as housekeeper for her father. 

Mr. Murnan of this review pursued his early 
education in the schools of his native city and 
afterward continued his studies in Leroy Acad- 
emy. He spent his early life on his father's farm 
and became familiar with the duties and labors 
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He has 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



253 



traveled quite extensively, gaining the knowledge 
and culture which only travel can bring, and in 
the fall of 1890 he arrived in Ann Arbor. He has 
for man}' years been clerk in the Cook House, the 
leading hotel of this city and his capable manage- 
ment of the duties of the office, his unfailing 
courtesy and genial disposition have made him 
very popular with the traveling public as well as 
the citizens of Washtenaw county. 

Mr. Murnan was married on the 8th of Sep- 
tember, 1896, to Miss May Wing, of Scio town- 
ship, a representative of one of the prominent and 
influential families of Washtenaw county. Her 
father was a pioneer of the county and traded 
with the Indians. Her mother bore the maiden 
name of Harriet Bradford and was of English 
lineage, being a descendant of Governor Bradford 
of Mayflower fame. Mr. and Mrs. Murnan have 
one son, James, Jr., who is six years of age and is 
attending school. 

Mr. Murnan is a member of the Knights of 
Columbus and is a Catholic in religious faith, 
while his political allegiance is given to the dem- 
ocracy. He owns a fine home near the Unversity 
of Michigan, at No. 702 South State street, and 
he and his wife are prominent in the social circles 
of the city, where they now have a very wide ac- 
quaintance. He possesses a genial disposition, 
deference for the opinions of others, a kindly 
spirit and affability, and these qualities have been 
a factor in his success in his present business posi- 
tion as well as in his social life. 



HENRY BINDER. 



Upon the successful establishment of indus- 
trial and commercial interests depends the growth 
and prosperity of every town and city, and the 
real founders and promoters of a community are 
those who successfully control its business inter- 
ests. In this connection Henry Binder deserves 
mention, and although more than a decade has 
passed since he was called to his final rest, he is 
yet remembered by the great majority of Ann 
Arbor's citizens as one, who, in pioneer times, 
conducted a leading hotel in Ann Arbor, and in 
14 



later years contributed to tiie city's development 
by the erection of many of its business blocks. A 
native of Germany, he was born June 7, 1831. 
His parents always resided in that country and 
passed away there. The father devoted his en- 
tire life to agricultural pursuits. 

In the common schools of his native country 
Henry Binder acquired his education, and then 
began learning the harnessmaker's trade, which 
he followed in the fatherland until his emigration 
to America in 1852. He was at that time twenty- 
one year of age, and with the hope of benefiting 
by the superior business opportunities of the 
new world he crossed the Atlantic and made his 
way direct to Ann Arbor. There was only a 
small hotel here at the time, and, believing that 
there was an opening for a good hostelry, he be- 
gan business in that line near the old Michigan 
Central Railroad depot. The value of his busi- 
ness foresight was soon proven, as within a short 
time he secured an enviable patronage, his hotel 
finding favor with the traveling public. His ca- 
pable management brought to him a gratifying 
measure of success, and as the vears passed and 
his financial resources increased, he made judici- 
ous investment in city property and erected many 
of the store buildings now on Main street. These 
brought to him a good rental, adding materially 
to his annual income. He continued in the hotel 
business until his later years, when disposing of 
his hotel he lived retired, save for the manage- 
ment of his invested interests, up to the time of 
his death. 

Mr. Binder was married to Miss Caroline 
Pfinzenmaier, who was born in Germany, Sep- 
tember 5, 1 83 1. Her parents were residents of 
Stuttgart, and both died there. Mrs. Binder was 
the only one of the family to come to America, 
making the voyage across the Atlantic and the 
trip to Ann Arbor with a lady friend in the year 
1853. Eleven children were born unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Binder, of whom eight are now living. 
Mary, the eldest, is the widow of August Graf 
and resides with her mother. Her husband, also 
a native of Germany, came to Ann Arbor in an 
early day, and was engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness here until his death on the 2d of June, 1881. 
Pauline Binder is now the wife of Martin Haller, 



- 254 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



owner of the largest furniture store of Ann Ar- 
bor. Henry is engaged in tlie jewelry business in 
Detroit. Louise is the wife of Gabriel Elskie, of 
Detroit. Caroline is the wife of John Linden- 
schmitt, a member of the firm of Lindenschmitt, 
Appel & Company, clothiers of Ann Arbor. Fred, 
who was formerly engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness in Ann Arbor, now resides in Chicago. Wil- 
liam is acting as bookkeeper for his brother-in- 
law, Martin Haller, in the furniture store. Emma 
L. has always made her home with her mother. 
Those deceased are : Pauline, Frederick and 
Emma. 

The death of the father occurred on the 13th 
of November, 1894. In politics he was a demo- 
crat, and socially was connected with the Ger- 
man Workingmen's Society of this city. He at- 
tended the German Lutheran church, and his 
widow and children also worship there. At the 
time of his death the family were residing over 
one of his store buildings on jNIain street, but 
Mrs. Binder has since erected a large and beau- 
tiful residence at No. 108 East Willam street, 
where she and her two daughters reside. Mr. 
Binder was one of the leading citizens and pio- 
neer German residents of x\nn x\rbor. Pie made 
no mistake in his decision to seek a home in 
America, for he found here good business oppor- 
tunities ; and as the years passed, worked his way 
steadily upward until he occupied a position of 
affluence. His methods, too, won him honor and 
respect, and he is today numbered with the pio- 
neer residents of Ann Arbor whose labors proved 
of value to the city. 



FREDERICK G. HASLEY. 

Frederick G. Hasley, a dealer in implements 
and seeds in Milan and also serving as city mar- 
shal there, so that he is well known because of 
his mercantile and official relations with the town 
and its people, was born in Adrian, Lenawee 
county, on the nth of September, 1864. His 
father, Louis Hasley, was born in Goelshausen, 
Baden, Germany, January 14, 1822, and was a 
soldier in the Prussian war of 1848, participating 



in four battles. He came to America in 1850, 
crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which 
was thirty-four days in completing that voyage. 
Taking up his abode in Pennsylvania, he remained 
in the east until 1868, when he came to Adrian, 
Michigan. Subsequently he engaged in farming 
in Exeter township, Monroe county, and was a 
valued and representative agriculturist of the 
community for many years, passing away there 
on the 4th of July, 1904. His wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Margaret Hasley, was not a 
relative of her husband though of the same name 
and also a native of Germany. She still survives 
and lives at the old homestead. In the family 
were the following sons and daughters : Henry, 
who resides in Carleton, Monroe county. JMichi- 
gan ; Louis, a carpenter residing in Chicago, Illi- 
nois ; John, a farmer at the old homestead in [Mon- 
roe county ; Margaret, the wife of Milo Gage, of 
Ypsilanti ; Elizabeth, the wife of John Palmer, of 
Detroit ; and Barbara, who is living in Ypsilanti. 

Frederick G. Hasley acquired his early educa- 
tion in the district schools of Monroe countv, 
which he attended until fourteen years of age, 
after which he gave his undivided attention to 
fami labor until twenty-two years of age. He 
was then appointed deputy sheriff, serving until 
January i, 1888, and in 1890 he was re-appointed 
to that office, in which he continued until 1894. 
In February. 1895, ''"^ removed to Milan, where 
he entered the agricultural implement and seed 
business, also dealing in buggies, wagons and 
harness. He has an extensive trade coming from 
Washtenaw and Monroe counties. In October, 
1905, he purchased the implement and seed busi- 
ness of William C. Reeves & Son, of Milan, thus 
extending his trade and stock, and he is now con- 
ducting a large and profitable business, his dili- 
gence and enterprise bringing a splendid finan- 
cial return annually. In 1903-4 Mr. Haslley 
served as deputy sheriff of Washtenaw county and 
in March, 1903, was appointed village marshal of 
Milan, being the present incumbent in that office. 
He is nuich respected by law-abiding classes but 
is a terror to evil-doers. 

On the 23d of February, 1903, Mr. Hasley was 
married to Mrs. Sadie Heston, the widow of Ed- 
ward Heston and a daughter of Mrs. Lucy Coe. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



255 



Fraternally Air. Hasley is connected with the 
Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and the Dramatic Order of Knights 
of Korassan. In politics he is a stanch democrat 
but has many warm friends among the repub- 
licans. He is a great lover and patron of athletics 
and other outdoor sports and he has many friends 
among followers of those interests. Mr. Hasley 
is popular with all on account of his jovial and 
genial manner and cordial disposition and he has 
a wide acquaintance throughout the southern part 
of Michigan, especially in Detroit. The qualities 
of his manhood are such as have gained for him 
respect and confidence in political and business 
circles and in social life the circle of his friends is 
constantly increasing. 



HORATIO J. ABBOTT. 

Horatio J. Abbott, a speculative builder of Ann 
Arbor, who has done much for the city through 
his improvement of property, was born in Clay- 
ton, Lenawee county, Michigan, on the 26th of 
March, 1876, and is a representative of one of the 
pioneer families of that district, for his paternal 
grandfather, Ezra A. Abbott, settled in Lenawee 
county in 1835. There he followed the occupa- 
tion of farming up to the time of his death, which 
occurred in i860. His widow, who bore the 
maiden name of Emily Tuttle, and was born in 
Oneida count}', New York, long surviving him, 
died in the year 1897, at the age of ninety- 
three years. In their family were nine children, 
of whom si.x have passed away, while three are 
living, namely : Mrs. Nancy Foster, of Chicago ; 
Aaron, father of our subject; and Oramon, who 
follows farming near Lansing, Ingham county, 
Michigan, where he owns an eight-huiidred-acre 
farm, six miles south of the state capital. 

Aaron Abbott was born in Oneida county. New 
York, and there spent his early youth, attend- 
ing the district schools. Following the removal 
of the family to Michigan, he devoted his at- 
tention to general agricultural pursuits, but later 
became a contractor and builder, being identified 
with building operations for many years. About 



six years ago he came to Ann Arbor, where he is 
now living retired from active life. He was mar- 
ried on the 5th of June, 1856, to Miss Mabel 
Johnson, a daughter of John Johnson, a promi- 
nent farmer and a pioneer of Lenawee county. 
Mr. Abbott is a member of the Methodist church, 
and his political allegiance is given to the democ- 
racy, while fraternally he is connected with Fra- 
ternity lodge, No. 262, A. F. & A. M. He is 
now living at No. 713 Dewey avenue, Ann Ar- 
bor. In the family are two daughters : Mrs. 
Abbie McLouth, a resident of Lenawee county ; 
and Mrs. Olive Dowling, now living near Tra- 
verse City, Michigan. 

Horatio J. Abbott, the only son, pursued his 
early education in the village schools of Clayton, 
Michigan, and afterward attended the Adrian 
(Michigan) high school, from which he was 
graduated in 1898. He then became assistant city 
editor of the Adrian Daily Telegram, and in the 
fall of 1899 he matriculated in the University of 
Michigan, in which he pursued a literary course. 
In 1901 he purchased the Washtenaw Republi- 
can, changing the name to the Ann .\rbor Rec- 
ord, conducting the paper successfully until 1903, 
when he sold out. He purchased large tracts of 
vacant property near State and Packard streets, 
and has built many houses, transforming un- 
sightly vacancies into fine residence districts. He 
is an extensive dealer in real estate, selling both 
unimproved and improved property, but has 
mostly given his attention to the building of 
residences, which, when completed, he places 
upon the market, either for sale or for rent. He 
has erected over one hundred beautiful homes in 
a few years, which he has sold at a good profit. 
He displays splendid business discernment and 
unflagging enterprise, and his laudable ambition 
and strong determination have been salient fea- 
tures in what is a most creditable and successful 
business career. 

Mr. Abbott belongs to Fraternity lodge. No. 
262, .\. F. & A. M., and likewise belongs to the 
^^'ashtenaw chapter, No. 6, R. A. M., and has 
taken the Red Cross degree in the commandery, 
and is a member of the Eastern Star, No. 121. He 
is influential in local political circles, having for 
five vears served as secretary of the democratic 



2s6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



county committee. He is a man of pleasing per- 
sonality, very popular with a large circle of 
friends, and certainly deserves great credit for 
what he has accomplished, for he is still a young 
man, having not yet completed the third decade 
since starting upon life's work. 

On the 2Qth of November. 1905. Mr. Abbott 
was united in marriage to Miss Florence A. Sut- 
ton, the youngest daughter of Supervisor Robert 
B. Stitton, of Dover, Lenawee county, Michigan. 
Her father is a very prominent man in the 
county, being a wealthy farmer, and very influ- 
ential in politics. 



H. S. HOLMES. 



H. S. Holmes, president of the Kempf Com- 
mercial & Savings Bank of Chelsea and the pro- 
moter of many business enterprises that have con- 
tributed in substantial measure to the business 
growth and prosperity of the village, possesses 
that keen insight into business conditions and 
ready adaptability which are the foundation of all 
success. Moreover his business methods have 
been so honorable and his activity so continuous 
that he has gained on untarnished name and at 
the same time a gratifying measure of prosperity. 
He was born in Macon, Lenawee county, in 
1854, his parents being Samuel W. and Cornelia 
(Peters) Holmes. The father came from New 
York state to Michigan in 1842. He was a car- 
penter by trade and followed that pursuit for a 
time after reaching the west but later purchased 
a farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Scio 
township, Washtenaw county. It was in 1856 
that he took up his abode in this county, living 
upon his farm throughout his remaining days, his 
death occurring in 1896, after forty years of close 
connection with agricultural interests. His wife 
passed away in 1898. He was a democrat in his 
political views, active in the work of the party, 
and served as supervisor of Scio township. In 
his family were eight children, of whom one died 
in infancy. The others were: Dallas, now de- 
ceased; Frances, the wife of R. P. Copeland, of 
Dexter, and the mother of Professor Copeland, of 



.\nn Arbor; .Addie AL, the wife of William Mar- 
tin, of Webster township, -this countv ; Elizabeth, 
tlie wife of John J. Tuomey, of Detroit ; H. S., of 
this review ; Eva M., the wife of R. D. Walker, of 
Chelsea ; Henry and Alfred, both deceased. 

H. S. Holmes pursued his early education in 
the district schools of Scio township, his father 
having rL-moved from Lenawee to Washtenaw 
county. Later he continued his studies in Dexter 
high school and he embarked in business on his 
own account on the 21st of IMarch, 1872, forming 
a partnership with Thomas Wilkinson under the 
iirm style of Wilkinson & Holmes. This associa- 
tion was maintained until March 21, 1874. when 
Mr. Holmes sold out. They had conducted a 
general store and Mr. Holmes gained a good 
knowledge of business methods in its control. In 
August, 1874. he engaged in business as a member 
of the firm of Durand. Holmes & Company, carry- 
ing a general line of goods and continuing therein 
until 1880, when the senior partner sold his inter- 
est to B. Parker and the firm of Holmes & Parker 
was formed. That relationship was maintained, 
until the spring of 1888, after which Mr. Holmes 
was alone in the conduct of the business until 
1904, when the H. S. Holmes Mercantile Com- 
pany and department store was organized. The 
house carries a large line of goods and the busi- 
ness was incorporated in May, 1904, with H. S. 
Holmes as president ; E. R. Dancer, vice presi- 
dent ; D. H. Wurster. secretary ; and Ed ^'ogel, 
treasurer and manager. Employment is fur- 
nished to about twelve people and the business is 
one of the large, enterprising and profitable com- 
mercial interests of Chelsea. 

Mr. Holmes is a man of resourseful business 
ability and broad capacity for the successful es- 
tablishment and conduct of commercial interests. 
On the 1st of January, 1902, he organized the 
firm of Holmes & Walker and in 1890 he went 
into business with E. G. Hoeg under the firm 
style of Hoeg & Holmes, dealers in hardware, 
farm implements and furniture. In this enter- 
prise ]\Ir. Holmes continued until 1902, when the 
business became the property of Holmes & 
Walker. On the 17th of July, 1898, Mr. Holmes 
became actively connected with the Kempf Com- 
mercial & Savings Bank, which had previously 




S. W. HOLMES. 




H. S. HOLMES. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



259 



been the private banking house of R. Kenipf & 
Brother. The officers during the first year of its 
existence under the present orc;antzation were R. 
Kempf, president, and H. S. Hohnes, vice presi- 
dent, but since the 1st of January, i8gg, Mr. 
Holmes has been president, with C. H. Kempf, 
vice president, John A. Pahner, cashier, and 
George A. BeGole, assistant cashier. The bank 
has a capital stock of forty thousand dollars, a 
surplus of twelve thousand, undivided profits of 
five thousand and deposits amounting to four 
hundred and forty thousand. Mr. Holmes was 
also a stockholder and director previous to Jan- 
uary, 1898, in Chelsea Savings Bank, having been 
thus connected with the institution for twelve 
years. He is with the William Racon-Holmes 
Lumber & Produce Company, of which H. S. 
Holmes is president : William Bacon, manager ; 
George A. BeGole. treasurer : John Palmer, first 
vice president : and R. D. Walker, second vice 
president. Mr. Holmes is likewise a member of 
the firm of Dancer Brogan & Company of Lan- 
sing, dealers in dry goods. His chief attention, 
however, is given to the banking business at Chel- 
sea and under his guidance a safe and conserva- 
tive policy is followed that makes this one of the 
reliable financial institutions of the state. 

In October, 1879, Mr. Holmes was united in 
marriage to Miss Edith Cushman, a daughter of 
Ira Cushman. of Chelsea, now deceased. Three 
children have been born unto them: Ralph H., 
who was graduated from the literary department 
of the L'niversity of ^Michigan at AnnArbor in the 
class of 1903 and is now manager of the advertis- 
ing department of Hygiene Food Company of 
Battle Creek, Michigan: Enid P., at home; and 
Howard S., who for two years lias been a student 
in the university. 

In his ])olitical views Mr. Holmes has always 
been a republican. He has served as a member of 
the board of trustees and as president of the 
school board and was ajipointcd on the board of 
control of Michigan state prison during Governor 
Pingree's administration, receiving appointment 
in February. 1897, 1^'* term extending until Feb- 
ruary, 1903. Fraternally he is a Alason, belong- 
ing to Olive lodge. No. 156, A. F. & A. M. : Olive 
chapter. No. 194, R. A. M. : and Ann .\rbor 



commandery. No. 13, K. T, He is likewise 
connected with the Knights of Pythias, He has 
a wide and favorable acquaintance in Washtenaw 
county and his labors and influence have been an 
important factor in its upbuilding and substantial 
growth, especially in Chelsea. While "the race 
is not always to the swift nor the battle to the 
strong" the invariable law of destinv accords to 
tireless energy, industry and ability a successful 
career. The truth of this assertion is abundantly 
verified in the life of Mr. Holmes. His 
entire career is illustrative of the fact that 
certain actions are followed by certain re- 
sults. In business he has been a promoter 
of successful enterprises that have contrib- 
uted to general prosperity as well as to individual 
success and as a citizen he is an illustration of a 
high type of our .Vmerican manhood. 



ADOLPH H. FRITZ. 

Adolph H. Fritz, who for twentv-two years 
lias been a resident of Ann Arbor, as a represent- 
atives of its business interests, was born in this 
city, January 16. 1867. His parents were John 
and Minnie (Kieblcr) Fritz. The father, who 
was a farmer of Washtenaw county for many 
years, died about nineteen years ago, but the 
mother is still living on the old farm homestead. 
In their family were seven children : Will, who 
is engaged in the dry goods business in Mill- 
brook. Michigan: Edward, a resident of Cali- 
fornia: John, a miller of Saline; Adolph H., of 
this review : Rudolph, who is living in Oregon ; 
Julius, who resides upon the old homestead farm; 
and Louise, who lives in Lodi. 

.Adolph H. Fritz, whose name Introduces this 
record, began his education in the public schools 
of Lodi township, and during the periods of 
vacation he assisted upon the home farm, where 
he remained until nineteen years of age. He 
then came to Ann Arbor and has since been iden- 
tified with building interests in this city, first as 
an employe of Colonel Winslow and Henry 
Bliton. contractors of Ann x\rbor. For a number 
of years, however, he has been engaged in busi- 
ness on his own account as a general building 



26o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



contractor, and his efficiency and fidelit) have 
been the means of bringing him a good patronage. 
He has his workshop and office at No. 729 
South Main street, and from that point super- 
intends his various building operations. 

On the 20th of INIarch, 1893, Mr. Fritz was 
united in marriage to Miss Clara Bonet. and 
the}' now have three interesting children : Aimer, 
a bright bo}- of eleven years ; Laura and Itema. 
at home. 

Mr. Fritz is a member of the Zion Lutheran 
church and in political views is independent. He 
cares naught for the honors and emoluments of 
public office, preferring to give undivided atten- 
tion to his business pursuits. Throughout the 
period of his active business career he has lived 
in Ann Arbor, and those who kni iw him know- 
that his success is attributable entire!)- to his own 
labors. Starting out in life without any special 
advantages, he has realized the value and inipor- 
tance of close and persistent effort and upon this 
has based his prospcritv. His business interests 
are well conducted and his labors have been a 
factor in improving and beautifving the city. 



GEXERAL AL\RTI\ DAVIS. 

General !\[artin Davis, one of the most distin- 
guished citizens of Washtenaw county during 
its pioneer epoch and through the middle portion 
of the nineteenth century, was a native of Mor- 
ristown. New Jersey, and attracted by the op- 
portunities of the west wher-i this was a frontier 
district, he came to .'Vnn Arbor, from Port Ryron, 
New York, making the journey by way of canal 
to Bufifalo, where he took a packet to Detroit, and 
thence proceeded by stage to his destination, it 
requiring three days to make the trip from Detroit 
to .'\nn .^rbor. He located in what is now the 
seventh ward of the city, his home being on the 
present Liberty street on the site occupied bv the 
residence of Emil H. Arnold. He traded with 
the Indians in those early days, for they were 
about the only human beings in this part of the 
state. His name is associated with manv of the 
"first things" of the county. He brought the 



first repeating rifle to the territory, and it was 
an object of great awe and curiosity to the In- 
dians who tried many times to steal it. He built 
the first frame house in Ann Arbor, at what is 
now the corner of Huron and Ashley streets, and 
also built the first brick house, which stood on 
the site of the Koch & Nichols building. He 
was also the first justice of the peace and mar- 
ried the first couple in the county. 

( General Davis married Miss Mary T^ewis, who 
was born in New London, Connecticut, and was 
married when fifteen years of age. She died 
in 1870, while (Jeneral Davis passed awav in 1872. 
They were the parents of twelve children. 

John Milton Davis, who resided in Lockport, 
and afterward removed to Clinton, Michigan, 
was a jeweler. 

.\nn Eliza Davis became the wife of P. Mc- 
Cauley, and died in Detroit, in March, 1905, at 
the advanced age of eightv-five vears. 

.\delaide .\. Davis, now Mrs. .\. A. I'reer, 
spent her early school life in Mrs. Wood and 
the Misses Clark Seminarv in .Vim .\rbor. .\t 
fom-teen years of age she went to New York city, 
where she studied music, and she has since been 
very prominent in musical circles, singing in 
Grace church (New York) choir and in the Epis- 
copal choir of Ann Arbor. She was a pupil of 
the famous musician, George \\'ashl-)un-i .Morgan, 
of .\e\v York city, and has a beautiful soprano 
voice. .\s soloist she assisted in the dedication 
of University Hall, and she has figured promi- 
nently in connection with many notable musical 
events, .'^he married C. D. Bliss, of .Ann .Arbor, 
and they had two sons, Harry A. and Ferdinand 
niiss. The former, now residing in New York 
city, is a traveling salesman for the great jewelry 
house of Crementz & Conipany, with which he 
has been connected for twenty-three years. He 
married Miss Mary Doyle, of Newark, New Jer- 
sev, and they have two children, Harry F. and 
Hazel E., the former a student in Princeton Col- 
lege, belonging to the class of 1906. Ferdinand 
Bliss married Kitty Fell, of New York city, and 
is now in Qeveland, Ohio, with the Buckeye 
Electric Company, with which he has been con- 
nected since its establishment. Mrs. Freer was 
livinsr ir-i Chicago at the time of the threat fire 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



261 



there in 1871, and her home was destroyed in 
that mammoth conflagration. She now makes 
lier home in Ann Arlxir and is a member of St. 
.\ndrew's Episcopal church here. 

Frances L. Davis, the fourth member of the 
family, became the wife of John Sedgwick, a 
member of the firm of Longstreet, Sedgwick & 
Compan}-, extensive clothiers of New York city. 
Airs. Sedgwick died in 1877. Her three chil- 
dren. Alarv B., Benjamin and James, are living 
in Mount \'ernon. New York. 

Mary Davis was married in New York to 
James Doyler, a silk importer, and they had six 
children, of whom three died in infancy, while 
three are still living, and make their hunie in 
Hamburg, (Germany. Mrs. Doyler died in 1872. 

Harriet Davis became the wife of Samuel 
Tooker, of New York city, and was living theic 
at the time of her death in 1880. 

Martha Davis became the wife of Theodore 
Aschmann, a Swiss, who was engaged in import- 
ing silks. She had four children, whom she edu- 
cated in Europe, residing there for eighteen years, 
and her death occurred in i8go. 

\\'e can give no better account of the life, the 
works and the character of General Alartin Davis 
than to [iresent in its entirety the obituary notice 
which appeared in one of the local papers at the 
time of his demise, and which said. "We have 
the ])ainful and yet pleasant duty of recording the 
death of one of the first settlers in this city and 
one of the earliest pioneers of the state. General 
Martin Davis dejjarted this life July 30. 1872. 
at the residence of his eldest daughter. Mrs. Mc- 
Caulev, at St. Charles. Alichigan, full of years 
and honors, at the ripe old age of eighty-six. He 
emigrated to the then far west and settled in this 
city in the spring of 1825, forty-seven years ago, 
Avhen his ]irincipal neighbors were the red men 
of the forest. Three brothers came together. 
The eldest, William, died at Battle Creek at the 
advanced age of ninety-four. The other. Doctor 
Davis, who was the first surgeon of the prison at 
Jackson. Michigan, died in that city, nineteen 
years ago at the age of seventy. General Davis 
was an officer in the war of 1812. and won hon- 
orable distinction, participating in several battles, 
obtaining and retaining the warm friendship of 



General Scott, which lasted through life. He was 
very active in organizing the militia of the then 
territor}- and w^as foremost in every good word 
and work for the advancement and prosperitv of 
the countr}-. He was literally full of labors, offi- 
cial and individual, was the first justice of the 
peace in the county, married the first couple, built 
the first frame and first brick houses in the citv, 
both of which are now standing, the former now 
occupied as the law cfiice of our excellent towns- 
man. Major T. W. Root, and the latter consti- 
tuting the west portion of the Leonard House. 
He was one of the oldest Freemasons in tlie 
L'nited States and ranked verv high in that an- 
cient order, being the senior grand warden of 
the grand lodge of the territory of Michigan when 
that illustrious citizen, patriot, statesman and 
Freemason, General Lewis Cass, was grand mas- 
ter. He was also the first senior warden of Ori- 
ental lodge of this city, which was chartered in 
1846, when the writer of this was master, in all 
of which offices he honored himself and was an 
ornament to the royal craft. General Davis was 
in many resjjects a very remarkable man. His 
heart was pure and was always open to the wants 
of the needv, unbounded in its simplicity and 
irresistible in its perfect truth and frankness. No 
more entertaining companion could be found the 
world over, pleasant and hearty, fond of all 
manh' and sociable amusements, particularly at- 
tached to music, and an inveterate disciple of 
Tzaak \\'alton. He lived fifty-seven years with 
his wife prior to her death, which occurred two 
vears before his own, and no doubt hastened it, 
and the happiness of that more than half a cen- 
tur\- can not be better expressed than by describ- 
ing those long years as one continued honey- 
moon. He was enthusiastic in his suiiport of the 
great partv of popular rights, and it is an inter- 
esting fact in the earlv history of this county 
that on the inauguration of President Jackson 
in 182Q, at a festival given by the father of the 
writer at his house, to which every "Jackson 
man" in Washtenaw county was invited, and 
most of them were present. General Davis was 
prominent among the guests and sang in a rich, 
melodious voice that then famous war song, the 
"Hunters of Kentuckv," and was the life and 



262 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



soul of the feast. The lamp of his life went out 
peacefully and quietly. He died without disease 
and without much pain, expressing gratitude that 
his time had come and relying with unshaken 
confidence in the faith of a glorious immortality, 
and with full and dear hopes of meeting his loved 
ones again in that world from which no traveler 
ever returns. His family left, which are six 
children, mourn his loss, but feel that their loss 
is his gain, knowing that the old must die and 
the young may. His remains were taken to that 
beautiful city of the dead. Greenwood cemetery. 
Brooklyn, New York, where he rests bv the side 
of his sainted wife and beloved dausfhter." 



JOHN W. MARKEY. 

John W. Markey, a member of the city council 
of Ann Arbor, and well known in business cir- 
cles as a railroad contractor, is numbered among 
Michigan's native sons, his birth having occurred 
in Pinckney, Livingston county, on the 4th of 
December, 1858. His father, Bernard Markey, 
was born in Ireland, and became a resident of 
Washtenaw county in 1837. For a number of 
years he followed merchandising but later turned 
his attention to farming and was thus closely 
associated with agricultural interests in this part 
of the state. In politics he was a pronounced 
democrat and in his religious faith he was a 
Catholic. He married Miss Ann Cline, who was 
bom in Ithaca. Michigan, and for many years 
they traveled life's journey together but were 
separated by the death of the husband on the 21st 
of October, 1882. Mrs. Markey survived for a 
number of years, passing away in May, 1897. 
Their marriage was celebrated in Washtenaw 
county, ]\lay 15, 1851, the wedding ceremony 
being performed by Father Cullen. They became 
the parents of six children, of whom three are 
yet living: James Bernard, who is living in To- 
ledo ; John W., of this review ; and Robert 
Francis. 

John W. Markey acquired his education in the 
schools of Pinckney, Michigan. For twenty years 
he has made his home in Ann Arbor, during 



which time he has traveled extensively. He has 
been engaged in the real estate business and rail- 
road contracting business through the south and 
southwest for many years and his operations have 
been extensive in that line. He has contracted 
for the construction of many miles of railroad. 

In 1892 Mr. Markey was imited in marriage to 
Miss Katherine Cooney, a native of South Bend, 
Indiana, and a daughter of iMichael Cooney, a 
very prominent fanner of St. Joseph county. 
Five children have been born unto them : Marie 
Estella, thirteen years of age, now in school ; 
Francis Bernard, ten years of age, also in school ; 
Jerome William, six years old; Leo Joseph, a 
little lad of three years ; and Marguerite Ann, an 
infant. 

The parents are communicants of the Catholic 
church and Mr. Markey is identified with several 
fraternal and benevolent organizations, including 
the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of the 
Maccabees and the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given 
to the democracy and he was elected alderman of 
the city by a large majority from the fourth ward 
and is now serving as a member of the council. 
He is deeply interested in the work of public 
progress and improvement and exercises his offi- 
cial prerogatives for advancement along all ma- 
terial, intellectual and moral lines here. He and 
his family occupy a nice home at No. 151 5 Fuller 
street. 



FRED C. WEINBERG. 

Fred C. Weinberg, a mason contractor of Ann 
.\rbor, was born in Bridgewater township, this 
county, March 8, 1867. His father, Julius Wein- 
berg, was a native of Berlin, Germany, and came 
to .\nn Arbor prior to his marriage, establishing 
his home at Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, where he 
was joined in wedlock to ]\Iiss Barbara Acher- 
man, also a native of the fatherland. Soon after- 
ward, or in 1865, they came west to Washtenaw 
county, Michigan, settling in Bridgewater town- 
ship, where the father secured employment as 
a farm hand. He is now living in Ann Arbor. In 
the family were four children, of whom Fred C. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



263 



is the eldest, the others being Mrs. Rica Tess- 
mer, August and Carl. 

In the district schools Fred C. Weinberg mas- 
tered the elementary branches of learning, and as 
a preparation for life's work he learned the trade 
of a carpenter in Ann Arbor, serving a regular 
apprenticeship. He afterward engaged in all 
kinds of contract work, in carpentering for four 
years, and about three years ago turned his at- 
tention to the mason's trade, since which time 
he has done various kinds of contract work in this 
line, including the building of stone basements. 
brick walls, cement sidewalks and also the manu- 
facture of cement stone for building purposes. 
His life is characterized by unremitting industry 
and unfaltering diligence, and he is now prosper- 
ing in his chosen field of labor. 

In 1892 Mr. Weinberg was married, in .\nn 
Arbor, to Miss Mary Otto, who was born in Can- 
ada, and came to Michigan with her parents in 
her girlhood days, being a daughter of Henry 
Otto, of this city. They now have two children, 
born in Ann Arbor, Julius H. and Celia May. Mr. 
Weinberg is a member of the Maccabees tent, the 
Woodmen camp and the Odd Fellows lodge, and 
his brethren of these fraternities entertain for 
him that warm personal regard which arises from 
a recognition of true worth of character and an 
adherance to manly principles. 



JACOB HUMMEL. 

Jacob Hummel is engaged in the dairy business 
and also in horticultural pursuits. He makes his 
home in Chelsea and owns a good farm adjoining 
the corporation limits of the village. His birth 
occurred in Cook county, Illinois, on the 9th of 
July, 1838, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Urban) Hummel, both of whom were natives 
of Alsace, Germany, although the province at that 
time belonged to France. Previous to their mar- 
riage they crossed the Atlantic to the new world. 
Mr. Hummel hoped to enjoy better business op- 
portunities in this country and made his way 
to Detroit, arriving in that city about 1852. After 
a brief period he removed to Washtenaw county. 



where he was employed for four or five years, 
and then took up his abode in Madison, Cook 
county, Illinois, where he spent four years. On 
the expiration of that period he went west to 
'Kansas and took up a homestead in Allen county, 
but owing to ill health he returned to Michigan 
in 1863. He rented land in this state and thus 
continued farming until 1876, when with the capi- 
tal he had saved from his earnings he purchased 
a tract of eighty acres in Lyndon township, Wash- 
tenaw county. Upon this place he set out a small 
orchard and also conducted general farming and 
thus the years of his life passed in activity until 
he was called to his final rest on the 9th of Au- 
gT.ist, 1903, when seventy-six years of age. His 
wife had passed away on the 3d of December, 
1890. In their family were six children: John, 
who died in Kansas ; Qiauncy, a traveling man 
living in Chelsea ; Elizabeth, the wife of George 
Eder, of this village; Mary A., who married Ja- 
cob Stoll and died in 1893; and John J., a molder 
by trade. 

Jacob Hummel pursued his education in the 
schools of Michigan, being for one year a student 
in Chelsea LTnion school. He was married in 
1881 to Miss Mary A. Fitzsimmons and they had 
one daughter, Matilda E. The wife and mother 
died in 1883, and in 1886 Mr. Hummel was joined 
in wedlock to Miss Julia Weber, of Sylvan town- 
ship. 

Two vears after his marriage Mr. Hummel 
rented a dairy farm in Dexter township, which 
he conducted for five years, and then engaged in 
the drug business in connection with H. H. Fenn 
He was also proj)rietor of a store in Chelsea for 
two and a half years but in 1890 sold out and 
turned his attention to the hardware business, 
forming a partnership with C. E. Whitaker, un- 
der the firm style of Hummel & Whitaker. For 
two years they carried on a general hardware 
and farm implement business and on the expira- 
tion of that period Mr. Hummel sold out to his 
partner. This was in 1892. at which time he 
turned his attention to farming and dairj'ing. He 
rented land until 1901, when he purchased a 
dair\- business in the city and conducted it until 
1904. He then bought seventy acres of land 
near the corporation limits of Chelsea, and in fact 



264 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the liouse and barn are within the boundary lines. 
He is still engaged in the dairy business, milking 
fifteen cows and retailing the ].)roduct in Chelsea. 
He also has a young orchard of five acres planted 
to peach, apple, pear and plum trees and this is 
coming into good bearing and will prove a profit- 
able source of income to him. In addition to his 
farm propert)^ Mr. Hummel owns another house 
and lot in the village. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hummel by the second 
marriage have been born five children : Gene- 
vieve, Amelia, John, Mabel and Mary. Gene- 
vieve is a graduate of the Adrian Academy and 
is now a bookkeeper. 

Fraternally Mr. Hummel is connected with the 
Elks, the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of 
America, and the Knights of Columbus at .Ann 
Arbor, and has held prominent offices in both the 
Woodmen and the Maccabees. In politics he is 
a stalwart and earnest republican and has filled 
a number of offices with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to his constituents. He has served as 
highway commissioner, has been a member of the 
board of review, has been both township and vil- 
lage treasurer, in iqoo was census enumerator 
and in 1904 was elected supervisor of Sylvan 
township, and in 1905 was re-elected. In all the 
duties that have devolved upon him whether in 
business or political circles he has been found 
true and faithful and the success he has achieved 
is the merited reward of his own labor. 



ADAM BEATTIE. 



Although .Vdam F)eattie never resided in Wash- 
tenaw county he was a prominent man in the his- 
tory of the state, serving for two terms in the 
Michigan senate and leaving the impress of his 
individuality upon the legislative history of the 
commonwealth and his name became an honored 
one in ^Michigan. His widow has resided in .\nn 
Arbor since June, 1895, 'i'"! '^ "ow held in warm 
regard by a large circle of friends. 

Mr. IJeattie, a native of Seneca county, Xew 
York, was born on the 26th of November. 1833. 
His parents were of Scotch birth and ])arentage 



and in early life crossed the Atlantic to the Em- 
pire state, settling in Seneca county, where the 
father purchased a farm, which he continued to 
operate up In tlie time of his death, both he and 
his wife retaining their residence there until called 
to the home beyond. Their son, Adam Beattie, 
accpiired a good education in the best schools of 
Seneca county and after putting aside his text- 
books he went to the south, where he engaged in 
teaching school for several years, or until the out- 
break of the Civil war. Fie then returned to Sea- 
eca county and in 1861, responding to the county's 
call for aid. enlisted at Geneva, New York, as a 
member of the Twenty-sixth New York Battery. 
I le ]>articipated in a number of important engage- 
ments but was never wounded. He was, however, 
taken ill with smallpox and remained in a hospital 
at New ( )rleans for several months, receiving an 
honorable discharge in New Orelans at the close 
of the war. When hostilities had ceased he re- 
turned to the county of his birth, where lie re- 
mained for a short time but in 1866 came to Mich- 
igan, establishing his home at Ovid, Clinton 
county. He purchased a farm near that town and 
for several _\-ears thereafter gave his time and en- 
ergies to general agricultural pursuits. He later 
sold the property, however, and entered into part- 
nership with a Mr. Potter, of Ovid, in conjunction 
with whom he purchased a saw mill eighteen miles 
north of the town and for several years was 
engaged in the lumber business there. The firm 
also engaged in the buying of wheat and wool at 
Ovid for many years and this was one of the 
strong business combinations of the town. Mr. 
Beattie also became interested in the dry-goods 
business in t )vid and for a nunilier of years con- 
ducted his store with gratifying success. 

During this time, in Ovid, was celebrated the 
marriage of Mr. Beattie and Miss Mary E. Hand, 
a native of Yates county. New York, and a 
daughter of George and Rachel (DeKamp) 
Hand, both of whom were natives of the Empire 
state. Her father there followed the occupation 
of farming for a number of years but eventually 
sold his property there and removed to Clinton 
countv, IMichigan, where Ijoth he and his wife re- 
mained until called to the home beyond. By a 
former marriage Mr. Beattie had two children. 




ADA.\1 BEATTIE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



267 



One son, Mark Deattie, is well known in Ann Ar- 
bor, having pursued a full course in the state uni- 
versity here. He is an electrician and is now re- 
siding in Chicago at the age of twenty-eight years. 
Willard G. Beattie is with the Bours Coffee Com- 
pany, of Toledo, Ohio. 

As stated above, Mr. Beattie was closely and 
successfully associated with various business en- 
terprises in Ovid through a long period and 
eventually he was made postmaster of the town 
under appointment of Grover Cleveland although 
he was a republican in his political views. He 
acted as postmaster for two years and then on ac- 
count of ill health gave up the position and lived 
retired to the time of his death. 

In community affairs Mr. Beattie was promi- 
nent and influential and his fellow townsmen, rec- 
ognizing his worth and ability, frequently called 
him to positions of public trust. He voted with 
the republican party and took a very active and 
helpful interest in its work. In 1872 he was 
elected to represent his district in the state senate 
at Lansing and filled the office so capably that he 
was re-elected and served for two terms, during 
which time he was connected with important con- 
structive legislation and with the passage of a 
number of important measures. He gave to each 
question which came u]) for settlement his earnest 
and thoughtful consideration and his senatorial 
career was marked by a loyal patriotism that was 
above question. A valued representative of sev- 
eral fraternal organizations, he exemplified in his 
life the beneficent spirit of the Masonic lodge and 
also maintained pleasant relations with his old 
army comrades through his membership in the 
Grand .\rmy Post at Ovid. He passed away 
June 26, 1S93, '^"f nnany years will have been 
added to the cycle of the centuries before he will 
be forgotten by those with whom he was asso- 
ciated both because of his political prominence 
and his business success, which was so honorably 
and worthily won. Moreover in his home and 
social relations he commanded the friendship and 
respect of all and he was justly classed with the 
representative and honored residents of his 
county and state. 

Following the death of her husband Mrs. Beat- 
tie continued to reside in Ovid until June, 1895, 



w hen she sold her property there and removed to 
Ann Arbor to educate her son. At that time she 
purchased her present fine residence at No. 1355 
Wilmot street, where she has since resided. The 
family attended the Congregational church at 
Ovid and she now worships with that denomina- 
tion in Ann Arbor. 



CLARA MON L. PRAY. 

Claramon L. Pray, representing mercantile in- 
terests in Ann Arbor as a member of the firm 
of Miller & Pray, dealers in groceries at No. 300 
A Fain street, was born at Chester Hills, Connecti- 
cut, on the 2d of June. 1867. His father. Alfred 
Pray, is a native of Brooklyn, Connecticut, and 
for many years followed general agricultural pur- 
suits, being also engaged in the grocery business 
at Brooklyn for twenty-one years, but is now liv- 
ing a retired life. He married Miss Angest 
Parkhurst. a native of Connecticut, and unto 
them were born four children, but the eldest died 
in childhood, the other being Claramon L., Clara 
A. and (iracia Andrus. For his second wife the 
father chose Martha Moody, and they have three 
children : .\lice, Marion and Clinton. 

Claramon L. Pray remained a resident of the 
east until sixteen years of age, when he became 
a resident of \\'ashtenaw county, and for a num- 
ber of years he has figured prominently in com- 
mercial circles of .\nn .\rbor, being now engaged 
in the grocery business at 300 Main street, North, 
as a member of the firm of Miller & Pray. They 
have an excellent and constantly increasing trade 
and their carefully selected and well arranged 
stock of goods, their reasonable prices and their 
honorable desire to please their customers se- 
cured them a liberal patronage. 

In 1891 Mr. Pray was united in marriage to 
Miss Bertha Alber, of Ann Arbor. Having no 
children of their own. they are rearing an adopted 
daughter, a beautiful little child, Ninona, who is 
three years of age and of whom they are very 
fond. 

^Ir. Pray is a member of the Knights of the 
Maccabees, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 



268 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



lows, the American Insurance Union and Home 
Guards of America, and has occupied all of the 
chairs in the last named. He was also elected 
a delegate to the grand lodge of Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, which had its meeting at 
Benton Harbor, Michigan, and is now treasurer 
in the local organization. His religious faith is 
indicated by his membership in the Liaptist church. 
He is a man of high standing in public life, de- 
voted to the welfare and progress of his city, as 
is proven by his co-operation in many measures 
for the general good. In his business affairs he 
has prospered and his life record proves that 
success is ambition's answer. 



EDWARD D. CAMPBELL. 

Edward D. Campbell, a member of the faculty 
of the University of Michigan, who since 1890 
has been a teacher of chemistry, being made full 
professor of chemical engineering in 1903, and 
in 1905 succeeded Dr. Albert B. Prescott, as di- 
rector of the chemical laboratory, was born in De- 
troit, Michigan, September 9, 1863, and is a rep- 
resentative of one of the oldest families of New 
York. His paternal great-grandfather, Thomas 
Campbell, was born in LTlster county. New York, 
in 1740, married Elizabeth Cropsey, and died at 
Stillwater, New York, in 1825. Their son, 
Henry M. Campbell, born in Ulster county. New 
York, in 1783, became a merchant of Bufifalo and 
a local judge there. Following his marriage he 
removed westward to Detroit, where he again 
engaged in merchandising and he likewise held 
various offices of public trust in the city. He 
served in Seely's command in the war of 1812 
and his patriotic spirit was manifest not only in 
military circles but in his prompt and faithful dis- 
charge of political duties. He married Lois Bush- 
nell, who was born in Vermont, in 1784, and his 
death occurred in Detroit in 1842, while his wife 
passed away there in 1876. In their family were 
two sons and three daughters : Henry M. ; Va- 
leria; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Sam- 
uel T. Douglass, judge of the circuit court of 
Wayne county ; James Valentine ; and l\Iary, the 



wife of Professor William P. Wells. All have 
now passed awa}-. 

James V. Campbell, born in Buffalo, New 
York, in 1823, died in Detroit, Michigan, in 
1890. He accompanied his parents on their re- 
moval from the Empire state to Detroit in 1826, 
and was educated in private schools of that and 
other cities. Later he studied in Detroit for the 
practice of law and at the notably early age of 
thirty-four years was elected to the bench of the 
supreme court of Michigan, serving thereon up 
to the time of his death. He was one of the 
ablest members that graced the courts of Michi- 
gan and in addition to his ability in law was a man 
of broad, intellectual culture and attainments, 
greatly esteemed by all and is regarded as one of 
the prominent men of his time. He was like- 
wise successful financially. He married Cornelia 
Hotchkiss, who was born in Lewiston, New York, 
in 1824, and died in 1888, at the age of sixty-four 
yrears. Their family numbered five sons and one 
daughter: Cornelia L. ; Henry M.; James Valen- 
tine, Jr., who died in 1894, at the age of thirty- 
eight years ; Charles Hotchkiss ; Douglass H. ; 
and Edward D. 

Having entered the public schools of Detroit 
at the usual age Professor Edward D. Campbell 
passed through successive grades until he had 
completed the high school course by graduation 
with the class of 1881. He then entered the L^ni- 
versity of Michigan and was graduated in the 
class of 1886 with the degree of Bachelor of Sci- 
ence in chemistry. He then accepted a position 
as chemist with the Ohio Iron Company, at 
Zanesville, Ohio, where he remained for a year, 
and in 1887 became chemist of the Sharon Iron 
Company, at Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he also 
spent a year. In 1888 he accepted a similar posi- 
tion with the Davton Coal & Iron Company, at 
Dayton, Tennessee, and not only acted as chemist 
but also as an assistant manager. His duties were 
therefore very arduous and complicated and to 
their discharge he devoted his energies vmtil the 
fall of 1890, when he was called to fill the chair 
of Professor Cheever in analytical chemistry and 
metallurgy', since which time he has been con- 
nected with the University of Michigan as a 
member of its faculty. He was made junior pro- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



269 



fessor of analytical chemistry in 1895; in 1902 
was made full professor of chemical engineering 
and analytical chemistry: and in 1905 succeeded 
Dr. Albert B. Prescott as director of the chemi- 
cal laboratory being at the head of the chemical 
work in the university. 

Professor Campl>ell has maintained his resi- 
dence in Ann Arbor since 1890. He was mar- 
ried in 1888, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Jennie 
M. Ives, a native of Detroit, Michigan, and a 
daughter of Caleb and Mary L. (Allen) Ives, the 
latter a daughter of Marvin Allen, who was one 
of the regents of the University of Michigan 
from 1843 until 1852. Professor and Mrs. Camp- 
bell have six children, Cornelia Hotchkiss, Ed- 
ward D., Jr., Mary L. I., Jane Allen, James Val- 
entine, and Charles Duncan, all born in Ann Ar- 
bor, with the exception of the eldest daughter, 
whose birth occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 
family attend the Episcopal church and Professor 
Campbell is a republican in his political affiliation. 



HENRY BLITON. 



Henry Bliton, who for eighteen years has been 
engaged in the contracting business in Ann Ar- 
bor, is a native of New York, his birth having 
occurred in Sodus Point, Wayne county, on the 
2ist of July, 1851. His parents were Elijah ^\'. 
and Eunice (Phelps) Bliton. The father, who 
was also a contractor through many years of his 
business career, likewise devoted a part of his 
time to the work of the Methodist ministry, and 
his influence in behalf of the church was of no 
restricted order. His wife died in 1864, and he 
passed away in 1865, and his memory yet re- 
mains as a blessed benediction to those who knew 
him. In the family were three children, but one 
died in infancy. The surviving brothers, Albert 
S. Bliton, who is the ptiblisher of the IMedford 
Mail, at Medford, Oregon, and the subject of our 
sketch. 

Henry Bliton, the oldest of the family, was 
brought to Michigan in his early youth. He ac- 
quired his education largely in the schools of 
Clyde, New York. In the spring of 1870, when 
IS 



about nineteen years of age, he went to Saline, 
where he worked at the carpenter's trade, and 
after being employed as a journeyman for a time 
he embarked in business on his own account. In 
1882 he came to Ann Arbor, where he has been 
engaged in the contracting business for eighteen 
years. His long continuance in one field of ac- 
tivity is indicative of the success that has crowned 
his efforts. He was awarded the contracts for 
the erection of many fine structures here, which 
now stand as monuments to his enterprise, skill 
and business ability. 

In 1883 Mr. Bliton was tmited in marriage to 
Miss Lizzie Earned, whose family were promi- 
nent in Northfield township. They now have a 
most interesting family of four daughters : Eu- 
nice Elizabeth, nineteen years of age, who is now 
a senior in the high school at Ann .\rbor ; Ester, 
eleven years of age ; Alice and Rachel. The 
family home is a beautifid residence at No. 917 
Olivia avenue, in one of the most attractive por- 
tions of the city. Mr. Bliton gives his political 
allegiance to the republican party, and for one 
term served as alderman of his ward, but has 
preferred that others hold office. However, he 
keeps well informed on the questions and issues 
of the dav, as every true American citizen should 
do, and is therefore able to uphold his political 
position by intelligent argument. He is a promi- 
nent worker in the Methodist church and his 
influence is always given on the side of right, 
progress, reform and improvement. 



LOUIS ROHDE. 



Louis Rohde, representing the business inter- 
ests of Ann Arbor as a dealer in coal, wood, lime 
and building materials, and possessing an enter- 
prising and determined spirit that classes him 
with the representative citizens here, was born in 
Ageln, Madgeburg, Prussia, Germany, on the 
19th of January, 1843, ^rid is a son of Louis and 
Sophie Rohde, both of whom were natives of 
that country, and are now living in Ann Arbor, 
Michigan. 



270 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Louis Rohde spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth in the land of his birth and acquired his 
education in its pubHc schools, but in early man- 
hood he was attracted to America by its excel- 
lent opportunities and advantages, and in 1862 
he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making- 
his way direct to Ann Arbor. In his native coun- 
try he had learned the trade of manufacturing 
fur. He is entirely a self-made man, deserving 
all the praise that that term implies, for he came 
to this country in very limited financial circum- 
stances and has steadily worked his way upward. 
He began as a peddler of tinware and other com- 
modities, going through the county in order to 
sell the goods. In the early years of his residence 
in Ann Arbor he also worked in a tannery and 
was engaged in the manufacture of mittens and 
furs. Later he turned his attention to the fur 
business, and in 1877 he embarked in the lime, 
coal and wood business on his own account. 
From the beginning the new enterprise prospered 
and he is now the owner of two large yards 
and an up town ofifice in Ann .\rbor. Here he 
deals in coal, wood, lime and building materials, 
the yards being located on West Huron street 
and on Madison street, while the city office is at 
No. 220 East Huron street. He has secured the 
support of many patrons, so that his trade is 
constantly increasing and has long since reached 
a volume that makes it a very profitable industry. 

In 1872 Mr. Rohde was united in marriage 
to Miss Magdalena Spathelf. of Freedom, Wash- 
tenaw county, and unto them have lieen born 
seven children, all of whom are yet living. 
William, the eldest, pursued his education in the 
schools of Ann Arbor, and when nineteen years 
of age entered business with his father, this asso- 
ciation having since been continued. In 1899 
he married Charlotte Reichenecker. He is a 
member of the city council of Ann Arbor and 
otherwise prominent in public affairs, being rec- 
ognized as the champion of all progressive move- 
ments. He is serving as a trustee in the Bethle- 
hem Evangelical church, in which he holds mem- 
bership, and he belongs to the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, in which lie has filled all of 
the offices. August is in the employ of the 
United States government in the mail service. 



Albert, engaged in teaming, is in charge of the 
streets of Ann Arbor. Gustav is a veterinary 
surgeon, practicing in this city. Mrs. Clara At- 
well is living in .A.nn Arbor and her husband is 
United States surveyor. F'aulina is the wife of 
Otto Andrews, of .\nn Arbor. Charlotte com- 
pletes the family, and resides with her parents 
in a beautiful home at No. 600 West Huron street. 
For forty-three years Mr. Rohde has been a resi- 
dent of this city, and his business career has been 
marked by consecutive advancement, by the utili- 
zation of opportunity and by successful accom- 
plishment. His prosperity has been well merited 
and his history can not fail to prove of interest 
showing, as it does, that force of character, that 
unfaltering determination may constitute the basis 
of a desirable and honorable success. 



PAUL G. TESSMER. 



Paul G. Tessmer, proprietor of the University 
Boat Livery, where he is engaged in the livery 
of canoes and rowboats, and is also manufacturer 
of these, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on the 
loth of December, 1866. His father, Paul Tess- 
mer, likewise a native of Germany, crossed the 
Atlantic to the United States in 1870. He is a 
mason contractor now living in Ann Arbor. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Rosie Janke, 
also a native of Germany, passed away in 1904. 
In their famil}- were seven children : Mrs. 
Amelia Curtis, who is living in Ann Arbor : Au- 
gust, a mason contractor, residing in this city ; 
Mrs. Augusta Sanford, of Rochester, New York ; 
Paul G. ; Charles G.. who is living in Portland, 
Maine ; Matilda, of Aim .\rbor : and Mrs. Emma 
More, whose home is in Webster township, 
Washtenaw county. 

Paul G. Tessmer was only about three years 
of age when brought by his parents to the United 
States, and has since been a resident of Ann Ar- 
bor. At the usual age he entered the public 
schools and passed through successive grades un- 
til he had acquired a good English education. 
After putting aside his text-books he engaged in 
the grocery business, to which he devoted his 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



271 



energies for fourteen years, meeting with good 
success in that undertaking. About eight years 
ago he built the boat houses on a fine location on 
the Huron river, and now in his boat livery he 
receives a liberal and profitable patronage from 
the students of the university and the residents of 
Ann Arbor. There are many beautiful views 
along the river, so that a row or a sail on this 
stream is a most attractive pleasure, and Air. 
Tessmer has one hundred and sixty canoes which 
he has himself builded, and also some forty row- 
boats. 

J\Ir. Tessmer was married January 23, 1883. 
to Miss Frederica Weinberg, a daughter of Jul- 
ius \\'einberg, a sea-faring man, n(.i\v living re- 
tired. He belongs to the American Insurance 
Union and to the Bethlehem Lutheran church, 
while his political allegiance is given to the de- 
mocracy. He has a wide acquaintance in this 
city, where almost his entire life has been passed, 
and where he has so directed his labors as to 
win success and the regard of his fellowmen. His 
worth is widely acknowledged and his business 
ability is indicated by the important enterprise 
which he is now controlline. 



HERMANN MARQUARDT. 

Hermann Marquardt, a representative of the 
building interests of Ann Arbor, who as a ma- 
son contractor has been identified with industrial 
pursuits here for six years, belongs to that class 
of worthy citizens that the fatherland has fur- 
nished to the new world. The German-American 
element has always been a strong one in our 
civilization and in the material progress of the 
country, and Mr. Marquardt possesses many of 
the strong and salient characteristics of his Ger- 
man ancestrw He was born in western Prussia 
on the 1st of April, 1868, his parents being Carl 
and Rosa (Kopf) Marquardt. The father was a 
railroad station master and retained his residence 
in Germany up to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1898. His widow still survives and is 
yet living in that country. In their family were six 
children, of whom four are vet living: Hermann; 



Mrs. Augusta Fenska, who is living in Germany ; 
Carl, who is employed by his brother in Ann 
Arbor ; and Frederick, also residing in Germany. 

Hermann Marquardt spent the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in the land of his nativity and ac- 
quired his education in the public schools. At- 
tracted by the opportunities of the new world 
he made arrangements to leave the fatherland in 
1890, and after crossing the Atlantic to the new 
world came direct to Ann Arbor, where he has 
since made his home, covering a period of fifteen 
years. He learned the mason's trade under the 
direction of John Koch, by whom he was em- 
ployed for eleven years, and then began business 
on his own accoimt, having now been known as 
a mason contractor of Ann Arbor for the past 
six years. He has won for himself a creditable 
position in trade circles and secures many good 
contracts so that he is closely associated with 
building operations here. 

In 1891 Mr. Marquardt was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Ida Gallnek, also a native of western 
Prussia, and their marriage has been blessed with 
six children, namely Ella, Walter, Elsbat, Olga, 
Alvena and Ernest. The first four are now at- 
tending school in Ann Arbor, Mr. Marquardt 
owns a good home at No. 452 Seventh street, 
South, and he does everything in his power to 
promote the welfare and enhance the happiness 
of his wife and children. It is for this purpose 
that he applies himself assiduously to his business 
interests that he may give them a good home and 
the comforts of life. He belongs to some of the 
local German societies and is an active member 
of the Bethlehem Lutheran church. Since be- 
coming a naturalized American citizen his politi- 
cal allegiance has supported the republican party 
and its principles and upon that ticket he has been 
elected alderman from the second ward. He is 
public spirited and devoted to the welfare and 
upbuilding of the city. Moreover he is a self- 
made man whose advancement in the business 
world is the direct result of his enterprise, close 
tipplication and capable management. He has 
never had occasion to regret his determination 
to seek a home in America for here he has found 
the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, 
are always open to ambitious young men, and 



27? 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



gradually he has worked his way upward until 
he is now in possession of a comfortable compe- 
tence. 



EBENEZER M. COXKLIN, M. D. 

Anions;- the native sons of Manchester, who are 
now residents of the village, is Dr. Ebenezer M. 
Conklin. who was born here in 1855. and is now 
successfully engaged in the practice of medicine 
and surgery. His parents were Amariah and 
Lovina A. (Carpenter) Conklin, both of whom 
were natives of the Empire state. The father 
came to Michigan in 1832 with his parents. Dr. 
Ebenezer H. and Lucy Conklin, who located in 
Sharon township. The former was a practicing 
physician, and after removing to Michigan, en- 
tered a tract of land in Sharon township, Washte- 
naw^ county, where he engaged in practice, and 
also superintended his farming interests. There 
he resided up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in June, 1851. when he was sixty-one 
years of age. 

Amariah Conklin, reared under the parental 
roof, remained upon the old family homestead 
until after the death of his father, when the farm 
was divided and he took up his abode in Man- 
chester. He, too, was a representative of the 
medical fraternity and practiced his profession 
in Manchester from 1849 to 1892, or for forty- 
three years. He was widely known in this sec- 
tion of the country, and had an extensive patron- 
age, his capability winning him a large share of 
business in his profession. He was president of 
the village for a number of years, occupying that 
position until within a short time prior to his 
death, which occurred on the 25th of May, 1892, 
when he was seventy years of age. He voted the 
republican ticket, and his fitness for leadership 
led to his selection for a number of public trusts. 
In addition to the village presidency, he served 
as justice of the peace. He was a man of large 
heart, of broad and generous charity, and his 
life was filled with many good deeds. Fraternally 
he was connected with the Odd Fellows, and at 
the time of the Civil war he served as a recruit- 
ing officer. In all life's relations he was loval to 



the trust reposed in him, and he looked upon life 
and its duties from a broad and humanitarian 
standpoint, there being nothing narrow, con- 
tracted or sordid in his nature. His widow, yet 
living in Manchester, is now seventy-one years 
of age. She came to Michigan with her parents, 
^Morgan and Betsey Carpenter, who were pioneer 
settlers of Washtenaw county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Conklin had four children : Ebenezer M., of this 
review : A. Benjamin, a practicing physician of 
Ambler, Pennsylvania ; L. Sophia, who is now the 
widow of Ira Glover, and resides with her 
mother; and Julia M., a teacher in the jManches- 
ter schools. 

In his early youth Dr. Conklin, of this review, 
lived upon his father's farm, and was a district- 
school student until thirteen years of age, when 
he continued his studies in the Manchester high 
school, of which he is an alumnus of the class of 
1873. He read medicine for a year with his fa- 
ther, and in the fall of 1874 entered Bennett 
Medical College of Chicago, from which he was 
graduated on the completion of a course in medi- 
cine and surgery with the class of 1876. He lo- 
cated for practice in Manchester, and after two 
and a half years, removed to Tecumseh, where he 
remained for eight years. During that period he 
pursued a post-graduate course in the Eclectic 
Medical Institute in Cincinnati, and was gradu- 
ated therefrom in 1881. He also spent three years 
in active practice in Kansas, and then returned to 
Manchester in 1889, since which time he has lived 
in this village, where he has been very success- 
ful in his eflorts to relieve suffering and restore 
health. He is a member of the State Eclectic 
Medical Association, of which he has been both 
president and secretary, and for the past twelve 
years he has been local surgeon for the Lake 
Shore Railroad Company. He has a large private 
practice that is indicative of the general trust re- 
posed in him ; and such a trust is the logical out- 
come of ability, as demonstrated in the perform- 
ance of the daily duties of the practitioner. Dr. 
Conklin is also a director in the Peoples Bank of 
Manchester. 

In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. 
Conklin and Miss Kate Burton, of Clinton, Mich- 
igan, where she was born in 1858, a daughter of 




AMARIAH CONKLIN. 




DR. E. lAI. CONKLIN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



277 



Albert G. and Elizabeth Burton, the former a 
carriagemaker. Dr. and Mrs. Conkhn have one 
son, Frank C, who is a student in school. Mrs. 
Conklin belongs to the Episcopal church, and, 
like her husband, shares in the high regard of 
many friends. The Doctor is also prominent in 
local Masonic circles, having been at different 
times presiding officer in the lodge, chapter, coun- 
cil and Star chapter : Mrs. Conklin also being a 
zealous member of the Eastern Star. In politics 
he is a republican, liberal in his views. He has 
served on the school board for twelve years, and 
was a trustee of the village for two years. In 
Manchester and Washtenaw county he has a 
wide acquaintance, for almost his entire life has 
been spent within its borders, and he has fully 
sustained the excellent reputation which was 
liorne bv the grandfather and father in connection 
with the medical fraternity. 



SAMUEL ALEXANDER. 

Samuel Alexander, author and scientist, was 
born in Logan county, Ohio, January 6, 1841. 
His father, Samuel Alexander, Sr., died when the 
son was two years of age. From early youth 
he was possessed of an insatiable thirst for 
knowledge that has led him constantly upward to 
his present advanced position in the scientific 
world. He lived and studied in the wilderness 
of Ohio (then a pioneer district) until fourteen 
years of age, after which he removed to Calhoun 
county. Michigan, where he worked his way 
through the district schools. He afterward spent 
three terms as a student in an academy and met 
his tuition and e.xpenses of the course through 
earnest and indefatigable labor. He studied the 
rudiments of science, grammar, arithmetic and 
chemistry. Between the ages of si.xteen and eigh- 
teen years he was employed on a farm, giving 
all of his leisure time to study and investigation, 
and at the age of eighteen he was granted a third 
grade certificate to teach. At that time he en- 
tered upon the active work of the profession, and 
with the money thus gained he ]iaid his tuition 
in the Michigan .State .Agricultural College for 



one term. On entering that institution he found 
that he was ahead of the freshmen work, but not 
far enough advanced for the sophomore class, so 
that he was conditioned on some studies, and 
after making them up was admitted to the sopho- 
more class. While attending the Agricultural 
College he worked for his board, and at the same 
time carried si.x studies. The school at that time 
was inferior to most high schools at the present 
day in the matter of its curriculum and methods 
of instruction. In the winter of 1860-61 Mr. 
.\le.xander had charge of a school, which brought 
him a financial return of twenty dollars per 
month : but he was paid in wild cat money, on 
which he realized not more than twentv-five per 
cent. He then returned to college and entered 
u]i(in the study of advanced mathematics and 
chemistrv. 

Following the outbreak of the Civil war. how- 
ever, Mr. .\le.xander responded to the country's 
call for troops, enlisting as a member of Com- 
pany G, Third Michigan Infantry. He remained 
in the ranks for a year and then in i8fi2, dur- 
ing the Penin.sular campaign, was assigned to spe- 
cial duty under General Phil Kearney, and made 
chief topographical engineer in Kearney's di- 
vision. He served under that commander until his 
death, and later, was with Generals Stoneman, 
Birney, Sickles, French, Hancock and others, be- 
ing made chief topographical engineer of the 
Third .\rmy Corps in the spring of 1863. During 
the battle of Gettysburg he completed a map of the 
entire field of the last three days of the fight. He 
was recommended by different generals under 
whom he served to the governor of the state for 
a commission, which, however, was never re- 
ceived. The recommendations of French and 
Sickles were as follows : 

He.\dou.\rters Third .\rmy Corps, 

March 12, 1863. 
To His Excellenc}', .\ustin Blair, 
Governor of Michigan, 

Dear Sir: Samuel .\lexander, a private of 
Company G, Third Michigan Infantry, has been 
attached to my headquarters as topographer for 
nearly a year. I have had no other assistance in 
that branch of the engineers, and he has per- 
formed the dutv entireK' to mv satisfaction. 



278 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



The chief of the topographical staff at the head- 
quarters of the army considered Alexander's con- 
tributions to that of^ce so valuable that he some- 
time since requested me to aid in obtaining for 
him a commission. 

He eminently deserves it, and I doubt whether 
there is in any army of the world in a private's 
jacket more capacity, energy and correct deport- 
ment than are possessed by him. 

I respectfully urge these high claims because 
they are well deserved. I have the honor to re- 
main, Your Excellency's obedient servant, 

Wm. H. French, Maj. Gen'l Vols. 

I heartily unite with General French in recom- 
mending Alexander for a commission. His serv- 
ices and talents entitle him to this high recogni- 
tion, and his usefulness to the service will be 
thereby much increased. I hope it may be con- 
venient for his excellency, the governor of Mich- 
igan, to promote this accomplished and meritori- 
otis soldier. Very respectfully, 

D. E. Sickles, Maj. Gen'l. 

When Mr. Alexander returned home from the 
war he went to the adjutant general's office and 
asked for his recommendation. General Robert- 
son handed it to him with the remark, "Young 
man, that is the finest recommendation that ever 
came from the field to this office." When asked 
why the commission was not issued, he replied 
that it did not come in regular line. An agree- 
ment had been entered into between the colonels 
of the regiments in the field and the military au- 
thorities of the state that no man should be com- 
missioned in a regiment without the colonel's 
recommendation. The colonels took the position 
that they would recommend no one for a com- 
mission in their regiments who had earned it out- 
side of the regiment. These regulations deprived 
this meritorious soldier of the promotion which 
he had so justly earned. Being young and un- 
known in the state, he had no political backing 
to secure for him his just rewards. 

During the war Mr. Alexander's aid was de- 
sired at military headquarters because of his ef- 
ficient service and the excellent work which he 
did in the special department of his activity. 
Captain Paine of the Engineering Corps at armv 



headquarters made Mr. Alexander's work the 
basis for his maps, finding them so nearly per- 
fect. Aside from his special duties. "Mr. Alexan- 
der took part in a nmiiber of important engage- 
ments, including the first and second battles of 
P.ull Run, Chancellorsville and the campaign un- 
der General Grant from the Rapidan river to 
Richmond. In these campaigns he did much 
service as guide and in constructing defensive 
earthworks. At the second battle of Pull Run, 
during the retiremenJ^ of the forces, his horse was 
sJiot, and he then sat down and began to studv 
geometry. While waiting for another horse an 
officer came along and inquired what he was do- 
ing. On receiving his answer he remarked, 

"This is a h of a place to study geometry!" 

During McClellan's Peninsular campaign. Mr. 
Alexander botanized much of the countrv over 
which the army passed. In the winter while the 
army was inactive, he studied mathematics and as- 
tronomy, using as a text-book Bowditch's Navi- 
gation, which he picked up in a deserted house. 
Following his service in the Civil war Mr. 
Alexander returned to Michigan and for a time 
had charge of the high school at St. Johns and 
other towns. He is a deep and earnest student in 
the sciences and languages, widely recognized as 
a fine Spanish scholar, and has considerable 
knowledge of several other languages, including 
the Anglo-Saxon and middle English. His life 
has been devoted to the acquirement and dis- 
semination of knowledge ; and he is the author 
of various articles on meteorology, while for eigh- 
teen years he Avas an observer for the govern- 
ment. In 1885 he wrote and published in tlie 
American Meteorological Journal, then edited by 
Professor M. W. Harrington, an article entitled. 
"The Thermol Belts and Cold Islands of South- 
eastern Michigan." This has been read as far 
as meteorology has been studied, and he has been 
extensively quoted. Professor William M. Davis, 
of Harvard College, says that it has done much 
for the advancement of knowledge concerning the 
relationship of geology and topography to clima- 
tology. This article started a new line of thought 
and investigation among the meteorologists of the 
weather bureau at Washington. From it a broad 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



279 



generalization was made to the et¥ect that most 
weather conditions exist in belts and islands, 
which are established by the local topography of 
the regions in which they are found. In many 
cases climatic conditions depend more on local 
topography than on latitude. It was discovered 
that we have rain islands, drought islands, early 
and late frost islands, cloud and other islands, all 
of which come under the generalization based on 
Mr. Alexander's famous article. 

As a scientist Jilr. Alexander has become the 
puer and co-laborer of many of the ablest men of 
the country, and moreover, is entitled to special 
distinction in the fact that his education has l)een 
acquired entirely through his own labors and 
under the most adverse conditions, as he lacked 
good text-books. In the study of languages his 
dictionaries and vocabularies in readers have been 
very incomplete, making it impossible in many 
cases to understand the text. 

Deprived of the advantages which are afforded 
most boys, receiving no help in the payment of 
his tuition, he mastered a college course, and his 
research and investigation have been carried con- 
tinuously forward while carrying on large farm- 
ing and fruit growing operations. His condition 
in youth was that of almost dire poverty, but with 
mental force and determination that have enabled 
him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in 
his path, he has advanced steadily in those walks 
of life demanding strong intellectuality, yet 
bringing to the intellect the richest wisdom. 

■Mr. .\lexander, in addition to other researches, 
has made some interesting discoveries in botany, 
including the discovery of a new specie of oak 
trees in the forest of Michigan, between Ann ,\r- 
bor and Port Huron, and extending as far south 
as Tennessee. Professor Britton named this oak 
in honor of its discoverer Ouercus Alexanderi. 
He has also found several new species of herbal 
plants in and around .\nn Arbor within the last 
year. Some years ago he made for the Psychical 
Researcli Society of London, England, a collec- 
tion of remarkable psychical experiences among 
his friends and neighbors, and wmte ujion this 
subject several articles for publication, which ex- 
cited great interest and were largely quoted in 
the j)ulilic press. The tenor of these articles was 



to the effect that remarkable psychical experi- 
ences occur in all places, at all times and among 
all classes of people : they are not confined to the 
long ago and the far away. 



AARON C. HUSS. 



Aaron C. Huss has a large contracting busi- 
ness in Ann .Vrbor, and the success which has 
attended him in his building operations is indi- 
cated by his beautiful home situated at No. sfx) 
First street. He is yet a young man, and un- 
doubtedly the future holds in store for him still 
greater successes. His birth occurred in Saline 
township, this count}-, on the 2d of .\ugust, 
1867, and he comes of German lineage, for his 
father. Jcihn Huss. was a native of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, an.d became one of the earlv settlers 
of this county. Here he purchased one hundred 
and forty-four acres of land which he devel- 
oped into an excellent farm, coritinuing its culti- 
vation and improvement up to the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1897. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Christine Zeller, is now 
living in .\nn Arbor. In their family were eleven 
children, of wdiom nine are }et living as follows : 
Louisa, the wife of Will Nisslev, of Saline : 
George, who follov\'S farming near Dexter, Michi- 
gan ; Aaron C. of this review: Mrs. Lydia Will- 
shirc, of .Scio, this count\' ; Mar\-, who is living 
in Ann Arbor: Clara, the wife of Albert Lutz. 
a farmer residing on the old Huss homestead : 
John and llertha, also of this city, and Emanuel, 
on the homestead farm. 

.Aaron C. Huss acquired his education in the 
public schools of Saline, Pittsfield towmship, and 
afterward spent some years upon the home farm, 
where he early became inured to the labors that 
fall to the lot of the agriculturist, working in the 
fields and meadows during the summer months 
when not occupied with the duties of the school 
room. He continued to give his time and ener- 
gies to agricultural inirsuits after putting aside 
his text-books, and was thus engaged until 1887, 
when he came to Ann .\rbor, where he worked 
at the carj>enter's trade. He was thus employed 



28c1 



PAST AND I'RliSEXT OF W ASH IK. \ AW CULXTV. 



for a long p<?riod. but for the past five years has 
been engrageil in business on his own account as 
a contractor and builder under the firm style of 
Huss & Xiethamer. He now has a larg-e contract 
business because of his thorough understanding 
of the trade, his excellent workmanship and his 
fidelity to the terms of the contract. 

In 1893 ix~curred the marriage of Mr. lluss 
and Miss Mary Brown, of Saline. Michigan, 
a daughter of George and Mary (l^thner) 
l>rown. the former a well known agriculturist 
of this part of the state. In their family are three 
children, Oscar. Raymond and Esther. In his 
fraternal relations Mr. Huss is a Modem Wood- 
man and in politics an active democrat, while 
his religious faith is indicated by his membership 
in the Bethlehem Lutheran church. He owns 
a beautiful home at 560 First street, .\nn .\rbor, 
where he is living with his family. In his business 
life he has realized that "there is no excellence 
without labiir." and his history furnishes another 
proof of that fact that "honesty is the best policy." 
He has worked persistently and energetically as 
the years have gone by. and his fidelity and strong 
purpose have been the foundation upon which he 
has builded the superstructure for his success. 



CH.XRLIE MILLS. 



Charlie Mills, a leading farmer and stock 
raiser of Pittsfield township, living on section 6. 
was born on the (ilace where he yet resides. Au- 
gust 11. 1858. His father, Stephen Mills, was a 
native of Morristown. Xew Jersey, and was but 
three months old when his father, Daniel H. 
Mills, removed from that state to Phelps, On- 
tario count}-. Xew York. The grandfather was 
a native of Connecticut, and continued his resi- 
dence in the Empire state until 1827, when, ac- 
companied by his son. Stephen Mills, he came to 
Michigan and purchased one hundred and twen- 
ty-two acres of land that is now the home of 
Charlie Mills, of this review. Stephen ^^ills. 
after arriving at years of maturity, was married 
to Miss Clenima McKnii^ht. a native of the state 



of Xew York, born F"ebruary 6. 1820. She was 
about ten years her husband's junior, his birth 
having occurred in 1801). They were worthy and 
consistent members of the Methodist b'piscojial 
church; and in his political views Mr, Mills was 
a stanch republican. He served for many years 
as highway commissioner, and was interested in 
the work of the party, doing all in his power to 
secure its success. His life was devoted to agri- 
cultural pursuits, and his energy and determina- 
tion constituted the foundation uy>ou which he 
buildeil his prosperity. Lino liini and his wife 
were born seven sons. George B., the eldest, mar- 
ried Matilda \"reland and has three children, 
James married Maria Loucks, and has five chil- 
dren. Llark married Mary Reives, makes his 
home in .\mi .\rbor. and has one child. Frank 
E., living at Howell, Michig^an, married tsadore 
Crane, and has three children. Myron 11., who 
married Lydia Ide, and has five children, is liv- 
ing in .\nn .\rbor. Charlie is the next in the 
family. Fred .\.. living in Toledo. Ohio, married 
Julia Baseon, and has two children. 

Mr. Mills, of this review, has spent his entire 
life on tlie farm which is yet his home ; and in the 
public schools he acquired his education. In the 
summer months he worked in the fields, aiding in 
the cultivation of the crops from the time of early 
spring planting until the harvest was over, in the 
late autumn. He has never desired to enter de- 
partments of business, being content to give his 
attention to agricultural pursuits, which. George 
Washington says, "is the most useful and the 
most honorable occupation of man." He does an 
excellent dairy business, keeping a large herd 
of fine milk cows ; and he has a steam separator. 
He milks twenty-five cows and sells the cream to 
the milk dealer. His farm comprises one hun- 
dred an^l twenty-two acres of land, on which he 
has a beautiful home : and there are also commo- 
dious barns and substantial stock sheds. In fact, 
there are no further conveniences needed, for ev- 
erything about the place is in keeping with mod- 
ern ideas of progress and improvemein along 
agricultural lines. Mr. Mills is practical in his 
work, and therefore accomplishes results, and is 
today one of the substantial farmers of the com- 
mimitv. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



281 



Jn 1885 was; celebrated his marriaj^e to Miss 
Christina StoU, who was born in the city of Ann 
Arlxjr in 1863, and is a daughter of Uavid Stoll, 
who was born in Germany and came to America 
at an early date. He has resided in Ann Arbf^>r 
for many years, where he is a prominent contrac- 
tor. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mills have been Vxjrn 
two children : Flora M., whose birth occurred in 
1887; and Clemma M., born in 1889. .Mr. Mills 
is a member of the English Lutheran church ' 
and politically he is an independent voter, regard- 
ing the capability of the candidate rather than his 
party affiliation. He belongs to the ^faccabees 
tent, and to the Patrons of Husbandry, and is 
also a member of the Societj' of Equity. The 
work of improvement and agricultural progress 
instituted by his grandfather and carried forsvard 
by his father, is still further promoted by him ; 
and he is trxlay the leading representative of 
agricultural interests, whose business capacity 
and well directed lab<^jr constitute him a success- 
ful farmer of his native county 



EDWARD P. GOODRICH. 

Edward P. Goodrich, who for twenty-six years 
has been circuit court reporter in .\nn .Arbor, 
was born in Allegan, Michigan, December 27, 
1842. He is descended from New England an- 
cestry in both the paternal and maternal lines. 
His father, Osman D. Goodrich, was bom in 
Oneida county, New York, in the year 1808, and 
came to Michigan in 1835, when a young man of 
twenty-seven years. Afterward, however, he re- 
moved to Connecticut, where he spent ten years 
and then again sought a home in the west. He 
was a pioneer resident of this state, becoming 
identified with the interets of Michigan when it 
was a frontier locality in which the work of prog- 
ress and improvement seemed scarcely begun. 
For a long period he was a prominent and suc- 
cessful physician of Allegan, Michigan. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Emeline 
Dickinson, was a native of Connecticut, and died 
in the year 1878. In their family were six chil- 
dren, three of whom grew to maturitj': Edward 



P. ; Osman E., of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who 
has Ix-en engaged in the practice of medicine- and 
surgery; and Mrs. .Mary E. Warner, of Ann 
-Arbor. 

Mr. Goodrich of this review is indebted to the 
public school system of Allegan, Michigan, for 
the early educational privileges which he enjoyed 
and which were supplemented by more advanced 
study in Kalamazoo College. I-.ater he came to 
Ann .\rbor. arriving here in 1864 to become a 
student in the literary department of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, from which he was graduated 
in the class of 1865. He studied for the ministry 
in the Chicago Theokjgical Seminary, from which 
institution he received the degree of B. D. He 
also pursued a course in Bryant & Stratton 
Business College in Chicago, in which school he 
was a teacher for two jears. Entering upon the 
active work of the ministry, Mr. Goodrich s.^rved 
as pastor at Decatur, Manchester and other places 
in Michigan until 1879. '^" the 1st of January, 
that year, however, he was appointed circuit court 
reporter at Ann Arbor and has since continu- 
oiisly filled that position, which is indicative of 
his capability and fidelity. 

On the 1 8th of June, 1873. .Mr. Goodrich was 
married to Miss Mary I. Hall, of Lenawee county, 
Michigan, a daughter of Reuben L. Hall, who 
was a pioneer farmer of that county and assisted 
materially in the early development of his portion 
of the stote. he and his wife, Abbie Lee, having 
removed from Connecticut in 1833, being of Puri- 
tan descent. 

Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich became the parents of 
three sons and a daughter: Ernest Payson, born 
in 1874, is a civil engineer and has at different 
times been connected with some of the largest 
construction firms in the country. He belongs to 
the American Societ>- of Civil Engineers and the 
Geographical Societ}-. In 1898 he was structural 
designer with the Edison Electric Company at 
Detroit, and in 1898-99 was engineering assistant 
in the department of buildings and grounds of 
Washington, D. C, afterward being a civil engi- 
neer in the United Sfates Navy. Francis L. D., 
bom in 1877, is a librarian by profession, having 
served several years in the librar}- of the State 
Normal College at Ypsilanti. Ralph D., born in 



282 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



1878, is also a civil engineer. Emma May, born 
in 1880, received a degree in llie literary depart- 
of the University of Michigan, and is now in the 
university library. All are graduates of the Michi- 
gan L'niversit)- and have attained prominence in 
lines of life demanding strong intellectuality. 
The wife and mother died October 31, 1904, her 
remains being interred in the Forest Hill cemetery. 
Mr. Gk)odrich is a stanch republican in his polit- 
ical views. He is an active man of fine charac- 
ter with a thorough appreciation of the higher 
ethics of life and a love for intellectual develop- 
ment, and not only has he made progress along 
those lines but has also given his children the 
opportunities that have made them well known 
and worthy of respect and admiration bv reason 
of what they have accomplished. 



ALBERT W. AMES. 



Allicrt W. .\mes, deceased, who for man\' 
years was in the em]il(i\- of the .\merican E.x- 
press Company at Ann .\rbor, and was also en- 
gaged in the stationery business, was a pioneer 
resident of the city. His birth occurred in East 
Dorset, Vermont, on the 29th of February, 1828, 
his parents being Amos and Eliza (Fenton) 
-Ames, both of whom were natives of \ermont. 
in which state they spent their entire lives. The 
father followed the occupation of farming and 
was also engaged in the dairy business. 

.\lbert ^^^ Ames attended the common schools 
of his native county, and afterward attended an 
academy in \'erm()nt. thus acquiring a good edu- 
cation. Pie was reared to agricultural pursuits 
and assisted his father upon the home farm until 
he was eighteen years of age. He was first mar- 
ried in Troy, New York, I\Iiss Helen F. Abranis 
becoming his wife. She died in Ann Arlior after 
becoming the mother of three daughters : Nettie 
Barker, now the wife of Robert F. Edmond. resi- 
dent of Dulutti, Minnesota ; Julia, deceased ; and 
Miriam, deceased wife of Edward Powell. 'Sir. 
Ames was again married in Chelsea, this counlw 
in 1867, his second union being with ]\Iiss Sarah 
E. Condon, a native of that place, and a daugh- 



ter of Hon. Elisha and Floise (Standish) Con- 
don, botii of whom were n;itives of Norwich, 
Connecticut, and were among the first settlers 
of Washtenaw county, arriving here in 1834. 
riu-y settled in what is now the town of Chelsea, 
and there Mr. Condon cut the timber and built 
a log house. There were onlv two families living 
in that part of the county at the time. .\s the 
years went by he cleared a farm, which he 
brought to a high state of cultivation, devoting 
his energies to general agricultural pursuits. It 
Avas he who gave the name of Chelsea to the town 
and who built a store there and engaged in gen- 
eral merchandising for many years in connection 
with his farming pursuits. His business inter- 
ests were capably conducted, and he was also 
prominent in ]iublic life, exerting considerable in- 
fluence in molding pulalic thought and action. 
Elected to the legislature, he represented his dis- 
trict for two terms in the lower house, and proved 
an able working member of that body. Later he 
turned his business over to his two sons and re- 
tired from active life, spending his remaining days 
in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. Both he 
and his wife continued to reside upon the old 
Condon homestead until called from this life, the 
father passing away in 1867, and the mother in 
1865. Five of their children are yet living, 
namely: Mrs. Ames; Mrs. Julia E. Fuller and 
I\lrs. Betsey N. Morton, who are residing in Chel- 
sea : Joseph Hopkins, whose home is in Berkeley, 
California : and David, who is residing in San 
I'rancisco. California. There were three children 
liurn unto Mr. and Mrs. Ames, namely: Helen, 
who is the wife of Dr. N. S. MacDonald, and re- 
sides in Hancock, Michigan; Herbert W.. who 
married Mabel Miller, of Chicago, and is in the 
employ of the .American Express Company in 
that city ; and Ruth Fargo, who died at the age 
of ten years and six months. 

.\fter his first marriage Mr. Ames removed 
from Detroit to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he 
entered the employ of the American Express 
Company as express messenger on a regular run 
on the Michigan Central Railroad, between De- 
troit and Chicago. He occupied that ]iosition for 
six years, but not liking the railroad work, he 
was on that accoinit made agent at .\nn .Arbor bv 




ALUKRT W. AMES. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



285 



the American Express Company, [fe was with 
that company for forty-si.x years, having entered 
their service in 1861. In connection with the 
express agency office he installed a stock of sta- 
tionery and opened a news depot and continued 
in the business until 1901. when he sold out and 
retired. He spent the remaining five years of 
his life in well earned ease, enjoying the com- 
forts and luxuries that came to him as the result 
of his careful management of his business af- 
fairs in former years. He had the entire confi- 
dence of the corporation, which he so long repre- 
sented : and as a merchant he was known for his 
honorable methods, straightforward ilcaling and 
earnest desire to please his patrons — qualities 
which brought to him a good trade and added 
annually to his profit. His political allegiance 
was given to the republican party, but he never 
had a desire for office. He belonged to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity at Ann Arbor, and had the entire 
respect and good will of his brethren of the craft 
and of the community at large. Mrs. Ames, still 
residing in Ann Arbor, is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church here. She owns a nice 
residence at No. ;^2Ti East William street, in which 
Mr. Ames made his home until his death, and 
which she still occupies. 



WILLIAM C. JACOBUS. 

William C. Jacobus, who has secured an exten- 
sive business as contractor and builder in Ann 
Arbor, was born in Chatham, Canada, on the 
5th of April, 1852. His paternal grandfather was 
Josiah Jacobus, and the father George Jacobus. 
The latter was born at Seneca Falls, New York, 
June 24, 1824, and is still living at the advanced 
age of eighty-two years, his home being in this 
city. In 1834 he arrived in Michigan, settling in 
Lodi, where he remained until 1849, when he 
went to Canada, spending fifteen years there. 
It was during that time that the subject of this 
review was born. In 1864, however, the father 
returned to Ann Arbor, where he has resided con- 
tinuously since. In early life he learned the car- 
penter's trade, which he followed until he put 
aside business cares. He is a member of the Bap- 
16 



tist church and is also an exemplary representa- 
tive of the Masonic fraternity, his membership 
being in the lodge at .Ann Arbor. In his political 
views he is a republican, having always given 
earnest support to the jiarty but without seeking 
office as a reward for party fealty. He married 
]Miss Elizabeth Pegg, a native of Seneca Falls, 
New York, and unto them were Ijorn five chil- 
dren, but the eldest, Eva M., died in infancy, and 
Emma, the third child, died at the age of six vears, 
while George, the youngest, died at the age of 
nineteen \ears. William C. was the second in 
order of birth, and his surviving sister is Amelia, 
the wife of William Bennham, a resident of Liv- 
ingston county, Michigan, by whom she has three 
children. 

Williaiu C. Jacobus acquired a common school 
education and also spent two years as a high school 
student. When a youth of fourteen he began 
railroading which he followed for twelve years 
and at the age of twenty-six years he turned his 
attention to the carpenter's trade working by the 
day for about two years, during which time he 
gained a thorough and comprehensive knowledge 
of the business both in principle and detail. On 
the expiration of that period he began contracting 
and building on his own account and has since 
been identified with building operations in Ann 
Arbor. He has been accorded a liberal patronage 
and has erected many important structures in this 
city, which are a visible evidence of his life of 
thrift and enterprise. He has the entire confi- 
dence of the business community because of his 
faithfulness to the terms of a contract, his prompt- 
ness in its execution and his earnest desire to 
please his patrons. 

On the 15th of February, 1882, Mr. Jacobus 
was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Kavlor, 
who was born in April, 1854, and is a native of 
Ireland. Her father, Martin Kaylor, who was 
also born on the Emerald isle, came to America 
in i860, when his daughter was only six years of 
age, crossing the Atlantic to Quebec and thence 
making his way to Toledo, Ohio. He became a 
prominent farmer and owned considerable land 
near that city. In his family were seven children : 
Patrick, Catherine, Anna, Martin, Elizabeth, Mary 
and Nora. 



286 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobus have been born two 
sons, Grorge A. and Martin William. The former 
married Geneva Allen, of Joncsville, Michigan, and 
they have one daughter, Catherine. Mr. Jacobus 
exercises his right of franchise in support of the 
men and measures of the republican party and 
keeps well informed on the questions and issues 
of the day. He belongs to the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, to the Knights of Pythias fra- 
ternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
and the Royal Protective Association of Boston. 
His wife is a member of the Catholic church. 
They have a beautiful home on Catherine street 
in .'\nn Arbor, which was erected by Mr. Jacobus 
and is a good example of his skill as an architect 
and builder. 



jMARCUS LLEWELLYN WARD. D. D. S. C. 

Dr. Marcus Llewellyn Ward, a capable mem- 
ber of the dental fraternity who has built up a 
large practice in Ann .\rbor since 1902, was born 
in Howell, Livingston county, Michigan. August 
5, 1875. His father, Albert F. Ward, now liv- 
ing in Gregory, Michigan, was a soldier of the 
Civil war, enlisting in 1861, as a member of Com- 
pany H, Fourth Michigan Infantry. He joined 
the arm\- as a private and won promotion through 
meritorious conduct and valor on the field of bat- 
tle. He married Miss Sarah Kirkland, a native 
of England, now living in Ann Arbor. Eight 
children graced this marriage : Marcus L. ; Homer 
A. : Hugh F. ; Maude A. ; Camelia J. ; Sarah Ma- 
rie; George H., who died in 1904, at the age of 
sixteen years; and Edna M. 

Dr. Ward, the eldest of the family, began his 
education in the district schools of Livingston 
county, and when he had mastered the elementary 
branches of learning became a student in the Fen- 
ton Normal. He afterward engaged in teaching 
in the county of his nativity for five years but re- 
garded this merely as an initial step to profes- 
sional labor, for he had become imbued with a 
strong desire to become a member of the dental 
fraternity. Accordingly, in 1899 he came to Ann 
Arbor and entered the University of Michigan, 
where he supplemented his early knowledge by 



a scientific course which he completed by gradu- 
ation in the class of 1902, winning the degree of 
D. D. S., while in 1905 the degree of D. D. S. C. 
was conferred upon him. He opened an office for 
practice in Ann Arbor and since 1902 has built 
up an excellent business which has already reached 
large and profitable proportions. He is also a 
lecturer in the dental department of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan. 

On the 31st of ]\Iay, 1899, Dr. ^^'ard was united 
in marriage to Miss Millie J. Carpenter, of Howell. 
They have pleasant social relations, the hospitality 
of many of the best homes of the city being ex- 
tended to them. They hold membership in the 
Congregational church and Dr. Ward is affiliated 
with the blue lodge of Masons. He is likewise 
a member of the Delta Sigma Delta, a college fra- 
ternity, and numerous other societies. He has 
a beautiful suite of rooms for office purposes at 
No. 709 North I^niversity avenue, thoroughly 
equipped with all modern appliances known to 
the profession and in his practice manifests a skill 
and ability that insure him a continuance of his 
liberal patronage. 



WILLIAM B. SEYMOUR. 

^^'illiam B. Seymour, ex-mayor of the citv of 
Ypsilanti. was born March 4, 1833, at Victory, 
Cayuga county, New York. His father, a Meth- 
odist minister, died December 13. 1846, leaving 
the subject of this sketch, a boy not thirteen years 
of age, who was obliged to make liis own way in 
the world. How well he has done this those that 
kndw liim best can testif}-. He came to Michigan 
in 1855. 

October 10, 1858, he was married to Anna E. 
Peckham, of Climax, Kalamazoo county, Michi- 
gan, and settled in Ypsilanti in the spring of 
1859. To them were born four children, two 
daughters and two sons. Their daughter, Mrs. 
A. L. Braisted. resides at 306 Brower street, Ypsi- 
lanti. Their second daughter. Miss Lou M. Sey- 
mour, is still at home. Their eldest son, Don M., 
was accidentally killed at the age of sixteen. 
Their second son. Glen L. Seymour, is repre- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



287 



sented on another page of this work. In the 
spring of 1861 ]\Ir. Seymour accepted a position 
on the road as a commercial traveler and was a 
successful salesman for thirty-five years, leaving 
the road in July, 1896. Since that time he has 
been in the insurance business. 

Mr. Seymour joined the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen in October, 1877, and held 
maiiv positions of trust up to February, 1887, 
when he was elected grand master workman by 
acclamation and was also elected supreme lodge 
representative for five consecutive years, from 
1888 to 1892 inclusive. He is also a member of 
the National Union and belongs to Michigan 
Council, No. 300, of Detroit. Mr. Seymour has 
also held several positions of trust in the city of 
Ypsilanti. where he has resided forty-six years, 
forty-two \ears of that time at his present resi- 
dence at 517 Emmet street. 

In the spring of 1892 he was elected aldennan 
of the Third ward. In 1894 he was elected mayor 
by a large majority, refusing a second term in 
1895. i\Ir. Seymour belongs to no church and 
in politics he is a republican. 



Mr. Seymour became an active factor in po- 
litical life in 1904, representing the republican 
party. He was appointed deputy sheriff and was 
afterward made deputy in the office of the county 
circuit court by Sheriff Frank Newton. In 1905 
he was appointed a county school officer, and he 
now has his office in the courthouse at Ann Ar- 
bor, from which place he daily discharges his 
duties and the schools of the locality have felt 
the stimulus of his efforts and undertakings. 

On the nth of July, 1895, Mr. Seymour was 
united in marriage to Miss Hattie May Brown, 
a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Loveridge) 
Brown, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They have 
one child. William Russell, who was born August 
II, 1S96. Mr. Seymour finds his chief recreation 
in hunting and fishing, greatly enjoying the out- 
door sports. He lives in a beautiful residence 
at No. 613 Cross street, Ypsilanti, and is well 
known in Washtenaw county, where his entire 
life has been passed and where his circle of 
friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of 
his acquaintance. 



GLEN L. SEYMOUR. 

Glen L. Seymour, who may well be called the 
worthy son of a worthy father, was born in Ypsi- 
lanti. March 3, 1877. He was educated in the 
public schools there, passing through successive 
grades until he had completed the high school 
work and later attended the state normal school 
and the Cleary Business College, being graduated 
from the latter in 1894. He entered business life 
as a grocer and for four years was with M. J. 
Lewis, of Ypsilanti, while subsequently he was in 
the employ of the firm of Stumpenhausen & Sey- 
mour, grocers of that city. He was upon the 
road as a traveling salesman for one year for the 
Detroit branch of the Ypsilanti Paper Company, 
and then entered the employ of the Peninsula 
Paper Company, with which he continued for 
three years, in charge of the finishing depart- 
ment. 



PROFESSOR CHARLES H. COOLEY. 

Professor Charles H. Cooley. educator and 
author, was born in Ann .\rbor, and is indebted 
to the public school system for his preliminary 
education, mastering the branches that constitut- 
ed the curricuhnn of the ])riniary, grammar and 
high schools. He was graduated from the latter 
with the class of 1880, and in the fall of the same 
year matriculated in the University of Michigan, 
where he was graduated B. A. in the class of 
1887. In the meantime, however, he spent some 
time in Europe, and following his graduation 
went to Bay City, IMichigan, as draughtsman for 
the Industrial Works, with which he was con- 
nected for a brief period. Later he went to Wash- 
ington, D. C, being employed by the Interstate 
Commerce Commission to investigate safety ap- 
pliances, and prepared the first federal report on 
that subject in 1889. Subsequently he was ap- 
pointed special agent for the investigation of 
street railwavs and had charge of the report of 



jS8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW cOrXTV 



the cloveiith census on that >uhiect. This task 
lieiiii;' conii)kte(l he spent six months abroad and 
upon his return to his native land in i8<)^ he was 
made assistant in pohtical econcnny in the I ni- 
versitN' of Michigan. Two years later lie was 
made instructor in siiciolo,t;'y at the time this 
study was establislied in the universitx'. In iSijS 
he was appointed assistant professor of sociology 
and in June. iiP4, was made junior ]irofcssor. 

Professor Cooley is author of many papers 
relating- to sociological questions and of an im- 
portant work called Human Nature and the So- 
cial Order, published in 1902 by Giarles Scrili- 
ner's Sons. It has been commetided liy distin- 
guished students of sociology. 

In 1890 Professor Cooley was marrietl. in Ann 
Arbor, to Miss Elsie Jones, a daughter of Or. 
Samuel A. Tones, of this city, and their children, 
three in number, are: Rutger H., born in 1893: 
Margaret, in 1897: and Mary Elizabeth, in 1904. 
A republican in politics, with the interests of the 
patriotic citizen in the leading questions and is- 
sues of the day. Professor Cooley is, however, 
without political aiubition. He belongs to the 
Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity of the University 
of Michigan, and received the advanced degree 
of Ph. D. in 1894. 



TOHN KEPPLER. 



John Keppler is the owner of a fine and well 
improved farm in Ann Arbor township. He was 
born in Germany in 1834 and his parents, George 
Adam and Mary (Staeb) Keppler. were also na- 
tives of that countr}'. The father, following the 
occupation of farming throughout his entire life, 
died in Germany in 1837, The subject of this re- 
view spent his first twenty years in his native land, 
acquiring a fair education in the public schools 
and in 1854 he crossed the Atlantic to America, 
making his way at once to Michigan. He settled 
in Scio township, Washtenaw county, where he 
was emploved for some time as a farm hand, being 
thus engaged until 1861, when he was united in 
marriage to Miss Marie Steflfey, a daughter of 
Abraham Steflfev, a native of Pennsvlvania, in 



which state Mrs. [\e|)pler was also horn. I'ollow- 
ing his marriage Mr. Keppler liegan the operation 
of a farm in Northfield township on the shares 
and thus spent totu" years. In 18(^)3 he removed 
to the Tower farm, which he rented for three 
years but remained thereon for only a year, when 
he rented the place to another party and bought 
fifty acres of land on section g. .\nn Arbor town- 
ship. There he began farming on his own ac- 
count, making that |ilace his home until 1902. 
About 1878 he bought forty acres on section 16 
of the saiue townshi]). For a long period he car- 
ried on general agricultural pursuits and also 
raised sheep and cattle and fed cattle for the mar- 
ket. At one tiiue he operated a threshing machine, 
usitig horse power. His farm is now largely de- 
voted to the raising of oats, wheat and potatoes 
[uid he annually harvests good crops, which find 
a readv sale on the market. In 1870 he built a 
good residence upon his farm and he has built 
two bams, one thirty-two by forty-six feet and 
the other twent\ by fort>- feet. He also built a 
granarv sixteen by twenty-four feet. In 1902 
he erected a residence on his forty-acre tract of 
land on section 16, Ann Arbor township, where 
he is now living with his wife. He continued the 
active operation of the farm until 1902, wheii he 
turned it over to the care of his son, while he is 
now ])ractically living retired. 

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Keppler were born five 
children: John Milton: (Jeorge Adam, who is 
operating the old lioiue farm: Lewis J., who is 
living in .\nn Arbor township : Emory A., who 
resides in the citv of Ann Arbor ; and Williain C, 
who lives in Tower City. North Dakota. 

In his political views iMr. Keppler is a stalwart 
republican, having firm faith in the principles of 
the party and doing all in his power to promote 
its growth and insure its success. He has been 
township treasurer for three terms, has also 
served on the school board for a number of years 
and was moderator for one term. He belongs to 
Zion church and is deeplv interested in the ma- 
terial, intellectual and moral progress of the coiri- 
munit\' in which he has so long made his home. 
As a farmer he was active and industrious, sys- 
tematizing his work and carrying on the labors 
of the fields in harmonv with the advanced ideas 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



289 



of modern agriculture and now he is enjoying a 
well earned rest, his labors being crowned with 
the fruits of former toil. 



DANIEL J. ROSS. 



Many fine structures stand as monuments to 
the labor, skill and business ability of Daniel J. 
Ross, a leading contractor here. Like many young 
men born across the border, he has sought the 
business op])ortunities of the L'nited States with 
its livelier competition and advancement more 
quickly secured. He was born in Chatham, On- 
tario. December 4. 1852. His father. William 
Ross, was a contractor and builder, who died 
about fourteen years ago. His mother, a native of 
Appleford. Canada, is now living in Ontario. In 
their family were twelve children, ten of whom 
survive at the time of this writing, in 1905. 

Daniel J. Ross spent the first thirteen years of 
his life in the place of his nativity and then came 
direct to Ann Arbor where he attended the public 
schools for some years. He learned the builder's 
trade under the direction of his father and in 
early manhood was known as the boy contractor 
of Ann Arbor, so youthful was he when he en- 
tered upon an active business career as a builder 
of this city. He has long been engaged in con- 
tracting and building and he erected the first fire 
engine house of Ann Arbor. Michigan Manufac- 
turers' Company building. Tappan Hall. Harris 
Hall, an addition to the chemical laboratory, the 
anatomical lalx)ratory. an addition to the Union 
school and some of the finest residences in this 
cit\ . He is always faithful to the terms of a con- 
tract, honorable in his dealings and prompt in the 
execution of his work, and his labors have there- 
fore received public endorsement and secured for 
him a liberal patronage. 

In 1874 Mr. Ross was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary Moore, of New York cit}', and they 
became the parents of nine children, of whom four 
are living : Martha, who is now a teacher in the 
schools of Elyria. Ohio ; Mrs. Isadore INIcFadden. 
who is living in New York city ; and Joseph and 
Raymond, who are pupils in the Ann Arbor 
schools. 



Mr. Ross holds membership with the Benevo- 
lent and Protective Order of Elks and has filled 
all of the chairs in this lodge but one, that of ex- 
alted ruler. He is also a member of the Knights 
of Columbus and a communicant of the Catholic 
church. In politics he is an active democrat and 
has acted as street commissioner of Ann Arbor 
for many years. Aside from this he has held 
no public ofjfice nor has he desired political pre- 
ferment, wishing rather to give his undivided at- 
tention to his business interests which have devel- 
oped under his wise guiflance. prompted In- his 
indefatigable energy until he is today one of the 
successful contractors and builders of his adopted 
citv. 



J. T. J.A.COBUS. 



J. T. Jacobus, who for a number of years has 
had charge of the office of the Pacific Express 
Company at Ann Arbor, is a native son of this 
city, born on the 15th of March. 1873. His father 
was Josiah Jacobus, who became one of the early 
settlers of Ann Arbor, where for many years he 
made his home. He married Bermelia Ross, a 
native of Washtenaw county. Michigan, and in 
their family were four children : ^Irs. Carrie 
Pierce, of Lansing, this state: J. T., of this re- 
view : Jennie, the wife of Charles Kusterer, of 
Ann Arbor ; and Evart. living in Detroit. 

At the usual age J. T. Jacobus entered the 
public schools of this city but at a comparatively 
early age put aside his text-books in order to en- 
ter business life and make his own way in the 
world. He has since been dependent entirely 
upon his own resources, so that whatever success 
he has achieved is the merited reward of his well 
directed labor, executive ability and enterprise. 
He was first employed upon a fruit farm owned by 
E\'art H. Scott near this city and when his labors 
had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to 
enter upon an independent business venture he 
established a grocery store, which he conducted 
for a number of years. He then sold out and for 
four years was cashier for the L'nited States Ex- 
press Company at .-Knn Arbor, on the expiration 
of which period he was rrade the manager of the 



290 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



office of the Pacific Express Company at this 
place and has occnpied the position since 1902. 
He has been found thoroughly qualified for his 
duties, reliable in their discharge, energetic and 
diligent in the prosecution of his work and his 
service has given entire satisfaction to the coin- 
pan)- which he represents. 

In 189T Mr. Jacobus was married to Miss 
Laura Corbis, of London. England, whose family 
reside in England, and they now have one son, 
Leroy, who at the age of tweUe years is a student 
in the public schools of Ann Arbor. Air. Jacobus 
is enrolled among the members of the ]\Iasonic 
fraternity and the Benevolent and IVotective Or- 
der of Elks and enjoys the high esteem of his 
brethren in these organizations as well as of the 
general ])ublic. by whom he is ever found to be 
a courteous and obliging official, while in social 
life he displays the sterling traits of character 
that win strong friendships. 



SAMUEL HEUSEL. 



.\mong those whu Iiave come from foreign 
lands to become ])rominent in business circles of 
Ann Arbor is Samuel Heusel. well known as pro- 
prietor of an extensive bakery. His success in all 
his undertakings has been so marked that his 
methods are of interest to the commercial world. 
He has based his business principles and actions 
upon strict adherence to the rules which govern 
industry, economy and unswerving integrity. His 
enterprise and progressive spirit have made him 
a typical .\merican in every sense of the word and 
he well deserves mention in this history. What 
he is to-day he has made himself, for he began in 
the world with nothing but his own energy and 
willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion 
associated with good judgment he has raised him- 
self to the prominent position he now holds, hav- 
ing the friendship of manv and the respect of all 
■who know him. 

Samuel Heusel is a native of ^^'urtemberg. Ger- 
many, born October 14, i860. His father, Fred- 
erick Heusel, also a native of Wurtemberg. con- 
ducted an extensive business there in the line of 



general merchandising but is now deceased. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Stein- 
maier. was also a native of that kingdom. In their 
family were six children: Frederick, who is en- 
gaged in business as a baker at .\nn Arbur : Jacob, 
who went to the west about twenty years ago and 
has never been heard from since : ( iottlob, who is 
living in Ciermany; Samuel of this review: and 
Mar}- and .Marguerite, who are also lixing in the 
fatherland. 

Xo event of special importance occurred to 
vary the routine of Samuel Heusel's life in his 
\nuth u]) to the time of his emigration to .\mer- 
ica. but he felt the call of the new world with its 
imceasing business activity antl unlimited oppor- 
tunities and he res])ondcd. Landing on American 
siiores he made his way to nortliern Michigan, 
s|)ending some time at different places in the up- 
per peninsula ere his removal to Ann Arbor in 
1893. He has since been a factor in business life 
of this citw working his way steadily upward 
through the utilization of opportunity, and by 
reason of his unfaltering industrv and persever- 
ance. In 1803. lif joined his brother Frederick in 
the bakery business and about 11)04 he established 
a large bakery on his own account at the corner of 
Liberty street and I'ourth avenue, where his 
business has grown with such rapidity as to be 
classed with the mammoth industrial and commer- 
cial concerns of .\nn .\rbor. He ships large quan- 
tities of bread out of the city and has a splendidly 
equipped plant in which are immense ovens built 
es])ecially for Mr. Heusel at a cost of thousands of 
dollars. There is machinery operated by steam 
power for the mixing of dough and in fact the es- 
tablishment is equipped with all of the latest and 
most modern devices known to the baker's trade. 
He occupies a large new building in the conduct 
of his business and furnishes employment tri many 
men and women. 

Mr. Heusel fraternally is connected with the 
Odd Fellows of Ann Arbor and the local Gentian 
societies and he is a member of the Zion Lutheran 
church. He was married in 1888 to Miss Mary 
Lilivelt. descended from Holland ancestry, her 
parents having been early settlers of Michigan. 
They became the parents of three children : Fred- 
erick, who at the age of sixteen vears is a high- 




SAMUEL HEUSEL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



293 



school student in Ann Arbor : Sadie, thirteen 
years of age, also in school : and Hilda, seven 
years of age, who has just entered ujjon her 
school life. On the 21st of August, 1905, ^.Ir. 
Heusel was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
wife who died after a few days' illness of appendi- 
citis. 

Mr. Heusel deserves great credit for what he 
has accomplished since crossing the Atlantic. 
Reaching New York in 1880, he found himself in 
a new country where the manners and customs of 
the people were very different from those of the 
fatherland and he probably often longed for the 
"little German home across the sea." However, 
he was brave and determined and faithfully pur- 
sued his work and through careful industry and 
frugal living he succeeded in saving a sum of 
money which enabled him to engage in business 
for himself. He wisely chose the west with its 
almost limitless opportunities as the scene for his 
labors and the increase of his business from year 
to year has given him prominence in commercial 
circles and brought to him a very gratifying com- 
petence. 



HON. THOMAS McIXTYRE COOLEY. 

Hon. Thomas Mclntyre Cooley. who has been 
termed '"the foremost authority on American con- 
stitutional law." and whose professional and politi- 
cal record was an honor to the state that honored 
him. was born January 6. 1824. in Attica. Xew 
York, one of a family of fifteen children. His 
father. Thomas Cooley, had been a Massachusetts 
farmer but had removed from that state to west- 
ern New York twenty years before the birth of 
his .son. He was in very straitened circumstances 
and his fifteen children, all of whom lived to ma- 
ture years, were early thrown upon their own 
resources to make their way unaided in the world. 

Thomas .Mclntyre Cooley, struggling with pov- 
erty, his youth being spent amid unfavorable con- 
ditions, acquired the means of obtaining his edu- 
cation only by hard manual labor which extended 
through the period of professional study. As op- 
portunity afforded he attended the common schools 
until fourteen years of age and afterward spent 



tour terms in a private school taught by classical 
scholars. In 1840, 1841 and 1842 he taught school 
for three or four months in each year and un- 
doubtedlv derived much benefit from the experi- 
ence, learning as much from his pupils as they 
could from him. Before he was nineteen years of 
age he began the study of law at Palmyra, New 
'^Vjrk, studying in the office and under the direc- 
tion of Theron K, Strong, who later became one 
of the judges of the supreme court. In 1843 he 
came to Michigan, establishing his home in 
Adrian. It was his intention to go to Chicago 
but not having the means necessary to continue 
the journey to tliat place he settled in Michigan. 
.\t Adrian Judge Cooley continued his prelimi- 
nary study in the law office of Tiffany & Beaman, 
holding meanwhile the position of deputy county 
clerk, and in January, 1846, he was admitted to 
the bar. 

The same year that witnessed the beginning of 
his active connection with the legal profession 
was also the one in which he established a home 
of his own through his marriage on the 30th of 
December, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Horton, a 
daughter of David Horton. The early years of 
his connection with the bar constituted a period 
of earnest struggle and unremitting effort. He 
had to cope with the older lawyers already estab- 
lished in practice and he found that a professional 
career was uphill work. Subsequently he settled 
in Tecumseh. where he formed a partnership with 
C. .V. Tracy, but in 1848 returned to Adrian, 
where he divided his time between law and jour- 
nalism, becoming editor of the Adrian Watch- 
tower, and junior member of the law firm of Bea- 
man, Beecher & Cooley. Subsequently he be- 
came the senior partner of Cooley & Croswell, his 
junior being Charles M. Croswell. afterward gov- 
ernor of Michigan. 

^\'hile gradually working his way upward at 
the bar and demonstrating his ability to cope with 
the intricate problems of the law in the various 
departments of jurisprudence. Judge Cooley also 
became a factor in public life, and his local promi- 
nence was followed by honors conferred upon 
him by the state which made him one of the dis- 
tinguished citizens of Michigan. In 1850 he was 
elected court commissioner and recorder of 



294 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTS". 



Adrian. At this time he was not only editing a 
newspaper, practicing law and acting as recorder 
of Adrian, but in connection with his father-in- 
law he also purchased and cultivated a farm of 
one hundred acres and was the secretary of the 
Lenawee County Agricultural Society. Still later 
he went to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1852 formed a 
partnership with W. J. Scott in the real estate 
business but did not relinquish his law practice. 
Again, however, he returned to Adrian and re- 
sumed his connection with the Michigan bar. 

His connection with the University of Michi- 
gan began in 1859, when he was thirty-one years 
of age and received the appointment as Jay Pro- 
fessor of Law, which he held for nearly thirty 
years. In 1873 he was further honored by the 
institution in the conferring upon him of the de- 
gree of Doctor of Laws. At the memorable cele- 
bration of Harvard College, its two hundred and 
fiftieth anniversary, in 1886, that institution con- 
ferred upon Judge Cooley the same degree. 

He has often been invited to lecture on law in 
various parts of the country and at one time gave 
courses in jurisprudence at the Johns Hopkins 
University, at Baltimore, Maryland. 

Somewhat outside of the strict path of his pro- 
fession there came to him official service in Janu- 
ary, 1857, when he was chosen by the state senate 
to compile the general statutes and within a year 
he had completed the compilation that bears his 
name. In 1853 he was appointed the official re- 
porter of the supreme court of the state and acted 
in that capacity until 1864, in which year he was 
also elected one of the judges of the supreme court 
of Michigan as the nominee of the republican 
party. He held that position until October i, 
1885, through successive elections and from time 
to time presided over the court as its chief justice. 
His opinions contributed much to the high repu- 
tation of the court during this period. A man of 
unimpeachalile character, of unusual intellectual 
endowments, with a thorough understanding of 
the law, patience, urbanity and industry. Judge 
Cooley took to the bench the very highest quali- 
fications for this responsible office of the state 
government, and his record as a judge has been in 
harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer, 
distinguished by unswerving integritv and a mas- 



terful grasp of every problem which presented 
itself for solution. 

Judge Cooley is best known outside of Michi- 
gan as a legal writer, his chief works being his 
"Constitutional Limitations," of which seven edi- 
tions have been published, "Blackstone," "Torts," 
"Taxation" and "Principles of Constitutional 
Law." He also attained national prominence as 
the first chairman of the Interstate Commerce 
Commission, appointed in 1887. 

His literary work has not been confined to 
law books and law articles although his contribu- 
tions to legal literature have been extensive and 
valuable. In 1885 he contributed a history of 
Michigan to the popular series of volumes of the 
American commonwealths and he has also writ- 
ten Lin many other subjects, his articles covering 
a wide range and showing his deep thought and 
investig'ation of sociological, political and econom- 
ical questions. 

Judge and Mrs. Cooley became the parents of 
six children : Eugene F. ; Edgar A. ; Charles H. ; 
Thomas B. ; Fannie, the wife of Alexis C. Angell, 
a son of President J. B. Angell of the University 
of Michigan; and Mary. Mrs. Cooley died in 
1 890. 



ALVIN J. VOGUS. 

Alvin J. \"ogus, manager of the office of the 
Postal Telegraph Cable Company of Ann Arbor, 
is a native of Elsie, Clinton county, ^Michigan, 
born on the 13th of July, 1883. His parents were 
b'red and Rose (Davidson) Vogus, both of whom 
were natives of Ohio :and about 1892 they re- 
moved from Clinton county to Banister, J\Iichi- 
gan. where the father secured a position as sta- 
tionary engineer. The son. having obtained his 
early education in the public schools of his na- 
tive county, continued his studies in Banister and 
in Owosso, to which place the family removed. 
He was also a student in Owosso Business Col- 
lege for thirteen months, and thus was well 
equipped by thorough and comprehensive train- 
ing for the practical and responsible duties of 
life. Putting aside his text-books, he entered 
the employ of the Western Union Telegraph 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



295 



Company at the office in Owosso, where he 
learned the business, after which he took charge 
of the office of the Postal Telegraph Cable Com- 
pany at that place, occupying the position for two 
years, at the end of which time he was promoted 
to his present position at Ann Arbor, where he 
has remained since March, IQ04. 

~Slr. \'ogus is a member of the Methodist 
church, and a prohibitionist in his political affilia- 
tion : and these relations are indicative of the 
character of the man, showing that he is an advo- 
cate of all that tends to the betterment of human- 
ity and the upbuilding of a high standard of con- 
duct. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal 
Arcanum and the Commercial Telegraphers' 
Union. .\ young man of exemplary habits and 
splendid executive ability, he fills the important 
position of manager of the office of the Postal 
Telegraph Cable Company at Ann Arbor in a 
most capable way, giving entire satisfaction to 
the corporation which he represents. He has 
won the regard and admiration of the business 
men of the city by his gemiine worth, and he has 
also become popular in social circles, having al- 
ready gained the warm friendship of manv with 
whom he has been brought in contact. 



CAPTAIN WILLIAM M. WILKINSON. 

Captain ^^'illiam M. Wilkinson, deceased, was 
a native of Scotland, born in Haddington, in 1803, 
and acquired a liberal education, attending a 
classical school in London, where he learned to 
speak several languages. In earlv manhood he 
also learned the tailor's trade, which pursuit he 
follow^ed, and also engaged in the clothing busi- 
ness in Scotland until 1832, when he shipped his 
stock of goods to .-Xmerica, and with his family 
sailed for the new world. 

Captain Wilkinson first located in Salisbury. 
Connecticut, where he engaged in business for a 
short time. While there he formed the acquaint- 
ance of I. N. Conklin, his next door neighbor, and 
together they .started westward, their destination 
being Galena, Illinois. On their way they passed 
through Ypsilanti. Michigan, w-ere much pleased 



with the city, and decided to return here. It was 
in 1834 that they located here, being among 
its early residents ; but they had the prescience to 
discern what the future held in store for this sec- 
tion of the state, and sent for their families to 
join them. Captain Wilkinson had already shipped 
his stock of goods to Detroit and hauled them 
t'rom that city to Ypsilanti by wagon. He was 
the first merchant tailor to begin business here, 
and later was the first to sell ready-made cloth- 
ing. Within a few years he found himself pro- 
prietor of a large clothing store, and was also 
doing an extensive tailoring business, employing 
from eight to ten men. His business was of very 
gratifying proportions for that early day. Cap- 
tain ^^'ilkinson himself was a fine dresser, and his 
establishment soon found favor with the public 
and secured a very desirable patronage. He con- 
tinued in business up to the time of his death. 

Captain Wilkinson married Miss .\nna Henry, 
who was a native of Dalkeith, Scotland, and was 
a granddaughter of John Lindsay, Earl of Craw- 
ford and Balcaries. They became the parents of 
eleven children, but only three are now living. 
Robert I'>. ^^'ilkinson is one of the prominent and 
wealthy citizens of Philadelphia, and holds the 
responsible and important position of confidential 
manager of John Wanamaker in his extensive dry 
goods business in Philadelphia and New York 
city. He owns one of the finest residences in the 
beautiful surburban tow-n of Germantown. 
Thomas Wilkinson was proprietor of a large tail- 
oring establishment and clothing business in Sag- 
inaw. Michigan, but has recently sold out and 
now lives retired from business cares. Jeanette 
P>. ^^'ilkinson was married in August. 1849, ^o 
John R. Campbell, who is mentioned below. Wil- 
liam Wilkinson, an older son, was a prosperous 
merchant tailor of Lafayette, Indiana, at the time 
of his death. He left a wife but no children. 
George Wilkinson, another son. died suddenly in 
Springfield. Illinois, on his way west, after sell- 
ing out his clothing business at Toledo. Ohio. 
He was a promnent Knight Templar ^lason. and 
was an officer in the Cleveland Grays, taking part 
in the first battle of Bull Run. He was afterward 
made captain of his company. He left a wife and 
two daughters. Both ^^'illiam and George Wil- 



2q5 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



kinson were buried in Highland cemetery, Ann 
Arbor. 

Captain \\ilkins<in was a stanch democrat in 
pohtics, and was ver\' ])r(iminent in the Masonic 
order, being a charter member of Ypsilanti lodge. 
He was president of the first literary society of 
Ypsilanti, and owned a fine librarw which con- 
tained, among other volumes, a full set of histories 
of England, which was left him bv his grand- 
father, .Sir William Mcintosh, who was one of 
the individual sul)scril)ers. as they were published 
on the subscription plan in London. The-\' were 
very expensive and well illustrated for those days. 
He was very fond of history, and made it his 
special stud)-. The captain was prominent in the 
social circles of the city, and occupied a very en- 
viable ])osition in the favorable regard of manv 
friends, .-\fter a useful and well spent life he 
died on the 26th of ( )ctober. 1870. at the age of 
sixty-seven years, and his wife passed awa\- in 
April, 1895, 3t the age of eighty-four years. 

John R. Campbell was born in P)uiifalo, Xew 
York, in March, T817, and was a son of Alex- 
ander Campbell, a native of Argyle, Scotland. He 
was only eleven years of age at the time of his 
father's death, and then started out in life on his 
own account. In 1832 he came to Ypsilanti, and, 
being a lover of horses, he secured a position as 
driver on the stage coach between that city and 
Clinton, Michigan, being thus engaged for five 
years. He next conducted a hotel at .\urora, Il- 
linois, for seven years, and on the expiration of 
that period, returned to Ypsilanti, where he em- 
barked in the livery business in partnership with 
Walter Hawkins. Later he turned his attention 
to the stock business, dealing in both cattle and 
horses, which he found quite profitalile. For sev- 
eral years he was in partnershi]) with liert Spen- 
cer, and afterward purchased a stock farm north 
of Ypsilanti, where he engaged in raising fine 
horses and cattle. While breaking a team of colts 
in the summer of 1883. they became frightened 
and ran away, ]\Ir. Campbell being thrown to the 
ground and instantl\- killed. Politically he was 
an ardent democrat, but always refused to accept 
office. He was considered one of the finest horse- 
men in the state. He had manv sterling <|uali- 
ties which endeared him to those with whom he 



came in contact. He was a ver}- temperate man, 
never gambling nor using intoxicants, which, com- 
bined with his fine appearance ( for he was a 
handsome man), ren<lered him poi)ular with his 
many friends. 

Since her husband's death, Mrs. Campbell has 
continued to make her home in Yijsilanli, but has 
traveled quite extensively. In 1884 she went to 
Europe, and spent one year in England, Scotland, 
Ireland, Italy, France and Germany, returning in 
1885. In 1902 she made a second trip abroad, vis- 
iting Scotland for some time and then going to 
.Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark. Holland 
and lielgium. She was gone five months at this 
time. She was liberally educated, has always 
been a great reader, and although now well ad- 
vanced in years, gives her personal attention to 
her business interests. She owns much valuable 
property in Y])silanti. which she rents and which 
returns to her a very liberal income. She be- 
longs to the Episcopal church, and owns and oc- 
cupies a beautiful home at Xo. 35 South Huron 
street. In the city where she has so long lived, 
she is well known and uniformly esteemed, re- 
ceiving the respect of young and old, rich and 
poor. 



WILLIAM A. SCHNEIDER. 

William A. Schneider, a member of the firm of 
R^-an & Schneider, conducting a large business 
in furnaces and sheet metal work, is numbered 
among Washtenaw county's native sons, his 
birth having occurred in Delhi, Scio township, 
on the 20th oi .September, 1877. His father, 
Michael Schneider, a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, is a cooper by trade and is now living in 
Ann Arbor. He married Magdalena Kirbly. who 
passed away in 1895. L'nto them were born four 
children : Henry, who is now living in Ypsilanti ; 
Mar\', the wife of John Jewell, of Grand Rapids, 
Michigan: Amelia, the wife of Dr. Gates, of 
Dexter ; and W'illiam A. 

William .\. Sclmeider came to Ann Arbor in 
early youth and acquired his education in the 
public scIkxiIs of this cit\'. He was afterward a 
telegraph operator for several years and during 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



297 



his earlv CDuncction with commercial interests he 
worked for the firm of Hntzel & Company, after- 
ward for the Eiierbacli Hardw\are Company and 
later for the J. C. Fischer Company. For two 
years he has been engaged in business on his own 
account under the firm style of Ryan & Schnei- 
der, at No. 115 North Main street, opposite the 
courthouse, where they do a large business in 
furnaces and sheet metal \york. The patronage 
is constantly growing- and has already reached 
extensive and profitable proportions, making their 
enterprise a leading commercial interest of the 
city. 

In 1 90 1 was celebrated the marriage of Wil- 
liam A, Schneider and Miss Matilda Weis, of 
^lanchester. Their children are two in number, 
Luella Marie and Earl William, Mr. Schneider 
holds membership relations with the Knights of 
the Maccabees and with the Zion Lutheran 
church, while in his political views he is a demo- 
crat. He keeps well informed on the questions 
and issues of the day, as every true American 
citizen should do, but is without political aspira- 
tions for himself. He is yet a young man but 
has attained a creditable position in business cir- 
cles and is building up a fine trade in his chosen 
field of endeavor. 



AARON LONG. 



Aaron Long, a cigar manufacturer of Ann Ar- 
bor, was born in Wiltshire, England, on the 3d 
of January, 1843. The father, Charles Long, 
emigrating with his family to Canada, died three 
weeks after his arrival in that country. Aaron 
Long was at that time but three years of age. 
The family landed at New York city and at once 
made their way to the British possessions to the 
north. Mr. and Mrs. Long were the parents of 
four children, of whom three are living: John, 
now a resident farmer of Canada; Aaron, of this 
review ; and Mrs. Ann Scott, the wife of a promi- 
nent contractor at Gait, Ontario, Canada. 

Aaron Long spent the early years of his life 
in Canada and pursued his education in the schools 
of Canada. He has for many years resided in Ann 



Arbor and is greatly respected ami esteemed by 
the business people of this city. He entered his 
present line of business in 1895 and as a cigar 
manufacturer is conducting a successful enter- 
prise at No. 115 North Main street, where he 
manufactures some very fine brands of cigars, not- 
ably the "Yellow and Blue," which is a ready 
seller on the market. He furnishes employment 
to a number of workmen and is in control of an 
enterprise which is steadily increasing in volume 
and im|)ortance, his trade bringing to him a good 
financial return. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Long, then a 
young man, responded to the call of the country 
for aid in the preservation of the Union and en- 
listed as a member of Company D, Second Michi- 
gan A'olunteer Cavalry, with which he saw much 
active service, being frequently in the thickest 
of the fight. He was also engaged in lonely picket 
duty and wherever stationed he was found loyal 
to the old flag and the cause it represented. 

In 1868 Mr. Long was married to Miss Mary 
Jane Bailey, of Ann Arbor and they have two chil- 
dren : Albert T., in Ann Arbor ; and Mrs. Hattie 
E. Smith, also of this city. The former is a di- 
rector of an orchestra and is also a member of the 
faculty of the University School of Music, pos- 
sessing superior talent and ability in that art. The 
same patriotic spirit which animated the father 
in the Civil war was also manifested by the son 
at the time of the Spanish-American war and as 
bugler he went to Cuba with the Twenty-third 
Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, Company A. 

Mr. Long is a valued representative of some 
fraternal organizations, including the Masonic 
Fraternity lodge, No. 262, in which he has held 
all of the chairs, serving as senior deacon for a 
number of years, and was a charter member of 
this lodge. He is likewise a member of Welch 
post, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant rela- 
tions with his old army comrades, recalling around 
the camp fires many events that occurred upon 
the battle fields of the south. His religious faith 
is in accord with the teachings of the Episcopal 
church and in politics he is independent where 
local questions are involved, while in national 
politics he gives an unfaltering support to the 
democracy. A long residence in Ann Arbor has 



298 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



made him well known, while his salient charac- 
teristics have been such as have grained for him the 
confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. 



CORNELIUS STEW ART. 

Cornelius Stewart, who for many years was 
well known as an agriculturist of Washtenaw 
county and business man of Ypsilanti. was born 
in Lodi. Xew York, September 28, 1817. His 
parents. Mr. and ^frs. Abraham .Stewart, were 
also natives of Xew York and were of Scotch- 
Irish descent. The father owned a lartje tract of 
land near Lodi and engaged in farming there 
throughout his active business life but both he 
and his wife died when their son Cornelius was 
very young, the mother when he was but nine 
days old and the father when he had reached the 
age of three years. 

Following his mother's death Cornelius Stewart 
was taken b\- his grandmother but she died a few 
years later and he was then reared by his mater- 
nal micle, Cornelius Cole, who gave him good ed- 
ucational privileges, ^^'hen his school life was 
ended, desiring to learn a trade. Mr. Stewart 
went to (^vid, Seneca county. New York, where 
he entered the employ of a tailor, with whom he 
worked for a short time, when he entered into 
partnership with a friend and established a retail 
clothing store in Ovid. Leaving his partners in 
charge of the store, he went to California in 1840 
and remained there about a year and a half, re- 
turning home with two thousand dollars in gold 
which he divided with his partner according to 
previous arrangements. Not long afterward he 
jiurchased his partner's interest and continued the 
business alone. He was accorded a liberal pat- 
ronage and was conducting a profitable business 
when, desiring to double his stock, he went to 
Rochester, where he purchased a large amount of 
men's clothing and furnishings. The Jews from 
whom he made the purchase, however, .swindled 
him and he was forced to make an assignment. He 
then came to the west, settling in ^^'ashtenaw 
county, where he purchased a small tract of land 
west of Ypsilanti and engaged in farming there 



for about five years. He then removed into the 
city and Mrs. Stewart purchased several building 
lots in the eastern part of the town for an invest- 
ment. Mr. Stewart accepted a position with the 
clothing manufacturers in their mills here, but 
only remained for a short time, when his health 
began to fail and he retired. 

]\Ir. Stewart was married in Cortland countv, 
New York, to Miss ]\Iary E. Spencer, a native of 
England, born April 27, 1817. and a daughter of 
Michael and Mary (Larvers) Spencer, who came 
from England to America in 1818, settling near 
Syracuse, in Onondaga county. .\ew York. The 
father was a tanner by tratle and conducted a 
business of that character for several vears, after 
which he removed to Cortland comity, where he 
also carried on a tannery. Finally disposing of his 
lanyard he ])urchased a farm in that county for 
his sons and witii them resitled on the farm muil 
the death of Mrs. Spencer, when the husband re- 
moved to the city of Cortland to live a retired 
life. Coming west to visit his daughter in Web- 
ster, Michigan, he was there taken ill and died 
very suddenly. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart became the 
parents of four sons and a daughter, .\lbert, 
born September t6. 1841. died in February. 1843. 
Edgcomb died in infancv. \\'ilmer. born Septem- 
ber II, 1844, served in the L'nion .\rmy and was 
wounded in the battle of Cettysburg. His mother 
brought him home and he died here. Edwin Eu- 
,gene, born September 2"^. 1847, died December 31, 
1854. Ella is the wife of Henry L. Stoup and 
the\' reside at No. 125 Towner street. Ypsilanti. 
^ir. Stoup is a millwright by trade and travels 
most of the time, installing machinery in mills 
throughout the state, Mr. and Mrs. Stou[) have 
four children : Mrs. Emma Robbins, of Ypsilanti ; 
Minnie, the wife of Fred Amerman, of Grand 
Rapids ; Hazel D., wife of Walter C. Pierce, a 
member of the police force here, and they reside 
with her grandnuither : and \\'ilmer, who died in 
infancy. 

The death of Mr. Stewart occurred March 2, 
1897, '^vhen he was seventy-nine years of age. His 
political support had always been given the re- 
]niblican party and he was a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic 
fraternitv. He became a charter member of the 




CORNELIUS STEWART. 



iv"" 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



301 



IMasonic lodge at Ovid. Xew York, and afterward 
diniitted to the lodge in Ypsilanti. He held mem- 
bership in the Congregational church, to which 
Mrs. Stewart also belongs, and all over this part 
of the county was known as a prominent citizen, 
worthy the regard which was so uniformly ac- 
corded him. Mrs. Stewart has sold some of her 
property here and in 1886 she purchased the 
beautiful home at Xo. 1 1 South Adams street, 
where she and Mr. and Mrs. Pierce reside. 
Although now past eighty-eight years of age, she 
is still very active, being remarkably well pre- 
served physically as well as mentally, and 
throughout the community she is held in warm 
esteem by young and old. for her life has por- 
trayed those qualities which ever awaken admira- 
tion and respect. 



HARRY C. BENHAM. 

Harry C. Benham, who is engaged in the in- 
surance business in Ann Arbor as the representa- 
tive of the National Casualty Company of Detroit, 
was born in the city where he yet resides on the 
2ist of December, 1868. His father, Samuel R. 
Benham, a native of New York, came to Ann Ar- 
bor in 1865 and for many years engaged in busi- 
ness here as a cigar manufacturer. He married 
Eliza Cluflf. a native of Ithaca, New York, and 
they Ijecame the parents of six daughters and two 
sons, namely: Mrs. Ella Bowers, who is living 
in Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Mrs. Mary Par- 
schal, of Detroit; Mrs. W. W. Watts, also of De- 
troit; Florence, who is assistant to Dr. Hall, a 
dentist of this city ; Hattie, who is living with her 
mother ; Harry C. ; Samuel L., of Ann Arbor ; and 
Mrs. Mabel A. Mayes, of New York. The mother 
is still living in this city, but the father died in 
1889 and his remains were interred in Forest Hill 
cemetery. 

In the public schools of his native city Harry 
C. Benham continued his education until he was 
graduated on the completion of the high school 
course. He afterward turned his attention to the 
jewelry business in Ann Arbor and when think- 
ing to find a broader and more profitable field 
17 



of labor in insurance circles he became a represen- 
tative of the National Casualty Company of De- 
troit, with which he has been connected for nine 
vears. He has fine offices in the Savings Bank 
Building and is doing a large business, writing 
annually policies which represent an extensive 
insurance. The same business instinct, adapta- 
bility and power of reading men are demanded in 
the successful insurance agent as in the successful 
merchant, together with a most thorough knowl- 
edge of the business in every department, so that 
one may meet every argument of a possible client. 
Alert, enterprising and sagacious, Mr. Benham 
has made rapid advance in this field of business 
and has gained desirable remuneration from his 
labor. 

In i8qi occurred the marriage of Harry Ben- 
ham and Agnes J. Seckinger of Chelsea, Michi- 
gan, and they have one son, Dion H., now a public 
school student. He possesses a beautiful voice 
and natural gift in music and is now a member of 
the surpliced choir of St. James church, of which 
his parents are members. Mr. Benham, frater- 
nally, is connected with the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks, while his political support 
is given to the democracy. Widely known in the 
city of his birth and residence, many of the ac- 
quaintances of his youth are numbered among his 
stalwart friends in manhood — an indication of 
a life that has been in harmony with manly con- 
duct and upright principles. 



SILAS H. DOUGLAS, M. D. 

Dr. Silas H. Douglas, for many _years promi- 
nently identified with Ann Arbor, twice its mayor, 
and for twenty-eight years a member of the uni- 
versity faculty, was born in Fredonia, Chautauqua 
county. New York, October 27, 1816, of parents 
who were among the earliest settlers of New Eng- 
land, and died at his home in Ann Arbor, August 
26, 1890. He prepared for college at Fredonia 
Academy and was graduated from the Univer- 
sity of Vermont, when he took his master's de- 
gree. He came to Michigan in 1838, locating in 
Detroit, where he studied medicine with Drs. 



302 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Rice and Pitcher. He took his degree of M. D. 
from the University of Maryland. Under Dr. 
Douglas Houghton he was connected with the 
Michigan geological survey and was with a gov- 
ernment party that negotiated Indian treaties. He 
came to Ann Arbor in 1843 =1"^ •" 1844 was ap- 
pointed assistant professor of chemistry in the 
University of Michigan. In 1846 he was made a 
full professor of chemistry and remained a pro- 
fessor in the university until 1875. He was largely 
instrumental in the organization of the department 
of medicine in the university and for a time held 
the chair of materia medica in addition to that 
of chemistry. For a considerable period he was 
the dean of the medical faculty. He introduced 
the laboratory method of instruction, then nearly 
unknown in medical schools, and now the princi- 
pal means of imparting instruction. In 1858 the 
chemical laboratory was built according to his 
plans and he was put at its head, making it, in 
the words of Dr. Tappan, "one of the most com- 
plete and efficient in our country." To the de- 
velopment of this laboratory he devoted the best 
years of his life. Dr. Douglas also had charge of 
the erection of the university observatory, the 
south wing of the main hall and the early univers- 
ity system of water-works. 

Dr. Douglas was a man of large business capac- 
ity and clear juilgment. In 1869 he org-anized the 
Ann Arbor Gas Company and for over twent\- 
years was its president. In 1871 and again in 
1872 he was elected mayor of Ann Arbor and in 
that capacit\ pmved one of the strongest mayors 
the city ever had. He re-organized the police 
force and among the many reforms he introduced 
was the present license system of the liquor traffic. 
Ann Arbor at the time he became mayor had over 
eighty saloons. He framed a city license ordinance 
which greatly restricted their number. The le- 
galitv of this ordinance was upheld by the supreme 
court and the legislature adopted Dr. Douglas' 
plan throughout the state, enacting a state license 
law. He was a stanch member of St. Andrew's 
church and served on the vestr\- for many years. 
Dr. Douglas was eminent in his chosen field of 
science and as an instructor sagacious and dis- 
creet in civil life, faithful as a churchman and up- 
right in his private character. 



Dr. Douglas was married May i, 1845, to Miss 
Helen Welles, who died November 24, 1880. They 
had seven children, three sons and four daughters. 
The sons are: William W., for many years a 
leading clothing merchant of Ann Arbor; Samuel 
T., a prominent lawyer of Detroit ; and Henry W., 
the superintendent of the Ann Arbor Gas Com- 
pany, one of the best known gas men in the state, 
who has served Ann Arbor as aldennan, ran sev- 
eral hundred votes ahead of his ticket for mayor 
and is at present a member of the park commis- 
sion. The daughters are the Misses Kate, Alice 
H. and Fouise Douglas, .\nother daughter. Miss 
Sarah F. Douglas, died April 28, 1891. 



HERBERT M. SFAUSON, Ph. B. 

Herbert ]\I. Slauson. superintendent of the 
schools of Ann Arbor since 1898, was born in 
Baldwinsville, Xew York, December 22, 1853, a 
son of James Oscar and Elvira (IMinor) Slauson, 
the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter 
of Fithopolis, Ohio. The father was a farmer by 
occupation and removed from the Empire state to 
Iowa, when his son Herbert was only two years 
of age. There he became identified with business 
interests. His identification with public affairs 
in that state proved of value to the locality and 
he continued an honored resident of Fort Dodge, 
Iowa, until his death, which occurred in 1892. 
His wife survived him for a number of years, 
passing away .\ugust 26. 1905. They had a son 
and (laughter, the latter being Harriet T. Slauson, 
who died in 1882. 

Professor Slauson of this review was reared in 
his parents' home in Iowa, and accpiired his ele- 
mentary education in the public schools there. He 
came as a student to Ann Arbor and was gradu- 
ated in iSyy on the completion of a course in the 
literary department of the State F'niversity. Fol- 
lowing his graduation he was eng-aged in teaching 
in Iowa. In 1898 he accepted the position of 
the superintendency of the schools of Ann Arbor 
and has since remained in charge of public in- 
struction here. He is a zealous and earnest edu- 
cator who inspires with his own zeal the teachers 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



303 



and pupils under him. There are now seventy- 
four teachers in the public schools of Ann Arbor 
and he has gained their active co-operation, while 
during his connection with the schools he has in- 
stituted many new and improved methods whose 
practical value has been proven in the excellent 
work done by the pupils. His office is in the new 
high-school building. 

In 1882 Professor Slauson was married to Miss 
Clara L. Conover, of .\nn .Arbor, and they occupy 
a beautiful residence at No. 433 Fifth avenue, 
which is the center of a cultured society circle. 
Professor and Airs. Slauson are members of the 
Methodist church and his political allegiance is 
given to the republican party. He is known today 
as one of the capable educators of the state, gain- 
ing a reputation that places him in the front rank 
of school superintendents of [Michigan. 



WILLIAAI HERZ. 



There is a strong German element in the citi- 
zenship of -Vnn .\rbor and Washtenaw countv, the 
representatives of the Teutonic race having been 
among the founders and promoters of the indus- 
trial, commercial and professional activity of this 
part of the state. 0{ this class Mr. Herz is a rep- 
resentative, his birth having occurred in .\geln. 
Magdeburg, Prussia, on the 24th of May, 1849, 
and his parents, .\ndrew and .\ugusta ("Schmidt) 
Herz. were also natives of that locality. The fa- 
ther was one of the early pioneers of this portion 
of the country, coming to .\nn Arbor in 1865, 
after which he engaged in building operations 
as a contractor. After an active and useful ca- 
reer, crowned by successful accomplishment, he 
passed away on the 14th of May, 1883, and his 
wife died October 27, 1889. In their family 
were two sons and a daughter, the youngest be- 
ing William Herz. of this review. The elder 
son. Carl, is a farmer residing near Terre Haute, 
Indiana, and the daughter, Paulina, is now de- 
ceased. 

\\'illiam Herz spent the first twentv years of 
his life in the land of his nativity, within which 
period he acquired a good public school and busi- 



ness education, pursuing his studies in Berlin and 
other cities of Germany. He then determined 
to come to America, believing that he might en- 
joy good business advantages in the new world. 
He had learned the trade of painting and deco- 
rating in his native country, and after reaching 
the American port, he at once proceeded to .Ann 
Arbor, where he established business as a deco- 
rator and painter at his present location. His 
efforts have since been concentrated along this 
line, and his persistency of purpose, his well de- 
fined actions and his skill have been strong and 
forceful factors in his prosperity. In 1871 he 
purchased the property at No. 112 West Wash- 
ington street and erected thereon a fine building, 
which he has since occupied for business pur- 
l)oses. Many large state contracts have been 
awarded him on public institutions, including 
painting and decorating in the buildings of the 
University of Michigan and the State Normal 
School of Ypsilanti. He emplovs manv men, re- 
quired by reason of the e.xtent of his patronage, 
and is today recognized as one of the leading rep- 
resentatives of the trade in this county. 

On the 4th of June. 1874, ]\Ir. Herz was united 
in marriage to Miss Sophia Muehlig. a native of 
Washtenaw county, and they have one son, Os- 
wald .\., who was born October 31, 1875, and is 
a young man of excellent business abilitv and 
laudable ambition, who is now with his father as 
a bookkeeper. 

While well known in the field of his chosen 
labor, Mr. Herz is. perhaps, equally prominent 
because of his activity in public affairs, commu- 
nity interests having been furthered bv his active 
co-o]3eration and tangible assistance. For eight 
years he has been alderman of the second ward, 
elected by both parties, an honor which requires 
no comment from the hstorian, for it indicates in 
itself his high standing in public regard, and is 
incontrovertible evidence of his marked fidelity 
to duty. He has been chairman of the election 
committee for eight years, and chairman of the 
lighting committe and the general fund for six 
years, and he exercises his official prerogatives in 
support of every measure that he deems will 
prove of practical good to the municipality. There 
is no better record in connection with the affairs 



304 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



of the citv government in Ann Arlxu" than that 
made by Mr. Herz. He has also figured in niili- 
tarv circles, having been a member of Company 
A and of Company B of the First Regiment of 
the Michigan National Guard for six years. He 
was the organizer of the local council of the 
Royal .-Vrcanuni. Schiller council. No. 595, of 
which he is still a member : and he also belongs to 
the Arbeiter A'erein and the Bethlehem Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran church, while in musical circles he 
is a prominent and ])opular factor, possessing a 
fine tenor voice and holding membership with 
manv singing societies. He has a beautiful home 
at No. 603 ^^'est Huron street ; and the hospital- 
itv, which he and his wife so graciously extend, 
is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Over 
the record of the business and public career, as 
well as the private life of ^^'illiam Herz, there 
falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil ; 
and he is justly classed with the representative 
citizens of Ann Arbor. 



GEORGE PICKERING GLAZIER. 

George Pickering Glazier, whose name is on 
the roll of Chelsea's honored dead, was born at 
Boston, Erie county. New York, April 5, 1841, 
his parents being George M. and Ann Maria 
Glazier. In 1846 his father came to MichigTin and 
settled at Jackson, where he died in 1854. The 
son attended school until the father's death, when 
it became necessary that he provide for his own 
support and he entered a drug store as salesman. 
During the evening hours he studied bookkeeping 
and subsequently he went to New York, where he 
completed a course by graduation in the American 
Pharmaceutical Association in 1863. Returning 
to Jackson, he then entered the drug business, re- 
maining there until 1862, when he removed to 
Parma, where he continued in the same line of 
merchandising as a partner of Thomas J. Stimson 
under the firm style of Glazier & Stimson. In 
1867, however, Mr. Glazier sold his interest in 
that store to his father-in-law and removed to 
Chelsea, where he opened a drug store, meeting 
with success in that undertaking from the begin- 



ning. Not long afterward he established a private 
banking business in which he was associated with 
M. J. Noyes under the firm style of Noyes & 
Glazier. This relation was maintained until about 
1873, when Mr. Noyes withdrew and Mr. Glazier 
conducted the bank alone. He also carried on 
his store until 1 88 1, when he retired and was suc- 
ceeded by his son, Frank P. Glazier. Having 
now the opportunity to give more of his time to 
banking, he conducted the business on a more ex- 
tensive scale than ever before. In 1880 the name 
of the institution ha<l Wvn changed to the Chelsea 
Savings Bank and Air. Glazier, occupying the 
position of cashier and thus acting as executive 
head, so continued until his death on the 3th of 
March, 1901. 

On the I2th day of May, 1861, Mr. Glazier 
was married to Miss Emily J. Stimson, a daughter 
of H. I. Stimson, of Parma, who came to Michi- 
gan in 1838 and settled in Lenawee county, where 
his daughter was born. There were three chil- 
dren of this marriage : Effie, who died at the age 
of six years ; Nora, who died when ten years of 
age ; and Frank P. 

In politics Mr. Glazier was an earnest repub- 
lican but without political aspiration. In igoi a 
fine memorial bank building was erected in his 
honor Ijy his son Frank at a cost of seventy thou- 
sand dollars. It is a granite and marble structure 
and would be a notable building in many a city 
of much larger size. Mr. Glazier was a man well 
liked and highly esteemed and his efiforts con- 
tributed substantially to the upbuilding and pro- 
motion of the interests of Chelsea. His marked 
cliaracteri sties were those of loyal citizenship, of 
progressive business life and of fidelity to the re- 
lations of friendship and the home. 



WILLIAM F. LODHOLZ. 

William F. Lodholz, now deceased, was for 
many years a well known and successful business 
man of Ann Arbor. Any one at all familiar with 
the history of Washtenaw county knows that the 
city and vicinty were largely settled up by a class 
of substantial German-Americans, and was to this 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



305 



class that the parents of I\[r. Lodliolz belonged. 
He was a son of Gottlob and Heinrika (Spat- 
iK'lfi Lodholz, both natives of Germany. After 
reinoN-iny- to the west they lived for sometime in 
Ypsilanti. Alichigan, and subseqnently came to 
Ann Arbor. 

^^ illiam F. Lodholz was born in Ypsilanti in 
1859 and accompanied his parents on their re- 
moval to this city in early yonth, so that he be- 
came a student in the ])iiblic schools of Ann -\r- 
bor. ^^'hen his education was completed he be- 
came a fact(ir in commercial circles here by es- 
tablishinL;' a grocery Inisiness, in which he C(3n- 
tinued nj) to the time of his death, his trade con- 
stanth' growing' in proportion to the increasing 
po]nilati< m. Tie was a man of keen discernment 
and much executive force in business affairs, and 
possessed the strong determination that enabled 
him to carr\' forward to successful completion 
whatever he undertook. He had a strong will 
and determined purpose, guided, however, by 
souncl judgment and honorable motives. 

In 1892 Mr. Lodholz was married to ]\Iiss 
.Mary .\. Moses, of Lansing, Michigan, a daugh- 
ter of Charles and Hannah ( Anway ) ^Nloses, who 
were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respect- 
ively. Mr. and Mrs. Lodholz had one son, Ray- 
mond, who is Udw a bright and manly bo\- of ten 
years, attending the ])ublic schools here. 

Mr. Lodholz was a man of high standing in 
the comnnmity. respected by all who knew him 
an<l held in most friendly regard b)- a very large 
circle of acquaintances. He was identified with 
the Pienevolent and Protective ( )rder of Elks and 
the ;\Iasonic fraternity and was true to the teach- 
ings of those lodges. In his ])olitical views he was 
a republican but ne never sought i>r desired office, 
preferring to concentrate his energies u])on his 
business affairs, in which he met with signal suc- 
cess. His entire life was jjassed in this county 
and that he was best liked where best known was 
an indication of an honorable and straightforward 
career. I le passed away on the 24th of March. 
1904, at the comparatively early age of forty-four 
years and his death was deeply deplored b\- man\ 
who knew him. 

Mrs. Mary Lodholz since her husband's death 
has verv successfullv carried on the crocerx- and 



bakery business established by her husband. She 
is a woman of splendid business attainments, 
pleasing personality and of strong executive force 
and in the control of her commercial interests has 
met with very gratifying success. She has a large 
plant located at No. 1000 Firoadwav in what is 
called the Lower Town near the ^Michigan Central 
de|)ot. Ller trade, however, extends all over the 
cit\ and she has a fine delivery system and her 
store is equipped with telejihones so that orders 
are taken direct from customers in that way. She 
carries a very large and carefully selected stock of 
goods, the tasteful arrangement of which is an- 
other feature in the success of the store. In con- 
ducting the business she has followed the safe, 
conservative and hduorable principles laid down 
by her husband and already sb.e has made for her- 
self a most creditable name in commercial circles. 



CIIRISTI.W C. KOCH. 

Christian ( i. Koch is a member of the tirni of 
Koch llrothers, well known contractors of .\mi 
.\rbor with a business which at once indicates 
their standing in industrial circles and the trust 
uniformly reposed in them. 

Mr. Koch was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, 
August 22, i8r)2, his parents being George and 
Annie ( .\tta ) Koch. Tlie father was a merchant 
and game warden for the government and died 
when his son Christian was but two years old. 
The mother long survived and jjassed away in the 
place of her nativity in 1891. They were the par- 
ents of three sons and two daughters, namely : 
Christian G. : John, a mason contractor and 
builder, who is a member of the firm of Koch 
Prothers ; Henry, who is a mason and works for 
the firm ; Mrs. Sophie Paker, a resident of Ger- 
man\' ; and .Vnna Marie, who is also living in the 
fatherland. 

Christian G. Koch spent the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in his native country and acquired 
his education in the public schools there. He was 
a young man of about twenty-three years when 
in 1S85. attracted by the business possibilities of 
the new world, he came to the I'nited States. 



3o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



making his way at once into the interior of the 
countr)-. Coming to Ann Arbor, he began work 
as a carpenter and builder in the employ of his 
brother John Koch, who after two years admitted 
him to a partnership under the present firm style 
of Koch Brothers. They are widely recognized as 
leading contractors of this city with a business 
that is extensive and profitable and they have 
erected many of the finest structures here, includ- 
ing the new homeopathic hospital connected with 
the University of Michigan, St. Thomas Roman 
Catholic and Zion Lutheran churches, and the 
Farmers and Mechanics and State Savings 
lianks. 

Mr. Ivoch married Miss Sarah P, Staebler, a 
daughter of Jacob Staebler, of Scio township, and 
unto them have been born five sons: Irwin, 
George C, ( )scar W.. Karl II., and Oswald J. 
The family occupy a very handsome residence at 
720 South Main street. They have a large circle 
of warm friends and are highly respected 
throughout the entire community. 

Mr. Koch is identifiefl with some fraternal or- 
ganizations, including the Ancient ( )rder of 
United Workmen and the Knights of the ]\lac- 
cabees, wiiile his religious faith is indicated by 
his membership in the Zion German Lutheran 
church. He has never had occasion to regret his 
determination to seek a home in America, for 
here he has found the business opportunities he 
sought, which by the way are always open to 
young men of determination and ability. As the 
years have gone by through the careful utilization 
of the possibilities which surround all he has ad- 
vanced until his position in industrial circles is a 
prominent one, while his business is represented 
bv a large figure annualh'. 



\EIDER L. SH.VNKLAND. 

Wider L. Shankland, superintendent of the 
county farm of Washtenaw county, was born in 
Northfield township, March 24, 1837, and is a 
son of Robert and Anabel ( Bennett ) Shankland. 
The father was a native of the state of Xew 
York, Ijorn November 3, 1791. He served his 



country as a soldier in the war of 1812, and in 
1832 came to Michigan, attracted by the possi- 
bilities of this new unsettled country which, how- 
ever, was rich in its natural resources. He took 
up his abode in Ann Arbor and later removed to 
Northfield township, where the birth of his son, 
\'eider L., occurred. There he purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land which was wild 
and unimproved, but he transformed it into a 
well cidtivated tract that annually yielded to 
him good harvests. In 1837. however, he sold 
that property with the intention of going to Texas, 
but when he had proceeded only a half mile on his 
way he was in a runaway. Regarding that as a 
bad omen he gave u]) the tri]) to Texas and in- 
vested liis funds in one hundred and si.xty acres of 
land in .Salem townshi]). whereon he continued to 
reside u|) to the time of his death, which occurred 
in ( )ctober, 1886, at the age of ninety-five years. 
I le had thus been a resident of the countv for 
more than a half century and had witnessed its 
wonderful growth and develounient. ^Iso aiding 
in the work of improvement as the years passed 
by. He married Miss liennett. who was born in 
.Massachusetts, and by this marriage there were 
eight children. Thomas, who married Delia 
Moore and had three children, died u])on the old 
homestead farm. Carolina married Ira Root, by 
whom she had four children, and both she and her 
husband are now deceased. William married 
Martha Mtwre, had one child, and has now 
passed away, .\rabelle became the wife of 
David Bosford and both are deceased. 
James died in i86(). .\ndrew married Julia .Sav- 
age and has two children living in .\nn Arbt)r. 
Veider L, is the ne.xt of the family. Margaret is 
the wife of John Hart. The father was a Univer- 
salist in his religious faith and in his political 
views was a life-long democrat. He served as 
justice of the peace for many years and his decis- 
ions were strictly fair and impartial, which ac- 
counts lor his long retention in office and the trust 
so uniformly accorded him. He belonged to the 
Masonic fraternity while in the east. All who 
knew him respected him for his genuine worth 
and his name is inseparablv interwoven with the 
pioneer history of Washtenaw county. 

W'ider L. .Shankland resided at home until 




MRS. \". L. SHAXKLAXD. 




V. L. SHANKLAND. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



3" 



twenty years of age and assisted in the work of 
the farm. He also spent some time in working for 
others and in the winter months he attended the 
public schools, acquiring a fair English education 
in that way. He was married in 1863 to Miss 
Mary M. Bush, who was born April 10, 1846, and 
was a daughter of William Hush, a native of New 
York, who came to Michigan prior to the birth 
of his daughter. For long years he was known as 
a prominent and influential farmer of Superior 
township but later removed to .\nn Arbor town- 
ship, where his death occurred. His political alle- 
giance was given to the democracy. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Shankland was born a son, John, who 
married Myra ("lalpin. They live ui^'m his father's 
farm and have two children: Maud, the wife of 
Dr. John Lemon, of Whitmore Lake, Michigan, 
bv whom she has two children : Robert, who mar- 
ried Allie .Shuart and has tiiree children, their 
home being at Di.xbi^ro. He has been sujiervisor 
for three years and his connection with business 
interests is that of proprietor of a grocery and 
creamery. 

.After his marriage \'eider L. Shankland pur- 
chased one hundred acres of land in .Superior 
township, where he made his home and engaged 
in farming until about twelve years ago, when he 
was elected for the position of su|)erintendent of 
the county farm of Washtenaw county. In this 
capacity he has since served with credit to himself 
and with satisfaction to his fellow citizens. He 
has always been a democrat in his political views 
and he filled the office of town treasurer and high- 
way commissioner, acting in the latter capacity 
for several terms. Prior to locating on the county 
farm he was engaged in the grocery business for 
several years. In the administration of the duties 
of the office which he is now filling he is practical 
and reliable, bringing to his work the same energy 
and determination that ever characterized the con- 
duct of his private business interests. 

He believes in the LTniversalist doctrine and his 
life has been in keeping with honorable and manly 
principles. For sixty-eight years a resident of the 
county, he well deserves mention among its hon- 
ored ])ioneer settlers, for he has witnessed the 
greater jjart of its growth and development. Lie 
has seen its forests cut di i\\ n and the land re- 



claimed for the purposes of civilization and as the 
years have passed he has given hearty co-opera- 
tion to many movements which have been of di- 
rect and permanent benefit to the county. 



CHARLES L. AIILLER. 

Charles L. Miller, an enterprising and prosper- 
ous young man of .\nn Arbor and a popular citi- 
zen, was born at Dunkirk, New York, August 25, 
1869, his parents being Louis and Alinnie 
( Schultz) Miller, both of whom were natives of 
Germany. The father came to this country in 
his youth and, settling in New York state, event- 
ually became a farmer there, carrying on agricul- 
tural pursuits in the east until 1874, when he re- 
moved to Michigan where for a long period he 
was activelv engaged in general farming in Wash- 
tenaw county. He is now living in Ami Arbor 
in the enjoyment of an honorable retirement 
from further labor, but his wife has passed away. 

Being a voung lad when brought by his parents 
to Michigan. Charles L. IMiller accjuired his edu- 
cation in this city and entered upon his business 
career as an employe of the firm of Dean & 
Company about 1890. He remained with that 
house for ten years, during which time he be- 
came familiar with the trade and with mercantile 
methods both in principle and detail. His energy, 
fidelitN' and capability won him promotion from 
time to time, his wages being correspondingly 
increased and when from his earnings he had 
saved enougli to enable him to join the ranks of 
business men in this city he embarked in the gro- 
cer\- business on his own account in 1900 under 
the firm style of Miller & Smith. This relation 
was maintained for one year, when the junior 
partner sold his interest and the firm has since 
been Aliller & Pray. They conduct an excellent 
grocer\- store, well equipped with a fine line of 
staple and fancy goods and its neat and attractive 
arrangement, the reasonable prices and fair deal- 
ing of the proprietors have secured a liberal and 
growing patronage. The store is conveniently 
located on North Main street. 



312 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Mr. Miller is well known in connection with 
fraternal and political interests of Ann Arbor and 
is now clerk of Ann Arbor camp. No. 2796, M. 
^\^ A. He likewise holds membership relations 
with the Knights of the Maccabees and is a com- 
mnnicant of the Githolic church. Politically a 
republican, he has served as alderman of the third 
ward for two terms and is now a member of the 
board of education. His interest in community 
affairs is deep and sincere and arises from a pub- 
lic spirited devotion to the general good. He is 
a man of fine personal appearance, of upright 
character and of a genial, affable nature, which 
has made him popular with both business associ- 
ates and the friends of social circles. 



GOTTLIEP. H. ^^TLD. 

Gottlieb H. Wild, who is connected with the 
business interests of Ann Arbor as a tailor, was 
born in Leinfelden county, Stuttgart, Germany, 
in 1865, and represents one of the old families of 
that country, the ancestral history, as far as is 
known, being interwoven with the records of 
Germany. His father, John (ieorge Wild, was 
born in Germany, and came to America in i8q2, 
since which time he has resided in Ann Arbor, 
and is now employed in his son's tailoring estab- 
lishment. He married Miss Wilhelmina Reick. 
also a native of the fatherland : and her death oc- 
curred in Ann Arbor, when she was fifty-four 
years of age. In their family were seven chil- 
dren, four sons and three daughters, namely: 
David and Gottlieb H., who are partners in the 
tailoring business here; Michael G., who is in 
the employ of his brothers: William, who is liv- 
ing in this city : Caroline : Fredericka : and \\"\\- 
helmina. 

While in his native country Gottlieb H. \\'ild 
learned the tailor's trade with his father, serving 
a regular four years' apprenticeship after leav- 
ing school. He came to America when but sev- 
enteen years of age, and made his way to Ann 
.\rbor, having relatives in this city, who had 
come to the new world in 1833. Here Mr. Wild 
entered the employ of James Staflford, and later 



went to Toledo, C)hioi where he followed his 
trade as a journeyman until 1887. In that year 
he embarked in business on his own account in 
Toledo, but after a \ear returned to Ann Arbor, 
and, believing that a ])rofitable field of labor was 
open in the tailoring trade, he established his 
present business in Januar\-, 1888, locating on 
East Washington street, between ^Main street and 
Fourth avenue. There he remained until 1904. 
when he removed to 311 South State street, 
where he is now located, occupying a new Iniild- 
ing. which he erected for that purpose. His busi- 
ness venture here has been attended with success, 
and he now has an excellent patronage drawn 
from the best class of citizens here. This is owing 
to his excellent work, his trade continually in- 
creasing, for the service he renders his customers 
is entirelv satisfactory. In 1890 he admitted his 
brother David to a partnership, the latter having 
previously learned the business, and they are now 
associated imder the firm style of G. FI. Wild & 
Company. 

Mr. Wild of this review was married in Ann 
,\rl)or in 1891 to Miss Martha Wurster, whose- 
birth occurred in Dexter, Michigan, her father 
being Michael Wurster of that town. They have 
three children, all of whom were born in Ann 
Arlior, Erwin C. George .\. and Helen H. 

In his political views Mr. W\\c\ is a republican, 
and belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the 
Elks lodge. He possesses many of the sterling 
characteristics of the German race, including the 
substantial c|ualities of an honorable manhoood. 
which contribute to the happiness as well as the 
success of life. 



PETER SUYDAM KNIGHT. 

Peter Suydam Knight, who for more than half 
a century has been a resident of Michigan, where 
he began life in the humble capacity of a farm 
hand, is now the owner of a valuable property of 
one hundred and four acres on section 22 Bridge- 
water township, the place being equipped with all 
modern conveniences, including a handsome resi- 
dence and large and substantial outbuildings. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



313 



Mr. Knig-|it is a native of Seneca county. New 
York, his natal year being' 1833. He was the sec- 
ond of seven children born unto John S. and Sally 
Ann ( Swarthout ) Knig^ht. The father was born 
in New Jersey, April 15. 1807, and was a son of 
Luke and Jane ( Suydani ) Knight, both natives 
of Middlesex county. New Jersey, the former 
born September 22. 1773, and the latter April 17, 
1774. Mrs. Jane Knight died in Seneca county. 
New York, August 10, 1849. ^''"-' ''^'^ two daugh- 
ters who died in the east. The family were of 
Scotch descent and the original American ances- 
tors came to this country at an early day. John 
S. Knight became a blacksmith and not only fol- 
lowed his trade but also carried on farming in 
New Jersey. He married Miss Sally Ann Swarth- 
out, who was born in Ovid, Seneca county. New 
York, April 23, 181 1, and was the youngfest in a 
family of eleven children whose parents were 
Ralph and Lois (Halstead) Swarthout. Her 
father was also a native of Seneca county, born 
January i, 1764, and died December 11, 1845, 
while her mother was born October i, 1767, and 
died December 28, 1849. Her paternal grand- 
father was a major in the Continental militia. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. John S. Knight were devoted 
members of the Reformed church, taking an ac- 
tive interest in its work and the extension of its 
influence, Mr. Knight serving for a long period 
as one of the church ofificers. He was also a well- 
to-do and industrious business man and a good 
citizen. His political support was given to the 
whig party until its dissolution, when he joined 
the ranks of the new republican party. He died 
June 9, 1882, and his wife passed away in Sep- 
tember, 1894. In their family were seven chil- 
dren : Mary, the deceased wife of William Smith, 
of Seneca county. New York; Peter; Matilda, 
who is the widow of Hiram Lammoreau, who was 
a soldier of the Civil war and a resident of Seneca 
county : Ralph, who served in the Union army and 
died at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1861 ; Lois, the de- 
ceased wife of Louis Brown, of Seneca county; 
Luther, who has also passed away; and Charles, 
an engineer at Geneva, New York. 

Peter S. Knight was reared to farm life and 
largely acquired his education in the schools of 



Lodi township, Waslitenaw ciiunty. He came to 
Alichigan in 1852 and began work as a farm hand 
near Tecumseh at sixteen dollars per month. He 
was employed in that way for seven years, when 
with the money he had saved from his earnings 
he purchased sixty-two acres of the farm on which 
he now lives on section 22, Bridgewater town- 
ship. To this tract he added as his financial re- 
sources permitted until he now has a valuable 
property of one hundred and fciur acres. LTpon 
this place he has erected a handsome residence 
and also good outbuildings which are in keeping 
with his home. All modern equipments are found 
upon this place and the well tilled fields return 
good harvests. Mr. Knight is still a strong and 
vigorous man. who has led a frug-al, industrious 
life and is now a prosperous citizen of his com- 
munity. 

In 1862 occurred the marriage of Peter S. 
Knight and Miss Sarah Remington who was born 
in Macon, Lewanee county, Michigan, in 1840 
and died in 1902. She was a daughter of James 
Lenardo Remington, a native of Massachusetts, 
who became a pioneer settler of Lenawee county, 
where he followed farming. He married Miss 
Ann Wheeler, a native of New York, and they 
became the parents of nine children : Sarah, de- 
ceased ; Anna, the wife of George Howell, of Te- 
cumseh, ^Michigan ; Ransom, who is living in 
Montana ; Maria, the wife of Wesley Bennington, 
of Macon, Michigan ; Lorain, a resident of Frank- 
lin, this state ; Clara, the deceased wife of Morton 
Goodin ; Ella T., the wife of Thomas Temple, of 
Detroit : William, of Montana : and Elisha and 
Lenardo, both deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Knight became the parents of 
three children. Carrie A., who was born Decem- 
ber 12, 1853, is the wife of Alfred Frederick 
Allen, a farmer of Clinton, Michigan. Flavius 
J., born in 1868, is a graduate of the medical 
department of the Michigan LTniversity at Ann 
Arbor and is now a practicing physician of Char- 
lotte, this state. Clyde L., born in 1874, married 
Grace Martin, a daughter of Merritt and Anna 
fSaxton) Martin, both natives of Lenawee 
county, while their respective parents were na- 
tives of New York and became early settlers of 



3H 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



]\lichisan. Air. and Mrs. Clyde Knight have two 
cliildren : Peter Lenardo. born August 28, 1903 ; 
and John Martin, horn February 4. 1905. 

The family are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, in which Peter S. Knight is serving 
as steward and in the work of the church he has 
taken an active and helpful interest. He has been 
a life-long republican, giving his support to that 
party since its organization, and he belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity. All that he possesses and 
enjoys has been acquired through his own labors 
and now he has a handsome competence and valu- 
able property as the reward of his earnest work in 
former years. 



THEODORE F. PROCHNOW. 

Theodore F. Prochnow, proprietor of a restau- 
rant in Ann Arbor, is a native son of Washtenaw 
county, his birth having occurred in Northfield 
township, on the 26th of September, 1875. His 
parents were Frederick and Lovena (Steffee) 
Prochnow, both of whom were natives of Ger- 
many. When a lad of twelve years the father 
crossed the Atlantic to America, and made his 
way direct to Ann Arbor, since which time he has 
been a resident of Washtenaw county. In his 
youth he was emplo)'ed as a farm hand and 
worked for various agriculturists of the com- 
munity ; but the years and his well directed labors 
brought him success, and, when he had saved a 
sufficient sum from his earnings, he made pur- 
chase of a tract of land, to which he has since 
added until he is now the owner of a large and 
valuable farm of two hundred acres in North- 
field township, well improved and highly culti- 
vated, this property classing him witli the sub- 
stantial citizens of his part of the county. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Prochnow liave been 
born four children: Theodore F., of tliis re- 
view ; Thad C who carries on farming pursuits 
on a place adjoining his father's home ; Louis, 
who is upon the home farm ; and Carrie, sixteen 
years of age. who completes the family, and is 
yet with her parents. 

Theodore F. Prochnow, reared on the old fam- 
ily homestead, pursued his carlv education in the 



grammar school of Northfield, and passed 
through successive grades until he became a high 
school student. Later he continued his studies in 
Ann Arbor, where he pursued a business course ; 
and after leaving school he embarked in the res- 
taurant business, in which he has continued for 
four years, his present location being at No. 104 
East Huron street. That he conducts his busi- 
ness in a manner satisfactory to the public, is in- 
dicated by the liberal patronage whicli is ac- 
corded liim, for he has many regular patrons as 
well as transient trade, and is now prospering in 
his undertaking. 

In 1902 Mr. Prochnow was united in marriage 
to Miss Carrie Ludwig, of Northfield, and they 
have a little daughter, Gladys, in her first year. 
Mr. Prochnow belongs to the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks, and the Woodmen of 
.\merica. while his religious faith is indicated by 
his membership in the Zion Lutheran church. Po- 
litically he is a stanch democrat, active in the 
work of the party and well informed concerning 
questions and issues of the day ; and he has 
served as clerk and supervisor of the township of 
Northfield. 



CHARLES HENRY SCHROEN. 

Charles Henry Schroen, who was born in York 
township, November 30, 1870, and makes his 
home in Saline, is a son of Adam Schroen, whose 
birth occurred in Mankshausen in the duchy of 
Hesse, Germany, November i, 1845. He sailed 
for America in .\ugust, 1862, coming to York 
township, where he occupied a farm of one hun- 
dren and twenty-seven acres upon which he still 
resides. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Elizabeth Eggler, is also a native of Hesse and 
sailed for the United States on the same vessel on 
which her future husband was a passenger. They 
were married after arriving in this country and 
they are yet worthy residents of York township, 
where Mr. Schroen gives his time and attention 
to agricultural ]iursuits, being one of the well 
known and enterprising farmers of his commu- 
nity. The members of their family are as fol- 
lows : John L, a resident farmer of Pittsficld 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



315 



township ; Eckliardt E., who was graduated from 
Sahne high school in the class of 1905 and in 
1906 expects to enter the University of Michigan ; 
Adam G., a resident farmer of York township ; 
Charles Henry, of this review ; Mary, the wife of 
Jacob Kaiser, who is living in Ingham county, 
Michigan ; Melvina, the wife of Frederick Kaiser, 
also of Ingham county ; and Leah and Olga, who 
are at home. 

Charles Henry Schroen, reared under the pa- 
rental roof, early became familiar with the duties 
and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist 
and assisted his father in the work of the home 
farm through the period of his youth. He was 
married on the loth of May, 1896, to Miss Emma 
J. Hauser, a daughter of John and Heinericka 
Hauser, of Pittsfield, and they now have three in- 
teresting children: Clarence Karl, Edwin W. 
and Luella M. The parents are members of the 
German Lutheran church. Their residence is a 
handsome home in Saline, where they have a wide 
and favorable acquaintance, enjoying the warm 
regard of all who know them. Mr. Schroen's 
business connection with Saline is that of a mer- 
chant and in trade circles he bears an excellent 
reputation by reason of his up-to-date store, for 
he carries a large line of well selected merchan- 
dise and also by reason of his honorable methods 
and his earnest desire to please his patrons. 



ALBERT E. REYNOLDS. 

Albert E. Reynolds is the owner of large 
landed interests in Michigan, while his business 
interests in Ann Arbor are represented by a fine 
billiard hall and cigar store. He is a native son 
of Washtenaw county, his birth having occurred 
in Ypsilanti on the 21st of September, 1868. His 
father. William Reynolds, \vas likewise a native 
of Michigan, while the paternal grandfather was 
of English birth and in early life became a sea- 
faring man, eventually winning promotion until 
he had become captain of a vessel. Taking up 
his abode in Michigan, he here reared his family, 
living in this city in pioneer times. William Rey- 
nolds is also numbered among the pioneer settlers 



of the Wolverine state, having been reared amid 
the wild scenes and environments of the frontier 
and sharing with the family in all the hardships 
and trial as well as pleasures incident to pioneer 
life. Becoming a farmer, he prospered in his 
business affairs and made his home upon a large 
farm of six nundred acres in Wayne county. 
While still a boy he became a resident of this 
countv, making his home in Ypsilanti, where oc- 
curred the birth of Albert E. Reynolds. 

Being reared in his native city, Albert E. Rey- 
nolds at the usual age began his education as a 
public school student there and he was afterward 
the first pupil and the first graduate of the Cleary 
Business College of Ypsilanti. He was a self-ed- 
ucated man in that he worked his own way 
through school. Being ambitious to acquire good 
education and realizing its value as a preparation 
for life's practical and responsible duties, he 
earned the money which paid his tuition and met 
the other expenses of his course. After leaving 
school he spent five years as a traveling salesman 
to the jobbing trade and a representative of the 
firm of Brown Brothers, of Detroit, who later 
sold out to the trust. Subsequently he established 
a large store on Woodward avenue in Detroit, 
having an excellent location there. He has at 
different times been connected with the hotel busi- 
ness, being at the Grand on Mackinac Island, at 
the Wayne in Detroit and also at the Cadillac in 
the latter city. He is largely interested in the 
cattle and land business, having vast tracts of 
land in various parts of Michigan and he is ex- 
tensively and successfully engaged in the cattle 
Inisiness with his uncle, George W. Robson, who 
is a retired lumberman and capitalist living in 
\'an Buren township, Wayne county. As before 
stated, Mr. Reynolds' business interests in Ann 
Arbor are represented by a fine cigar store, 
billiard hall and fine bowling alleys at Nos. 220 
and 222 South State street, where he has been 
located for three years. The billiard hall is large 
and splendidly equipped and he has the patronage 
of many of the students of the LTniversity of 
iMichigan as well as many of the permanent resi- 
dents of the city. He has resided in Ann Arbor 
since 1900, during which time he has gained a 
wide and favorable acquaintance here. 



3t6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



In 1884 Mr. Reynolds was nnited in marria.£;e 
to Miss Hattic E. Crimmins, of Detroit. He has 
one sister living. Mrs. Gertrude Schaner, a 
widow, who now resides with her mother. A 
member of the Elks lodge of .\nn .Vrhor, he is 
now filling the chair of esquire. Personally genial 
and affable, readily winning and retaining 
friends, Mr. Reynolds is popular in the city which 
he has adopted as his place of residence. More- 
over, in business affairs he is recognized as a man 
of excellent ability, executive force and keen dis- 
cernment, who has carefully placed his invest- 
ments and is capabl_v managing thcni. 



JAMES BUCHANAN WALLACE, Ph. D.. 
M. D. 

Professional life in Saline is well represented 
by Dr. James Buchanan Wallace, one of the ca- 
pable physicians and surgeons of Washtenaw 
county. He was born in Library, Pennsylvania, 
October 8, 1864. Tlis father, John William Wal- 
lace, was a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 
and a son of James Wallace, whose birth occurred 
in Ayreshire, Scotland, near the Renfrew border. 
He was a descendant of the illustrious Wallace 
family that furnished to the world the great 
Scottish patriot, William Wallace, whose life of 
heroism has proved the foundation of many a 
thrilling tale known to every school boy where 
the English language is spoken. John William 
Wallace, father of our subject, was a farmer bv 
occupation, and married Miss Jennie Reddick, a 
native of Ligonier. I-'ennsylvania, whose ances- 
tors came to America from the west of Ireland. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were born three sons 
and a daughter: James B. ; W'illiam, who is en- 
.gaged in the real-estate business in Pittsburg. 
Pennsylvania : Samuel Carson, superintendent of 
schools in Penn township, Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania ; and Emma, who is living with her 
parents. 

Dr. Wallace, of this review, supplemented his 
early education by a course of study in Mount 
Union College in Ohio, from which in.stitution he 
was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts in the class of 1887. He next entered the 



Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny 
City, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1890, 
and was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry. 
He received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 
in 1900 from his alma mater. For thirteen years 
he had charge of the churches of his denomina- 
tion in Freeport, Pennsylvania, Saginaw, Mich- 
igan, and Detroit. For a year before leaving the 
ministry he devoted his leisure hours to the study 
of medicine, and then matriculated in Detroit 
College of Medicine, from which he won his M. 
D. degree in 1901. The same year he located for 
practice in Saline, where he has since remained 
and his patronage now covers a wide territory. 
He is a capable physician, correct in his diag- 
nosis of a case, and in the application of his sci- 
entific knowledge to the needs of suffering hu- 
manity. 

In 1895 Dr. Wallace was united in marriage to 
Miss Margaret McGary, a daughter of Frank 
and Margaret McCary, of Saginaw, j\Iichigan. 
They are members of the Presbyterian church ; 
and fraternally Dr. Wallace is connected with ' 
Saline lodge, No. 133, A. F. & .\. M. ; Peninsula 
chapter, R, A. M., Detroit ; and Saginaw coun- 
cil, R. & S. M. His political allegiance is given 
to the re]jul)lican party, and upon its ticket he 
was elected coroner of \\^ashtenaw county in 
1904. He is also the present health officer of 
Saline, and is a member of the board of educa- 
tion. He is popular because of a genial manner, 
unfailing courtesy and deference for the opinions 
of others ; and he is highly respected by reason 
of his ability in the line of his profession, and his 
fidelity to honorable, manly principles, as well as 
to a high standard of professional ethics. 



REV. ALEXANDER L. NICKLAS. 

Rev. Alexander L. Nicklas, pastor of Zion 
Lutheran church in Ann Arbor, one of the strong- 
est organizations of this denomination in the 
middle west, was born in Bradys Bend, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1867, and is a son of Alexander and 
Christina (Hilfinger) Nicklas, both of whom 
were natives of Germany. The father was born 




DR. J. B. WALLACE. 



i8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



319 



in Hesse Pfaffenberfiirth, in 1826, and the 
mother's birth occurred in Wurtemberg, in 1828. 
Thev were married, however, in Pennsylvania. 
While in his native country the father served in 
the German army for si.x years and five months 
and soon after the close of his military service in 
1853 he came to America. He was a carpenter 
bv trade and, establishing- his home in Pennsyl- 
vania, was employed at building operations 
throughout his remaining days, his death oc- 
curring in the Keystone state in 1872. His wife 
survived until 1878, when she, too, was called to 
iicr final rest. In their famil}' were si.x children, 
of whoiu two died in childhood. The others are : 
.Mrs. Margaret Lautenschlaeger, a widow, resid- 
ing with her brother. Rev. A. L. Nicklas ; Charles, 
who is connected with the street car service in 
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Alexander, of this re- 
view ; an<l Louisa, the wife of William Harbin, of 
-\llegheny City, Pennsylvania. 

Rev. Nicklas pursued his earlv education in 
the schools of Butler, Pennsylvania, and following 
his mother's death in 1878, he l^eing then eleven 
years of age, he was sent to the Wernle Orphans' 
Home at Richmond, Indiana, an institution of the 
Lutheran church. There he spent three years, 
after which he became a student in the Capital 
University at Coluiubus, Ohio, from which he 
was graduated with the class of 1888. Having 
determined upon the ministry as a life profession 
he next entered the Lutheran Seminary at Colum- 
l)ns. Ohio, and began preparation for his holv 
calling. He is a graduate of that school of the 
class of 1891. His first appointment was at 
Marion, C)hio, where he remained as pastor of the 
Emanuel English Lutheran church for five vears 
and was very successful in his W(jrk there. He 
was then called to Ann Arbor. Michigan, this 
being the seventh call he had received from 
churches desiring his services. He came to .\nn 
Arbor in 1896 as the pastor of Zion Lutheran 
church and has here since remained. 

In 1895 ^^y- Nicklas was married to Miss 
Marie Ritz. of Franklin, Ohio, a daughter of 
Setestian and Catherine Ritz. Her father died in 
1905, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. 
Rev. and Mrs. Nicklas have two children, Ger- 
trndf and Leona. In politics Rev. Nicklas is not 



a party man but keeps in touch with the political 
situation of the country as every true American 
citizen should do. His time and energies, how- 
ever, are almost entirely given to his church, 
which, under his guidance, has made substantial 
growth. 

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran church was or- 
ganized in 1875 ^itl'' 3- membership of fifty 
families, who left the Bethlehem church. Rev. 
H. F. Belser, father of Dr. Reiser, was called to 
the first pastorate of the church and so continued 
for fifteen years or until 1890. Services were 
first held in the old Congregational church, which 
had been purchased for forty-three hundred dol- 
lars and the original board of elders was com- 
posed of William J. Merkle, Phillip Lohr and 
Christian Mack, while the members of the board 
of trustes were Christian Hofifstetter, A. D. Sey- 
ler. L. Schleicher, Fred Hutzel, Conrad Schnei- 
der and Frederick Schmid. The new congrega- 
tion established a parochial school, of which 
Gottlieb Kurtz was the teacher for fifteen vears 
and was then succeeded by Louis Boes, who is 
the teacher at the present time. In 1876 a pipe 
organ was installed and in 1879 the church build- 
ing was remodeled. In 1889 the Ladies' Aid 
Society was organized with a membership of one 
hundred and fifty. The first cliange in the pastor- 
ate occurred in 1890, when Rev. M. C. Hein suc- 
ceeded Rev. Belser, continuing in charge for six 
years, or until 1896. In 1890 a young men's so- 
ciety and also a young ladies' society were or- 
ganized and in 1896 these consolidated under the 
name of the Young People's Society. In 1894 
the old church was torn down and a new edifice 
was erected at a cost of twenty-one thousand dol- 
lars, the corner stone being laid on the 27th of 
May, 1894, while the church was dedicated on the 
16th of December of the satue year. Rev. Hein 
resigned in the spring of 1896 and the Rev. A. L. 
Nicklas was installed pastor on the 5th of July of 
tliat year. In 1898 the Ladies' Missionary So- 
ciety was organized and now has a membership of 
one hundred and forty. The present toard of 
elders consists of Frederick .Schmid, J. M. 
Hraun and David Laubengayer. while the 
trustees are John Keppler, W, E. Pardon, G. 
Josenhans, Fred Fiegel, Fred Staeb and George 



320 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



P)aiier. There is now a membership of about five 
hunih-cd and fifty famihes and the Sunday school 
numbers four hundred and fifty pupils. The con- 
gregation is one of the largest in Ann Arbor and 
the church is a potent influence for good. Gratify- 
ing progress has been made in the various lines 
of church work during the pastorate of Rev. 
Nicklas, whose earnestness, consecration and zeal 
have made him one of the strongest represent- 
atives of the Lutheran ministry in the middle 
west. 



JOHN READ. 



John Read, deceased, was a pioneer settler of 
Washtenaw count^■, where he took up his abode 
in 1838, and for many years was connected with 
its agricultural interests. A native of Con- 
necticut, he was born in Reading. February 14, 
1826, his parents being Samuel B. and Camilla 
(Lyons) Read, who were likewise natives of 
Reading, the former born April i. 1801, and the 
latter January 23, 1803. The father engaged in 
farming in Connecticut until 1838, when he dis- 
posed of his property there and came to Washte- 
naw county, Michigan, purchasing a farm in 
Ypsilanti township, two miles southeast of the 
city of Ypsilanti, where he cleared the land and 
developed one of the finest farm properties in the 
countv. His attention was given to its develop- 
ment and improvement up to the time of his 
death, which occurred November 19, 1884. His 
first wife died August 27, 1854, and he afterward 
iTiarried Eliza Lyons, a sister of his former wife. 
Her death occurred in Ypsilanti, April 14, 1900. 
Mr. Read had a large family of children, but all 
are now deceased. 

John Read, having spent the first twelve years 
of his life in Connecticut, then came with his par- 
ents to Washtenaw county, and after attending 
the district schools to some extent continued his 
education in a seminary at Ypsilanti, whereby he 
was well qualified for life's practical duties. He 
then assisted his father on the home farm for a 
few years. His sister Eliza, who was born Janu- 
ary II, 1829, and is now deceased, was the wife 
of Byron Yeckley, who owned and resided upon 



a farm near Decatur. Michigan. Mr. Yeckley con- 
tinuing its cultivation up to the time of his death, 
after which Mr. Read went to Decatur and took 
charge of his sister's farm. He operated it for 
ten years and then sold the property, after which 
he returned to Ypsilanti and settled upon the old 
homestead, his father being then quite aged, so 
that Mr. Read took charge of the property and 
also cared for the father until his demise. John 
Read afterward resided upon the home place for 
a brief period and then removed to the city of 
Ypsilanti, where he cared for his stepmother, who 
was also his aunt. 

On the 19th of September. 1901, John Read 
was married, in Ypsilanti, to Miss Amelia U. 
Read, a native of Chenango county, New York, 
born October 29, 1826, a daughter of Hezckiah 
H. and Anna (Banks) Read, both of whom were 
natives of Connecticut, whence they removed to 
Chenango county. Her father was a half-brother 
of Mr. Read's father. Following his removal 
to New York, Hezekiah H. Read purchased land 
and there engaged in farming throughout his re- 
maining days, while his wife also died on the 
old homestead there. He was also county judge 
of Chenango county for several years and was a 
valued and influential citizen of his community. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Read had no children of 
their own. but adopted her sister's son, Henry R. 
Brown, who became a photographer in Ypsilanti 
and later removed to Sioux City, Iowa, where he 
conducted a photograph gallery until his death. 

With Mrs. Read in Ypsilanti now resides 
Charles H. Browning, an old friend of the family. 
He was born in Stonington, New London, Con- 
necticut, October 22, 1827, and in his youth his 
parents removed to Chenango county. New York, 
where they died. His father was the owner of 
a large dairy farm near the Read homestead. 
Charles H. Browning was twice married. He 
first wedded Miss Harriet A. Ufford. and after 
her death Ann Woodley, who has also passed 
away. Mr. Browning engaged in the dairy busi- 
ness in Chenango county until, because of illness, 
he sold his farm July 14, 1884, and lived retired 
for a time in Pharsalia, New York. He afterward 
removed to South Otselic, New York, where he 
resided until July 26, 1903, when he came to 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



321 



Ypsilanti and has since lived with Mrs. Read. 
He was a great friend of her father when their 
farms adjoined in Chenanoo county. 

For many years the Read farm has been a land- 
mark in this county. When Samuel Read came to 
?\lichi.i;Tni he purchased the land for seventy-five 
cents per acre and as the years passed improve- 
ments were made so that the place greatly appre- 
ciated in value. After John Read took charge 
he continued the work of development and prog- 
ress and prospering in his undertakings, he added 
to the place until he owned two hundred and sixty 
acres all in one l)ody and constituting one of the 
finest farms in this county. Eventually he sold 
the property at an excellent price and removed 
to Ypsilanti to retire from business and also to 
care for his aged mother. Here he continued 
until his death, which occurred June 30, 1902. 
He was never an office seeker but had firm belief 
in republican principles. All of the Read family 
were members of the Episcopal church. Living 
in this ci.iunty frcim pioneer times, John Read had 
a wide acquaintance and his sterling traits of 
character commanded the confidence and good will 
of all. 

Mrs. Read left Chenango county. New York, 
and came to this county twenty-two years ago, 
and since then she has traveled considerably and 
she also spent a few years with her adopted son 
in Sioux City, Iowa. She is well-to-do aiid she 
owns a large brick residence at No. 15 South 
Adams street, where she and Mr. Browning re- 
side, this place having been purchased bv ^Irs. 
Reail when she came to Ypsilanti. 



FRAXK M. .MILLER. 

I'rank M. Miller, a pupular and well known 
druggist of the village of Milan, was l)orn in 
Augusta township. Washtenaw county, ?ylichigan, 
February 25, 1871. The family is of Holland 
Dutch origin and the gre3t-gran<l|iarents of 
Frank M. Miller were Jacobus and Gentrav 
(A'eeder) Miller, residents of the state of New 
York. Their son, James ]\Iiller, grandfather of 
our subject, was born on a farm near the present 



village of Herkimer, New York, and having ar- 
rived at years of maturity was married in 1822 
t(i Miss Sally Rodgers, a daughter of John Rodg- 
ers, who like Jacobus Miller was a soldier of 
the Revolutionary war. The Rogers family as 
represented bv the present generations spells the 
name without the "d." ^^'ith his family, consist- 
ing of his wife and two children, Marvin and 
Eliza Jane, James Miller removed to Michigan, 
settling in the township of Augusta, Washtenaw 
county, about 1828 and there occurred the birth 
iif .-Vndrew Miller, who is said to have been the 
first white child born in the tnwnship. (_)ther 
children of the family were: Ellen M.; Madison 
M. : Sally, who died in December, 1868; James, 
who died in April, 1887; Marvin, who died in 
November, 1876; and .\ndrew, who died in 1903. 

Madison 'M. Miller was born in Augusta town- 
shi[i in 1841 and at the time of the Civil war he 
joined the Union Army with the Twentieth 
Michigan Infantrv. He was for many years a 
farmer liut eventually removed tn Chelsea, Michi- 
gan, where he engaged in busines as a painter. 
For the past seven years he has been living in 
California. He married Miss Helen Egbert, who 
was born in Chemung county. New York, her peo- 
ple settling in ^ilonroe county. Michigan, in 1849, 
while later they removed to Saline township, 
\\'ashtenaw county, just before the outbreak of 
the Civil war. She is now li\'ing in ^[ilan. The 
sons and daughters of Mr. and [Mrs. IMadison 
Miller were: Frank :\I.; Dr. James M. Miller, 
who was born in Chelsea, November 8, 1875, and 
is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Cadillac, 
jMichigan ; Flora Pielle, who is a graduate of the 
State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Michigan, and 
is now engaged in teaching near .\nn Arbor: and 
Maggie, who died at the age of seventeen years. 

Frank M. Miller pursued a high-school educa- 
tion .It Cadillac and after ]iutting aside his text- 
1)ooks was emiiloyed as a clerk in a store there for 
seven }'ears. He also traveled for four years for a 
drug firm in Manistee, Michigan, and he studied 
chemistry at the Chicago College of Pharmacy. In 
September, 1900, he came to Milan and es- 
tablislied a drug business on his own account. He 
has since conducted the store with growing suc- 
cess anil todav has a lil)eral patronage which is 



322 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



indicative of his fair dealing, his excellent stock 
and the confidence reposed in him by the general 
public. 

On the 24th of Octolier, 1894, Mr. Miller was 
nnitefl in marriage to Miss Callia J. Kelsey, a 
daughter of Henry and Abvssinia Kelsey. Their 
children are : Maurine Kelsev. Doris Kelsey and 
Gerald Kelsey Miller. The family attend the 
Baptist church and Mr. Miller is a .member of 
the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities. 
' He is serving as a member of the school board 
and of the village council and is actively interested 
in all that pertains to the growth, progress and 
substantial development of Milan. He has a wide 
and favorable acquaintance in business and social 
circles in this part of the county and his genuine 
personal worth is indicated by the warm friend- 
ship given him by the majority of those who know 
him. 



TOHX ROSE. 



John Rose, a capitalist of Ann Arbor, was Ijorn 
in Lincolnshire. England, February 6, 1824. His 
father, William Rose, was also a native of that 
country and was married there to Miss Rebecca 
Abbott, who accompanied him on his emigration 
to America in 1855. Seeking a home in the mid- 
dle west he settled in Washtenaw county, where 
he spent his remaining days, his death occurring 
in 1869. There were four children in the family 
but with the exception of John Rose all have now- 
passed awa\'. 

In the country of his nativity John Rose spent 
the days of his Ijoyhood and youth, acquiring his 
education there and then Ijecoming imbued with 
a desire to enjoy better opportunities than were 
afforded in his native land he sailed from England 
in 1845. ^"fS' too, riiade his way at once into the 
interior of the country and secured employment 
as a farm hand in Washtenaw county. He brought 
with him no capital and it was necessary that he 
provide for his immediate supjiort. .\fter spend- 
ing some years at farm labor he engaged in clerk- 
ing in drug and grocery stores in Ann Arbor and 
eventually ac(|uired capital sufficient to enable 
him tn engage in indepenclent business ventures. 



He has been a very active man, his life character- 
ized by untiring energy, strong purpose and keen 
business discernment. lie has seldom been at 
fault in matters of business judgment, has made 
judicious investments and by hard work, execu- 
tive ability and indefatigable perseverance he has 
accumulated an independent fortune antl is now 
retired from active business save for the super- 
vision which he gives to his invested interests, 
which are represented by various industrial and 
commercial lines. 

On the 1st of May, 1851, Mr. Rose was united 
in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Mrrill, of Canada, 
who belonged to an old French family. They be- 
came the parents of two children and the daugh- 
ter, Ella Rebecca, who is the younger, is the wife 
of George Waterman, of Ypsilanti. The son, 
George W. Rose, is now living u]jon the old 
homestead farm of one hundred and five acres, 
located three miles fr,om Ann Arbor, and is an en- 
terprising and successful agriculturist, carrying 
on his farm work in keeping with modern ideas 
I if progress and improvement. He was married, 
in 1877, to Miss Frances Yates, a native of 
Illinois, and a relative of ex-Governor Yates. Two 
children have been born of this union, Harry J. 
and Everett S. The former married Osta May, 
of Hamburg, (iermany, and is a rural route mail 
carrier. They have one son, Reuben Charles, 
eight months old, and a great-great-grandchild of 
Mr. Rose, whose name introduces this review. 
Everett S. Rose is living upon the home farm 
with his father and is a breeder of fine chickens. 

In 1903 Mr. Rose was called upon to mourn 
the loss (if his wife, with wlmm he had traveled 
life's journey for more than half century, and 
who with him had borne the joys and sorrows, 
the adversit\ and pnisperit\' which checker the 
careers of all. Tn a review of his history it is seen 
that he has lived a life of intense and well directed 
activity while he has accumulated wealth his path 
has never been strewn with the wreck of other 
men's fortunes. He has been just in his treat- 
ment of all and has based his dejiendcncc upun the 
sustantial qualities of untiring ettort, persistent 
purpose and wise investment and these have 
proved a sure foundation upon wliicli to rear the 
su[)erstructure of success. Xdw at the age of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



323 



eighty-two years, he is living retired in Ann Ar- 
bor, one of its most venerable and respected citi- 
zens. 



HENRY J. HOCHREIN. 

Henry T- Hochrein, a member of the firm of 
Braun & Hochrein, contractors and builders of 
Ann Arbor, like many of his fellow townsmen, is 
of German birth and ancestry. He was born in 
Bavaria on the 3d of May, 1870. His father, 
Michael Hochrein, was a baker and overseer on 
a nobleman's demesne. Subsequently he came to 
America and now makes his home in Ann Arbor. 
His wife, Mrs. Mary H. Hochrein, died in Ger- 
many when their son Henry was but five years of 
age. The other children of their family were : 
Ferdinand, who is now foreman of the Ann Ar- 
bor Gas Works : William, who is engaged in the 
plumbing business in this city : John, who also 
holds a position in connection with the gas works ; 
and Mrs. Lena Kichenmcister, of Mount 
Clemens. 

Henry J. Hochrein spent the first fourteen 
years of his life in the land of his nativity and 
then came to the new world, reaching Ann Arbor 
in 1884. For two years he was a student in the 
township schools, after which he began earning 
his iiwn livelihiidd l)y wc^rking as a farm hand, 
being employed in that capacity- for five years. On 
the expiration of that period he began learning 
the trade of a carpenter and liuilder. entering the 
employ of S. M. Firaun in 1889. He soon mas- 
tered the business in principle and detail and con- 
tinued working as a journe\inan until i8<)7. when 
he was admitted to a ]iartnership by Mr. Braun 
under the jiresent firm style of Braun & Hoch- 
rein. This firm is well known in l)uil(ling circles 
in .\nn Arbor and throughout \\'ashtenaw county 
and many important contracts have been awarded 
thcni, which thev have faithfully and efficiently 
executed. They were the builders of the Farmers 
& ]\Iechanics Bank in igoo, remodeled the Ger- 
man .\merican Bank in J905 and built the Henr\- 
Douglas and many other fine residences in this 
city, which to-day stands as monuments to their 
enterprise and skill. Mr. Hochrein is verv 



thorough and painstaking in all that he does and 
his work has given uniform satisfaction, so that 
a liberal patronage is assured him. 

In 1893 Mr. Hochrein was married to Miss 
Mary Heininger, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
John Heininger, of Ypsilanti, and two children 
graced this union, Elsie and Oscar. Fraternally 
Mr. Hochrein is connected with the Maccabees 
and with the Home Guards of America, while in 
his church relations he is a German Lutheran. 
Having resided in Washtenaw county for twenty- 
one years, he is well known, while his many ex- 
cellent traits of character, his loyalty in friend- 
ship, his progressiveness in citizenship and his 
trustworthiness in business life have made him 
highly respected. 



ELLEN B. MURRAY, M. D. 

Dr. Ellen B. Murray, successfully engaged in 
the practice of medicine in A^psilanti for the past 
ten }ears, was born in Superior township, Wash- 
tenaw county, November 22. 1867, a daughter of 
.\ndrew J. and Marietta (Bradford) Murray, 
both of whom were natives of this state, having 
been born in Canton township, Wayne county. 
The father was for many years a prosperous and 
energetic farmer and thus provided for the needs 
and wants of his family, but in recent years he 
has retired from active life and is now enjoying 
a well earned rest at his pleasant home just out- 
side the corporation limits of Ypsilanti. In 1905 
he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, 
who died 1 in the iith of April nt that year. In 
their family were five children ; namely : A. J., a 
carriage manufacturer of Cortland. New York: 
]\Iildred M., who is a teacher of music in Detroit ; 
Fllen B. : Benjamin L.. a chemist of New York 
city ; and Edwin S., a practicing lawyer of De- 
troit. 

Dr. Murray attended the district schools of Su- 
perior township and afterward entered the Ypsi- 
lanti State Xnrmal College, from which she was 
graduated in the class of 1885. .She then went to 
.Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where she taught 
school for several vears. after which she returned 



324 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



to Washtenaw county and matriculated in tiie 
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, being 
graduated from the medical department with the 
class of 1895. Having thus carefully jjrepared 
for the practice of medicine and surgery she came 
to Ypsilanti and opened an office, since which time 
she has successfully followed her profession. .She 
is a representative of the regular school and her 
skill and ability have been demonstrated in the 
successful handling of a number of complex 
medical problems. She holds membershi]) in va- 
rious medical societies, including the Washtenaw 
County Medical Society, the Michigan State 
Medical Association and the American Medical 
Association and she has a finely equipped suite of 
rooms over the post office in Ypsilanti. 1 ler 
practice is already large and is constantly grow- 
ing and she keeps in touch with the advancement 
that is being made by the medical fraternity as 
investigation, research and experiment broailcn 
knowledge and promote efficiency. Dr. Murray 
belongs to the Presbyterian church and also holds 
membership with the Ladies of the Maccabees. 



WILLIAM GOODYEAR. 

William Goodyear, perhaps best known in 
Washtenaw county as proprietor of one of the 
finest dry-goods stores at Ann .Arbor, and yet his 
business interests e.xtend to several (.)ther fields of 
activity wherein he has become financially inter- 
ested, was born in Detroit on the 29th of Septem- 
ber, 1859, his parents being Nicholas and Jann' 
(Almond) Goodyear, both of whom were nati\-es 
of England. The father was born in Devonshire 
and in 1836 came to Detroit, but after spending a 
brief period there he removed to Oakland county, 
Michigan, where he carried on agricultural pur- 
suits for several years. He finally returned to 
Detroit and engaged in contracting, though he 
was previously identified with the grocery busi- 
ness for a short time. Tie died June 26, 1904, and 
is still survived by his widow, who makes her 
home in Detroit. There were ten children in the 
family but only six are now living: Mrs. ]\Iary 
McMichall. Mrs. Charles J. Patterson. :\Irs. John 



T. \\'oodhouse and John, all of whom reside in 
Detroit ; William, of this review ; and Nicholas .\,, 
who is engaged in the butcher business in Owosso, 
Michigan. 

In the schools of his native city William Good- 
year acquired his education, but his advantages in 
that direction were somewhat limited as at the 
early age of twelve years he entered business life, 
becoming an employ in 1871 in the dry-goods 
store of Newcomb, Endicott & Company, con- 
ducting a large business in the Opera House 
Block. He remained with them for four years, 
after which he spent a similar period in the em- 
ploy of J. B. Woolfenden & Company in Saginaw. 
Michigan. On the expiration of that period he 
returned to Detroit, where he entered the service 
of Taylor Woolfenden Company, liy whom he 
was soon appointed cashier, acting in that ca- 
pacity for ten years. His capability and fidelity 
w<in him ready and rapid promotion and he be- 
came tlioroughily familiar with the methods and 
principles of mercantile life in every department. 

In September, 1888, Mr. Goodyear came to 
.-Vnn .\rbor, where he established business in con- 
nection with Bruno St. James, at No. 118 Main 
street, South, and they continued in business to- 
gether until 1895, when Mr. Goodyear purchased 
his partner's interest and the firm name was 
changed from Goodyear & St. James to William 
Goodyear & Company, although Mr, Goodyear is 
now alone in the business. When he embarked in 
business with ]\Ir. .St. James their capital was only 
twelve hundred dollars and every one predicted 
their failure but success attended their efforts and 
Mr. Goodyear is to-day at the head of a large and 
profitable business. In 1902 he bought out E. F. 
Mills & Company and removed to his present 
location at No. 120 Main street. South, where he 
occupies a three story building with basement, 
the basement being devoted to the reserve stock ; 
the main floor to dress goods, silks, ribbons, dress 
trimmings, cotton and print material ; the second 
floor to cloaks, suits, skirts, furs, knit and muslin 
underwear and embroideries ; and tlic third floor 
to blankets, comfortables, flannels, lace curtains, 
tapestries and all drapery goods. As a merchant 
Mr. Goodyear has the entire confidence of his 
business associates and has made a reci.)rd in com- 




WILLIAM GOODYEAR. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



327 



niercial circles llial any man niifilit be jjroud tn 
possess. I fe is likewise a large stockholder in the 
Dr. Reed Ciisliion Shoe C'om])any, of New York 
city, and is also financially interested in other 
large concerns, having made judicious investment 
of his cajjital in business enterprises that are jjrov- 
ing jjrofitablc. 

In 188S .\Ir. ( ioodyear was married to .Miss 
Delia .St. James, of Detroit, whose family came 
from Canada to Michigan. I lis political allegi- 
ance is given the republican ])arty and for two 
terms he represented the si.xth ward as a member 
of the board of aldermen. In religious faith he is 
a Bapti.st and for years has served as trustee of 
his church and also treasurer, and has likewise 
been treasurer of the Young Men's Christian .As- 
sociation, lie is an active worker for the good 
of the city and of luimanilv and his efforts are 
effective and far-reaching. ,\ man of impressive 
personality and worth of character he has done 
much to mold public sentiment for goofl in the 
years (jf his residence in .\nn .Arbor, and his life 
has proved that success and an honored name 
may be won sinniltaneously. .Starting out in life 
for himself at the early age of twelve years with- 
out the aid of influential friends he has steadily 
advanced on the highway to success and to-day 
stands among the successful merchants, no less 
honored for his prosperity than for the good name 
he has won in its acquirement. 



r.V.ORGE W. I'.AII.F.Y. 

George W. Bailey, leading the mercantile inter- 
ests of .Ann .Arbor as a dealer in sporting goods, 
guns, ammunition and other goods of that charac- 
ter, has always been a resident of Washtenaw 
county, his birth having occurred in Green Oak, 
on the 24th of Septemtier, 1843. TTis father, G. 
D. Bailey, was a native of the north of Ireland 
and emigrated tf) this coinitry in 1820, taking up 
his abode in I'oughkeepsie, New York. Believ- 
ing, however, that better business opportunities 
might be enjoyed in the west he came to Michigan 
in pioneer days, settling in Washtenaw county 
upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near 



(Jakland. It was wild and unimproved land but 
he at once began its development and cultivation 
and in due course of time a wonderful trans- 
formation was wrought in its appearance, in his 
])olitical views Mr. Bailey was a whig and he 
was a member of the Michigan Guards in the 
early days of the state militia. He died in the year 
1849. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Mary Mosier, was a representative of an old Eng- 
lish family and was born in Poughkeepsie, New 
York. .She long survived her husband, passing 
away in 1886. In their family were six children: 
Elizabeth, now deceased; Thomas D., who is a 
molder. residing in Jackson, Michigan; .Susan, 
who has departed this life; (ieorge W. ; Mary J., 
tlie wife of .Aaron Long, of this city ; and Mrs. 
Isadore King, now living in Toledo. 

( ieorge VV. Bailey acquired his education in the 
jiublic schools of this city and entered uixiu his 
business career as an emjjloye of the firm of Trip, 
.\iles & Price, moldcrs and machinists, whose 
fotmdry was located on West Huron street. He 
rejjresented that firm for twelve years, thoroughly 
le.'irning the machinist's trade and bccoim'ng an 
e.vpert workman in the various flepartments of 
the business. He was a trusted eni])loye as was 
indicated by his \(>n^ continuation with one house. 
On leaving that hrm he traveled extensively and 
was em])loyed in the line of his trade in Detroit, 
Jackson anrl other cities. In i88(; he established 
his present business at No. 121 Liberty street. 
East, under the firm style of Bailey & Edmunds. 
They carry all kinds of sporting goods, guns, am- 
munition and fishing tackle and also have a rfiom 
well e(|ui])])ed for doing repair work of all kinds 
in cfiunectifiu with the business. A liberal ])at- 
ronaije is accorded them and their store would \>e 
creditable to a city of much larger size than Ann 
.Arbor. 

In 1867 .Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to 
Miss Ellen King, of Salem, Washtenaw county, 
and they had five children, of whom three are liv- 
ing : Charles E. M., who is in the employ of 
Dean & Company, of Ann .Arbor; Byron E. I!., 
a mason contractor of Ann Arbor; and Hazel I., 
who is living with her parents. They have a 
beautiful home in the second ward and are prom- 
inent sociallv. Mr. Bailev is a member of the 



328 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Golden Rule lodge of Masons and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and attends the 
Episcopal church. Much of his life has been 
passed in Washtenaw county and his business ca- 
reer has been marked by consecutive advance- 
ment. He had no special advantages at the outset 
of his business life but his persistency of purpose, 
untiring labor and capable management have 
stood him in stead of capital and he has now be- 
come a prosperous and leading merchant of Vnn 
.\rbor. 



FR.\XK :\I.\RION ROOT. 

I'rank Marion Root, proprietor of a fine music 
store in .\nn .\rbor. is a native of Shiawassee 
county, Michigan, his birth having occurred 
March 8, 1864, near Owosso, on the homestead 
farm of his father, Ira Root, who came to this 
state from Syracuse, New York, and took up his 
abode in Shiawassee county, where he followed 
farming in pioneer times. Subsequently he re- 
moved to this county taking up his abode in Sa- 
lem township, in 1866. Throughout his entire 
life he was closely connected with agricultural 
pursuits and developed his land into a very pro- 
ductive farm, gathering therefrom rich crops, 
which annually brotight him a good financial in- 
come as a reward for his labor. Fie died in the 
year 1898, while his wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Caroline Matilda Shankland, passed 
away in igo2. 

Frank Marion Root acquired his early educa- 
tion in the district school of Salem and continued 
his studies in the State Normal School and 
Cleary Business College of Ypsilanti. Subsequent 
to his graduation from that institution he was en- 
gaged as teacher in the college for three years 
and he likewise taught in the Cleary Business 
College, at Toledo. Ohio, for one year and for 
one year in the commercial department of the 
Ann .\rbor high school. For some time he con- 
tinued his work in Detroit and for four \ears had 
charge of the commercial and English dejiart- 
ments of the .\lpena high school, .\fterwards. 
for four years, he had charge of the music and 
militar\- de])artnients of the Bo}-s" Industrial 



School at Lansing. As an educator he was capa- 
ble, having clear insight into the nature of his pu- 
pils so that he was enabled to plan for their best 
advancement and growth in the work which they 
were pursuing. He became a factor in commer- 
cial circles in .\nn Arbor when, on the igth of 
January, 1901, he established a music store at No. 
116 East Liberty street, where he has built up an 
immense trade. He is a representative of the 
finest makes of pianos and organs, carrying an 
immense stock of all kinds of large and small 
musical in.struments and supplies, together with 
a full line of standard sheet and folio music and 
all of the latest society airs. He has lately re- 
moved to a new building especially erected for 
this ])urpose at the corner of Libertv street and 
Fourth avenue, where he occupies two entire 
floors. The Root music house is thoroughly relia- 
ble and enjoys the un(|ualified confidence and pat- 
ronage of the best people of Washtenaw county, 
the trade having long since reached extensive and 
profitable proportions. 

On the 31st of December, 1890, Mr. Root was 
united in marriage to Miss ^Minnie Maes, a native 
of New Boston. Wayne county, Michigan, and a 
daughter of Jotham \\'. ^Nlaes. who was born in 
Ohio. He married Amanda Janet Barlow, a na- 
tive of Michigan, and both Air. and Mrs Maes 
accompanied their parents in childhood days to 
Wayne county, Michigan, where their families 
were prosperous farming people. Mr. ?\[aes is 
now engaged in the insurance business, in which 
he has a good clientage. He and his wife are still 
living in New Boston, where were born unto them 
five children, but three of the number died in 
\'outli. The surviving son, ^^'illiam L. Maes, of 
Gladwin, ]Michigan, is now express messenger on 
the Alichigan Central Railroad. In political cir- 
cles in Wayne countv Jotham ^^'. Maes is promi- 
nent, exercising considerable influence in the local 
councils of the republican party. His religious 
faith is that of the JMethodist church, with which 
he has long held membership. As a citizen he is 
patriotic and public spirited and at the time of the 
Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the country 
by four years' service with the L'nion army. As 
a youth he ran away from home in order to enlist, 
joining the command at Flat Rock. Afichigan. but 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



329 



was transferred to the Forty-seveiUh Ohio In- 
fantry. He participated in many important en- 
gas^enients which contributed to the victorious re- 
sult of the Union armies and for nine months he 
was a prisoner of war at Andersonville. He is 
likewise a survivor of the great steamboat disaster 
of the Sultana. ^Irs. Root was reared and edu- 
cated in New Boston and having mastered the 
branches of learning that constituted the 
curriculum of the public schools at that 
place, in the fall of 1885 she entered 
the Ypsilanti Normal. She is an active 
woman of good business abilitv, assisting 
her husband in his business interests. Mr. Root 
is very prominent in musical circles, being himself 
an accomplished musician and is the leader of a 
fine orchestra of Ann .\rbor. While he has the 
legitimate purpose of gaining a good competence 
from his business at the same time his musical 
talent enables him to assist his patrons in their 
purchases of musical instruments because of his 
personal ability and his judgment concerning mu- 
sical questions is accurate and reliable, his knowl- 
edge being comprehensive. 



ARNOLD H. KUHL. 



As the name indicates Arnold H. Kuhl is 
among the citizens of Washtenaw county that the 
fatherland has furnished to the new world. He 
was born in Prussia in 1843, ^ son of John and 
Adelheit (Tasche) Kuhl, who were likewise na- 
tives of Prussia. The father died in Germany 
during the boyhood days of his son Arnold when 
fifty-six years of age, and the mother passed 
away in 1894, at the very advanced age of eighty- 
eight years. In their family were seven children, 
namely : Anna Adelheit ; John, deceased ; Arnold 
H. : George, deceased ; Ellen, the widow of John 
P. Buss, of Freedom, Michigan ; Mary, who has 
passed away; and one who died in infancy. 

In his native country Arnold H. Kuhl spent 
the days of his boyhood and acquired his educa- 
tion. When he attained his majority in 1864 he 
bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed 
for the new world, joining his uncle, Gerhard 



Kuhl, in Freedom township, Washtenaw' county, 
Michigan. Here he worked for two seasons by 
the month, after which he was joined by his 
mother, who on coming to the new world pur- 
chased the farm upon which our subject now re- 
sides on section i, Sharon township. Here he 
has since lived and he is today the owner of two 
hundred and four acres of very rich and pro- 
ductive land. This constitutes one of the best 
farms of the county because of the fertilitv of the 
soil and the splendid improvements which have 
been placed upon the farm, for he has erected 
here a fine residence, large bams and other build- 
ings for the shelter of grain and stock. He is 
one of the most practical as w-ell as one of the 
most progressive agriculturists of the county and 
in addition to the tilling of the soil he is engaged 
quite extensively in raising sheep and cattle, 
which he finds to be a profitable source of income. 
He is also one of the stockholders and directors 
in the Manchester Union Bank and is its vice 
president. 

In 1867 Air. Kuhl was married to Miss Rickie 
Hartbeck, who was born in Germany in 1844 and 
was brought to the United States in 1846 by her 
parents, John B. and Antia (Marshall) Hartbeck. 
The father settled in Freedom township, Washte- 
naw county, for a short time and then purchased 
a farm in Sharon township. They had eight chil- 
dren : Lambert, who served in the Civil war and 
died in 1871 ; Bernhard, Henry and John, all de- 
ceased ; Mrs. Ktihl ; Caroline, the widow of John 
Kofberger: Sarah, deceased; and Mary, the wife 
of Herman Ortbring, of Freedom township. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kuhl has been 
blessed with eleven children : Sarah and Amelia, 
who have passed away; August, who is living in 
Sharon township; Clara, the wife of Edwin 
Kuhl, of Freedom township ; Emma, the wife of 
Gotfrey Fitzmeyer, of Sylvan township ; Martha, 
who is teaching school ; Bertha ; Louis ; Theodore ; 
and two who died in infancy. The parents are 
members of St. Johns Erangelical Lutheran 
church and take an active and helpful part in its 
work. Mr. Kuhl votes with the democracy and 
has served as justice of the peace but his am- 
bitions do not lie in the sense of office seeking 
and he has refused to accept various public posi- 
tions although frequently solicited by his friends 



330 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



to do so. He feels that he has made no mistake 
in coming to the new world, for here he has 
directed his etiforts so as to win success, proving 
that in this country effort may gain prosperity, 
for individual labor is not here hampered by 
caste or class. 



PROFESSOR DANIEL PUTNAM. 

In that galaxy of illustrious names, destined to 
shed an imperishable lustre upon Michigan's 
State Normal School, few will go down to pos- 
terity with a more enduring fame than that of 
Professor Daniel Putnam. This, it may be well 
to state, will be due not only to his labors in the 
field of education, but also to his untiring activity 
as a public spirited citizen of the state of his adop- 
tion. 

The founder of the i'utnam family in the 
United States was John, a native of England, 
who settled in that part of Salem. Massachusetts, 
now called Dan vers, about the year 1640. In 
later years some members of the family moved 
to Lyndboro. New Hampshire. Here, on Janu- 
ary 8. 1824, Professor Putnam was born, his fa- 
ther, Israel Putnam, being seventh in descent 
from John Putnam and a relative of the Revolu- 
tionary general of that name. Israel Putnam's 
first wife, the mother of Daniel, was Ruth Sar- 
gent. Of this union were also born William R., 
Israel, Sumner Sargent, Mary A. and Hannah 
D. After the death of his first wife, Israel Put- 
nam married again and by his second wife had 
two daughters. 

The future professor sjient his early years on 
the farm, in a lumber mill and in a carpenter 
shop, attending the district school at the same 
time. From his twelfth to his twentieth year he 
attended school only in the winter seasons, dur- 
ing which period in his career he derived consid- 
erable advantage from a kind of lyceum which 
was organized in connection with the district 
schools in the country. 

With the money earned through manual labnr, 
and by teaching school in the winter, he was en- 
abled to prepare himself for college. He took his 



preparatory course at an academy at New Hamp- 
ton. New Hampshire, from which he went to 
Dartmouth College, graduating in 1851. After 
graduating he taught school for some time at 
New Hampton and later for a year in \'ermont. 

Coming to Michigan in 1834, he assumed the 
professorship of the Latin langua.ge and literature 
in Kalamazoo College, where he remained for 
five years. He left the college to take charge of 
the public schools in Kalamazoo, in which capa- 
city his labors were marked with the highest suc- 
cess. In 1865 he returned to the colle,ge, laboring 
two or three years under the direction of Dr. John 
I\I. Gregory. After the resignation of President 
Gregory he was acting executive of the college 
for one year. In 1867 he was elected superin- 
tendent of the schools of Kalamazoo county. This 
]iosition he resigned to accept a professorship in 
the State Normal School, assuming his duties at 
the opening of the school year, 1868-9. As a 
tribute to his worth and ability. Professor Putnam 
was in 1897 given the degree of LL. D., by the 
University of Michigan. 

The field of his labors has been by no means 
confined to that of learning. He has always taken 
an active part in the affairs of his community, 
having served two years as alderman and two 
years as mayor of the city of Ypsilanti, of whose 
welfare and prosperity he has been one of the 
foremost advocates. Joining the Baptist church 
more than fifty years ago, he has ever since been 
an earnest worker in the cause of religion. Al- 
though not an ordained minister, he has filled pul- 
l)its on several occasions during his career. For 
many years he has been a member of the Baptist 
convention of Michigan; was one year its presi- 
dent, and ten years its treasurer. For over a 
(|uarter of a century he filled the office of chap- 
lain for the insane at Kalamazoo. 

During his busy career Professor I'utnam has 
published the following works: "Sunbeams 
Through Clouds." in 1871 (a little manual for the 
insane) : ".\ Geography of Michigan," 1877 
(published with Colton's Geography) : ■■.\ .Sketch 
of Michigan State Teachers' Association," 1877 
(published by the association) ; "Outline of the 
Theory and Art of Teaching," 1883 : "A series 
of .School Readers," 1882-3 (in connection with 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



331 



aiiotlier gentleman) ; "Twenty-iive Years with 
the Insane." 1885; "Elementary Psychology," 
1889; "A Primary of Pedagogy," 1890; "Manual 
of Pedagogies," 1895 ; "History of the State Nor- 
mal .School," 1894; "Development of Primary 
and Secondary Education in Michigan," 1904. 

Professor Putnam married, July 27, 1852, Sa- 
rah E. Smith, daughter of Dr. E. B. Smith, at 
New Hampton, New Hampshire. Their children 
are: Mrs. .\lice M. Kimball; Mary B. ; Arthur 
S. ; Ruth S. and William S. .\rthur resides at 
Manistique. is president of a national bank, and 
senior member of a firm engaged in the drug 
and jewelry business. William is an attorney-at- 
law. The daughters are all teachers. Mary is a 
graduate of the University of Michigan, the other 
two of the Normal College. 

The human side of Professor Putnam's char- 
acter could not be better described than in the 
following words of a life-long acquaintance : 

"As a man Professor Putnam is unassuming 
and retiring, but positive in his opinions and firm 
in his convictions of duty in all the relations of 
life. .\s a teacher he ap])eals to the student's 
sense of honor and seeks to develop the higher 
and nobler elements of his character. He seeks 
to make of his pupils men and women of the best 
kind rather than simply scholars and teachers. 
That nobleness of spirit which shines out through 
all his life and teaching has shed a strong but 
quiet influence upon the lives of scores of young 
man and women. Aiany a former normal student, 
now at work in the schools of the state, declares 
that the calm sincerity of Professor Putnam's 
life and character goes with him as an inspiration 
in all his work. Hut the true dignity and ])urity 
of his life can be best understood ])y those who 
have come into close association with him as he 
has gone in and out in his daily labors. His deeds 
are as lighthouses, 'they do not ring bells or fire 
cannon to call attention to their shining — they 
just shine.' " 

In politics he is an independent republican. In 
1903 Professor Putnam retired from the field of 
most of his active labors on a small yearly salary 
from the Normal College, and lives at his beauti- 
ful residence. No. 314 Forest Grove avenue, in 
the citv of Ypsilanti. Although in retirement. 



he has never ceased to take an active interest in 
everything appertaining to educational and public 
matters in general. Of course it is hardly neces- 
sary to state that a man of such sterling worth 
and native virtues is respected and beloved by 
the whole communit)- in which he resides, and bv 
everybody whose good fortune it has been to 
make his acquaintance. 



CLYDE C. KERR. 



Clyde C. Kerr, a representative of the .Vthens 
Press of Ann Arbor, is a native son of Washte- 
naw county, his birth having occurred in Foster 
township about three miles west of the county 
seat in 1868. His father, .\lexander William 
Kerr, was born in the highlands of .Scotland and 
coming to .\merica was for many years a spinner 
in Cornwell's mills in this county. His death oc- 
curred in 1879. His wife, who in her maiden- 
hood was .\bbie .Slatford, was first married to 
William Hurrell, of Owosso, Michigan, and after 
his death became the wife of Alexander William 
Kerr. She still survives and is now living in .\nn 
.\rbor. By her first marriage she had two chil- 
dren : George Hurrell, a carpenter living in this 
city : and Carrie, the wife of A. C. Richards, also 
of .\nn .\rbor. 

Clyde C. Kerr acquired his education in the 
]niblic schools of .\nn .\rbor and Ypsilanti, con- 
tinuing his studies until si.xteen years of age, 
when he began learning the printing business as 
an employee in the ofifice of the Daily News, the 
first daily paper ever published in this city. There 
he reiuained for two years, on the expiration of 
which period he secured a position in the Ann 
.\rbor Courier, where he completed his trade as a 
compositor, his connection with that paper con- 
tinuing for six years. In 1900, in partnership 
with Messrs. Scheirer and Goetz, he established 
the ]irinting office of the Athens Press located on 
.\orth Main street and has since been thus con- 
nected with the business, which has had a pros- 
])erous growth and has long since become a prof- 
itable investment. 

Mr. Kerr was married on Thanksgiving day of 
1890 to Miss Emily C. Rayer. a daughter of 



332 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



William and Minnie Raver, and they now have 
two living children, Vernie R. and Harry A. W., 
aged respectively twelve and six years. They also 
lost one child, Ernest, who died in infancy. Mr. 
Kerr belongs to the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees and 
the Typographical Union and his church relation 
is with the English Lutheran denomination. His 
entire life has been passed in Ann Arbor and this 
vicinity and he now occupies a pleasant home at 
518 Krause street. 



JAMES H. WEBB. 

James H. Webb, who for many years has re- 
sided upon his present farm in Pittsfield township, 
was born April 14, 1848, within the boundaries of 
this township on the old family homestead be- 
longing to his father. Dr. Nathan Webb. The lat- 
ter was born in Rushville, New York, January 
25, 1808, while the grandfather, Nathan Webb, 
was born in Jaunary, 1768, and died in Middlesex, 
New York, September 26, 1807, — before the birth 
of his son Nathan. The latter reached the ripe 
old age of seventy-six years, passing away on the 
3d of December, 1884. He acquired a common- 
school education and subsequently continued his 
studies in Syracuse College. He prepared for 
the practice of medicine as a representative of the 
regular or allopathic school and in 1846 he re- 
moved to Michigan. While still in the east, how- 
ever, he was married to Miss Louranda Enos, 
who was born February 12, 1812, and was a 
daughter of John Enos, who took up his abode at 
Niles, Cass county, Michigan, at an early period 
in the development of this state. Mr. and Mrs. 
Webb became the parents of six children : 
Georgiana, the wife of Dr. F. K. Owen, a prac- 
ticing physician of Ypsilanti, by whom she has 
two children : Harriet, the wife of Norman Red- 
ner. of Augusta township, by whom she has three 
children ; Frederick, who was a member of Com- 
pany E, Seventeenth Michigan Volunteer In- 
fantry and was shot at the battle of Antietam; 
Hiram H., who was also a member of Company 
E, Seventeenth Michigan Volunteers and married 



Delia r.egdle, by whom he has one son ; James H,. 
of this review ; and Catherine, the wife of Omer 
Case, by whom she has two children. 

Dr. Nathan Webb, the father, following his re- 
moval to Michigan, practiced all through this sec- 
tion of the state and was an honored and worthy 
pioneer physician, whose devotion to his profes- 
sion was of the utmost good to his fellowmen but 
involved many hardships for himself, as he trav- 
eled over poorly improved roads under the hoc 
summer sun nr through the winter's cold. As 
the country was but sparsely settled it was neces- 
sary f(ir him to take long rides in order to render 
professional aid to those in need of medical serv- 
ice. He owned one hundred and eighty acres of 
land, which he personally superintended. At the 
time of the Civil war he acted for a year as as- 
sistant surgeon in Convent Hospital at Frederick 
City, Maryland. Prominent and influential in 
public life, he was twice elected supervisor of his 
township and was also called to represent his dis- 
trict in the state legislature, being elected on the 
republican ticket, for he was a stalwart advocate 
of the party which stood as the champion of the 
Union during the Civil war. His church mem- 
bership was with the Presbyterian denomination. 

James H. Webb, reared upon his father's farm 
in Pittsfield township, acquired his early educa- 
tion in the common schools and subsequently at- 
tended the high school at Ypsilanti, Michigan. 
Aroused by a spirit of patriotism he responded to 
his country's call during the Civil war, enlisting 
as a member of Company K, Twenty-fourth 
Michigan Infantry, with which he was connected 
imtil the close of hostilities. He then returned to 
the home farm and aided in its improvement until 
twenty-two years of age. 

At that time Mr. Webb was married to Miss 
Emma Alarriott, who was born July 20, 1846. 
upon the farm where she yet lives. Her father, 
Joseph Marriott, was a native of England and be- 
came an influential and representative agricultur- 
ist of Washtenaw county. He was also recognized 
as one of the most stalwart advocates of the re- 
publican party in this section of the state. Mr. 
and Mrs. Webb began their domestic life upon 
the farm where they have since resided and unto 
them has been born a son, Joseph F.. whose birth 



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JAMES H. WEBB AND SON, JOSEPH. 



19 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



335 



occurred on the 22(1 of April. 1871. and he was 
married on the 27th of July, 1894. to Miss 
Cynthia Hurd. who died September 4. 1900. In 
1902 he was again married, his second union be- 
ing with Miss Cora Bussy, and the\' have one 
child. At the time of the Spanish-American war 
Joseph W'ebb enlisted in the Thirty-first Michigan 
Infantry and did active service in Cuba. 

James }1. Webb is the owner of one hundred 
and ten acres of land devoted to general farming 
and stock-raising. lie has a well imjiroved prop- 
erty on which are good modern buildings and 
everything about the place is kept in excellent re- 
]3air, bespeaking the thrift of an industrious and 
])ainstaking owner. He is watchful of every de- 
tail of his business and of every indication point- 
ing to success and as the years have gone by has 
]jrospered in his undertakings. Politically a re- 
]5ublican, he has served for many years as town 
clerk and is at present justice of the ])eace. PTe 
has also been school^ commissioner and drainage 
commissioner and the various duties that have 
devolved upon him in these official connection? 
have been promptly and faithfully performed. In 
all life's relations he has made a creditable record 
and is a worthy representative of one of the hon- 
ored iiioneer families of Washtenaw count\'. 



GEORGE H. FISCHER. 

George H. Fischer, conducting as a member 
of the firm of Fischer & Finnell an extensive gro- 
cerv business in Ann Arbor and also well known 
in the citv as a leading re]iublican and valued rep- 
resentative of various fraternal organizations, was 
born here on the 21st of November, 1868. His 
father, Henrv Fischer, was a native of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, and remained in that coun- 
try until sixteen years of age, when, crossing the 
Atlantic to the new world, he made his way to 
Ann .\rbor and soon afterward became a factor 
in the industrial life of the city. He has engaged 
for a number of years in the operation of a saw- 
mill and his energy and carefully directed labors 
have made him prominent in business circles. He 
married Sophia Fuchs. also a native of Hesse- 



Darmstadt, and they have reared a family of ten 
children, of whom George H. is the eldest, the 
others being : Gustave A., a builder of Ann Ar- 
bor ; Frank, who is living in Detroit ; Louis, who 
is employed in his brother's grocer\- store ; Lydia, 
the wife of John W. Hermann, of this city ; 
Henry, a resident of Detroit ; and four now de- 
ceased. 

At the usual age of six years George H. 
Fischer entered the public schools of Ann Arbor, 
wherein he continued his studies until fourteen 
years of age, when he put aside his text-books in 
order to enter business life and provide for his 
own support. He secured a position in the store 
of Dean & Company, merchants on Main street, 
with whom he continued for fourteen years, dur- 
ing which time he learned every detail of the 
business and worked his way steadily upward 
from one responsibility to another, enjoying in 
high measure the confidence and trust of those 
whom he represented. Earnest, conscientious 
and diligent in the performance of his duties, his 
worth in commercial circles became recognized 
and proved the means of winning for him a 
good jiatronage when he embarked in business on 
his own account. Three years ago, in 1902, he 
established a large general grocery store at 701- 
703 Packard street in the midst of the finest resi- 
dence district of this city and he now has a splen- 
did trade from the best families of this locality. 
He is the senior ]iartner of the firm of Fischer & 
Finnell and they carry only hi.gh grade goods, 
having a well appointed store and neat and taste- 
ful in its arrangement. The business has con- 
stantly grown in volume and importance during 
the years in which the firm has had an existence 
anfl the trade now returns to them an excellent 
profit annually. 

In 1888 ]\Ir. Fischer was united in marriage 
to Miss Jennie Finnell, a sister of his partner and 
a representative of one of the old families of Ann 
Arbor. They had two children, but Luella. a 
beautiful girl of fifteen years, died in 1903, and 
was laid to rest in the Ann Arbor cemetery. The 
surviving daughter, Gertrude, twelve years of 
age, is now a student in the public schools of this 
city. Theirs is a beautiful home at No. 814 South 
State street in the best residence portion of the 



336 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



city and it is justly celebrated for its gracious 
liospitality, both Mr. and Mrs. Fischer occupying 
an enviable position in social circles. 

His activity in business life would alone en- 
title him to representation in this volume with the 
leading men of Ann Arbor of the past and pres- 
ent, but chapters in his record are also notable. 
He has been alderman of the seventh ward for 
six years, elected on the republican ticket, and 
has labored untiringly and effectively for the 
best interests of the city at large, exercising his 
official prerogatives in support of many measures 
that have contributed to the general good. He is 
also one of the county auditors and as a member of 
the council has served on the finance and other 
committees. Fraternally he is connected with 
the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Mu- 
tual Benefit Association, having in the latter 
served at various times as president, vice presi- 
dent, secretary and treasurer. A communicant 
of the Catholic church, he is loyal to its teachings, 
while in politiad and business circles he has made 
an enviable name and won a gratifying success. 



GERHARD JOSENHANS. 

Among the representatives of the German- 
American citizens of Ann Arbor is numbered 
Gerhard Josenhans, whose birth occurred in Leon- 
berg, on the 5th of January, 1855. His parents, 
Jonathan and Charlotta (Weigle) Josenhans, 
were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and in 
the fall of 1855 they crossed the briny deep to the 
new world and made their way into the interior 
of the country, settling at Ann Arbor, where they 
spent the winter. In the following spring they 
took up their abode on a farm just west of the 
city, now belonging to the Fritz estate, where 
they lived until 1865, when the father sold his 
property and bought a farm west of Saline, in the 
township of Saline. There he lived for some 
time, when he again sold out and invested in a 
tract of land in York township. In his native 
land he had engaged in the manufacture of cloth 
and dress goods but after reaching the new world 
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits 



which he followed continuous!}- for many years. 
When his work had brought him a sufficient capi- 
tal he retired from active business and for twenty 
years enjoyed the fruits of his former labor in a 
well earned ease. He died in May, 1902, and was 
survived for only a brief period by his wife, who 
passed away in September of the same year. They 
were the parents of twelve children and there has 
been no death among this number. The family 
record is as follows : Johanna Ijccame the wife 
of Rev. J. G. Hildner, and their son is Professor 
J. A. C. Hildner of the University of IMichigan. 
j\Irs. Cornelia Reimold is living in Salina. Kan- 
sas. Leonard makes his home on the old farm in 
York. Gotthold is engaged in the dry-goods 
litisiness at Blissfield, Michigan. Samuel follows 
blacksmithing in Saline, Michigan. Agatha is 
living in York. Frederick follows farming in 
Kansas. Theodore makes his home in York town- 
ship. Timothy is an architect of .Seattle. Washing- 
ton. Gerhard is the next of the family. Augusta 
and Frcdreka are living upon the home farm in 
York township. 

Gerhard Josenhans spent the first sixteen \ears 
of his life on his father's farm in this county, 
having been brought to America when but a few 
months old. At the usual age he began his edu- 
cation in the public schools and on the 21st of 
August, 1871, he came to Ann Arbor, where en- 
tered the employ of Mack & Schmid in the hum- 
lile capacitN' of an errand or utility boy. He has 
been with that house continuously since, winning 
promotion through ability and loyalty until he 
was made manager of the dress goods department 
and then floor-walker. This is the largest de- 
partment store in .A.mi Arbor and is an unusually 
fine enterprise of this character for a city of its 
size, an immense trade being conducted. The 
firm is now Mack & Company, and the house is 
located at No. 222-224 Main street. 

In 1881 Mr. Josenhans was married to Miss 
Rosena Bross, a native of Ann Arbor, and they 
have two children : Alma, who at the age of 
twenty years is in charge of the sub-postal station 
in the store of Mack & Company; and Milda, who 
at the age of fifteen years is attending school. 
Mrs. Josenhans was a daughter of Jacob and 
Anna Marie Bross, old residents of Ann Arbor, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



337 



lier father coiuluctino; for many years a wagon 
sho]! on South INhiin street. Mr. and Mrs. Josen- 
liaiis lia\e a heautifiil home at No. 6o2 East Ann 
street and it is noted for its hospital it}', being- 
the center of a euhured society circle. In social 
and business life Mr. Josenhans has gained a 
host of friends, \vho esteem him highly for his 
sterling qualities and unfailing courtesy. His 
success has been so marked that his business 
methods are of interest to the general public and 
in an anah'zation of his life work it will be found 
that his advancement has come to him by reason 
of his fidelity, his unswirving integrity and his 
imabating industry. 



JOIl.V AUGUST ALP.ER. 

John August .Alber, who, as a member of the 
firm of Stadel &- Alber, is conducting a large 
business as a contractor and builder in .\nn .Arbor, 
was born in Lodi township. Washtenaw county, 
.\ngust 24. 1855, liis parents being John ( ieorge 
and Margarita (Afetzger) Alber, both of whom 
"were natives of Germany, born in Wurtemberg. 
The father was one of the oldest settlers in this 
count}-, having crossed the .Atlantic to the L'nited 
States and n-iade his way westward to .Michigan 
at an early period in the development of this part 
of the state. .A farmer by occupation, he became 
the owner of eighty acres of land, and as his fi- 
nancial resources increased he added to the prop- 
erty until he had one hundred and sixtv acres. 
His death occurred in I.odi in 180,3. when he was 
sixty-three years of age. while his wife passed 
away in i8qS, at the age of sixty-seven vears. The 
member of their family were as follows : John 
Au.sjust. of this review ; Charles Michael, a resi- 
dent farn-ier of Salir.e township; Erhardt Freder- 
ick, who follows farn-iing in Perr\- county, Alichi- 
gan : \\"illiani Henry, a farmer of Lodi town.ship ; 
Gottlieb Emanuel, a painter of Lodi ; John Chris- 
tian, a farmer living in .Saline, and Erhardt .\.. 
projjrietor of the St. James Hotel at Ann .Arbor. 

At the usual age John .August .Alber entered 
the district schools of Lodi townshi]x where he 
continued his studies until sixteen vears old. 
A¥hen a \-oung man of eighteen vears he betran 



learning the carpenter's and builder's trade, and 
previous to this he assisted his father in the work 
of the home farm. earl\- becoming familiar with 
the duties of field and meadow. For two years 
he served as an apjirentice to a contractor in Lodi. 
He built George Page's barn, forty b}- seventy 
feet, one of the largest in the county, and in 1888 
he came to Ann .\rbor, ^vhere he worke<l at his 
trade in the enii)lo\ of others until the spring of 
7895, when he entered into partnership with Sam- 
uel Stadel. He has since been engaged in house 
building in this city and in surrounding districts 
and has been accorded a number of important con- 
tracts, while on all sides are seen evidences of his 
handiwork and skill in the substantial homes of 
.Ann .Arbor. He is thoroughlv conversant with 
the builder's art. both in ];)rinciple and detail, is 
prompt and faithful in the execution of a contract, 
and his hoi-ioralile methods have brou.ght to hin-i 
a liberal patrona.ge. 

( )n the 30th of .April, 1880, Air. .Alber was 
united in marriage to Miss Jacobina Blumhardt, 
a daughter of John (\. and Wilheln-iina Blum- 
hardt, natives of Germai-iy. Mr. and Airs. .Alber 
now have three children : Wilhelmina, born .April 
9, 1884: Christian William, born .April 6, 1888: 
and Gertrude Elsie, born Se|:)ten-iber 26, 1893. 
The parents hold membership in Zion Lutheran 
church, and thev occupy a magnificent new resi- 
dence which Mr. Alber has recently completed 
at No. tt2 Third street. 



SUMNER PUSH, AI. D. 

Dr. Sumner Push, engaged successfully in the 
practice of medicine and surgery in Chelsea, was 
born in Gaines, IMichigan, in October, 1871, his 
parents bein,g Jan^es E. and Delia (Pird) Bush. 
The father was a farmer of Gaines, Genesee 
county, and came to Michigan from the state of 
New York. He is still living upon the old home- 
stead, devoting his time and energies to general 
agricultural pursuits. He has a family of five 
children : Alfred, who is a n-iinister of the gospel : 
Clara : Fred, who is ei-|gage<l in bookkeeping : 
Alar^- and Sumner. 



338 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



The last named was at oiu' time a stnik'iit in 
St. Louis, .Michis^'an. and pin'suocl a liit^li school 
course there. Having ac(iuired a good Hterary 
knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which 
to rear the superstructure of professional learn- 
ing he entered the Alichigan Tniversity and was 
graduated from the medical department \\'ith the 
class of i8iK). lie was afterward interne in a 
h<is]>ital in \S^)(>-J. and then located lor practice 
in Chelsea, where he has since made his home. 
Here he hecame recognized as a leading re])re- 
sentative of the profession, keeping in touch with 
the progress and advanced thought of tlie medical 
fraternity, nor caring to venture heyond the re- 
gion of a general iiractice, tor he finds in this 
ample scope for the exercise of his native talents 
and energies. He is a memher of the State .Medi- 
cal .Society and is a conscientious practitioner, 
who closelv adheres to a high standard of jiro- 
fessional ethics. 

Dr. r)ush was married to A'liss Nettie R. Lane, 
a daughter of F. D. Lane, of Michigan, and in 
U)04 was called upon to mourn the death of his 
wife. His fraternal relations are with Olive lodge, 
No. 156. .\. V. &■ A. Al., and Olive chapter. No. 
140. R. .\. Al. In his political views he has ever 
l)een a repuhlican. hut is without aspiration for 
office, preferring to give his undivided attention 
to his practice, which is constantly growing in 
volume and importance. He has long since dem- 
onstrated his ahility to cope with the intricate 
proljlems that continually confront the jilusician 
and he e\'er has deep interest in -nu i|nesti()n 
which tends to bring to man the ke\- to that com- 
l)lex mystery which we call life. 



COMSTOCK F. HILL. 

Mr. Hill was l)(irn near the site of the now- 
famous ^ft. Holyoke .'>eminar\' in ^ilassachu.setts, 
on the 27th of June. 1835. His father. Fitch Hill, 
was a car])enter and joiner by trade, hut hecame 
the owner of a farm w liich he personalK managed. 
He moved to ^Michigan and settled near .\nn 
.Vrlxir on the Liberty street road, where for some 
time he crmducted a mill, while later he euij'at'ed 



in farming. There were three children in his 
family: James, deceased; Mrs. Eliza Kerr, of 
Cooperstown, North Dakota; and Oimstock F,, 
of this review. 

Comstock 1-". Hill was twice married. In 1866 
he married I.ydia lientin, of Lodi Plains, where 
they lived on a farm wdiich he managed with other 
business interests until iSi)(). when he moved to 
.\nn Arbor. Three children were born to them ; 
Ernest C, who married Xina Wells, of \'ermont- 
ville, Michigan, and they have one son, Lawrence; 
Ada 1'.,, of Ami Arbor; and Theodore R.. living 
nn the home farm, married Anna Fellows, of Sa- 
line, in i8i)<), and they have one daughter, Ruth. 
Following the death of his first wife in 1875. Mr. 
Hill marrieil her sister, I'.miK' I'lCntin, in 1881. 
They lived together until .Xovembcr _'5. 1899. 
when she was called to her final rest. 



PALL KORZUCK. 



Paul Korzuck, who is engaged in contracting 
and building in Ann Arbor, was born in Prussia, 
("■■erman)-, on the 22(1 of February, 1867, a son 
of Frank and .\lbertina Korzuck. Tn the year 
1889 the parents came to the I'nited States and 
in 1890 took up their abode in Ann .Arbor. The 
father is a carpenter, still following that trade but 
the mother has departed this life. In their family 
were three sons, Paul. .\Ibert and Richard, all of 
whom are residents of this city. 

Paul Korzuck pursued his education in the 
public schools of German\ and after putting aside 
his text-books ]5repared for the practical duties of 
life by learning the carpenter's trade and has since 
been connected with this line of activity He was 
employed by others for some time and then em- 
barked in contracting and building on his owm 
accotmt, in which connection he has been a repre- 
sentative <if industrial life of Ann .Arbor for 
many years. .Some good contracts have been 
awarded him and he receives a liberal share of 
the public iKitronage which comes to him in 
recognition of his skill and capabilitv and his 
interest in all of his business relations. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



339 



In 1900 Mr. Korzuck was united in marriage 
to Miss Minnie Reddeman and they now have 
two interesting little daughters, Lucile and Leona, 
aged respectively five and three years. Mr. 
Korzuck is a member of the Modern Woodmen 
of America and also of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, while in his political views he is a re- 
publican. He stands as an advocate of all that 
tends to advance the welfare of his community 
along material, social, political, intellectual and 
moral lines and is a worthy representative of the 
German citizenship of Ann Arbor — which has 
been a most important element in the development 
and upbuilding of the city. 



FRANK JOSLYN. 

Frank Joslyn is a leading member of the Yjjsi- 
lanti bar. and his life record is in contradiction to 
the old adage that a prophet is never without 
honor save in his own country, for he has so di- 
rected his efforts and energies that at the bar he 
has made a name and gained success second to 
none of the lawyers of the city. He was born 
November 25. 1843, "i sf^'i oi the late Judge 
Chauncey Joslyn. whose birth occurred in the 
Empire state, and who died in Ann .\rbor in Oc- 
tober, 1889. The father pursued his education in 
the schools of New York, and after completing 
his literary education, took up the study of law. 
following which he was admitted to the bar. In 
1833 he came to Michigan and cast in his lot 
with the pioneer settlers of Ypsilanti. Mere he 
opened a law office and ])racticed for f<iur or five 
vears. after which he engaged for a short time in 
the milling business. Tn 1880 he was elected cir- 
cuit court judge, and held the office until suc- 
ceeded by Judge Kinne. He was also at one 
time ])robate judge of Washtenaw county, and 
was a worthy representative of the i)rofession 
which stands as the conservator of personal right, 
lil)ertv and justice. He became a factor in the 
public life of the state, and was influential in 
molding thought and opinion. He was twice 
married, his first union being with Caroline Com- 
stock, who died when the subject of this review 



was about six years of age. They had three chil- 
dren : Fred C. who is now living in Oakland. 
California ; Frank, the subject of this review ; and 
George, who died May i. 1861. For his second 
wife Judge Joslyn wedded Sarah M. Silsby, now 
deceased, and they had three children : Alvira C. 
the wife of Charles R. Whitman, of Chicago; Ella 
and Uenjaniin F.. both of whom are living in 
New York city. 

Reared in Ypsilanti, Frank Joslyn entered tlie 
public schools at the usual age and passed 
through successive grades until he was gradu- 
ated from the high school with the class of \?<(>2. 
and entered the University of Michigan, but like 
many another college career, begun in those 
trou1)lesome times, his course was cut short by his 
country's call for aid to preserve the Union. Tn 
the summer vacation following his matriculation 
in the university he enlisted as a member of Com- 
pany B. Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and in the 
spring of 1863 was promoted to the rank of sec- 
ond lieutenant of the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, 
but never obtained his commission on account of 
the ill feeling that existed between Governor 
F'.lair and his father, Judge Joslyn. He then re- 
mainefl at home imtil March, 1865. when he again 
joined the army as a member of the Twenty- 
fourth }ilichigan Infantry, remaining at Camp 
Cutler, in Jackson, until the close of the war. 

Returning to his home in Ypsilanti, Mr. Joslyn 
was. for two years, employed as a clerk in a 
mercantile establishment, and later spent two 
\ears as bookkeeper in a Detroit house, .\gain 
coming to his native city he took up the stud\' of 
law in the office of Joslyn & Itlodgett. of which 
his father was the senior partner. There he re- 
mained until the election of Judge Joslyn to the 
circuit l)ench. In 1881 Frank Joslyn was admit- 
ted to the bar, and has since been active in the 
practice of law. His fellow townsmen, recogniz- 
ing his worth and ability, have several times 
called him to office, and, for seventeen years, he 
filled the position of city clerk, a record un- 
cqualed, perhaps, in the history of the state. In 
1885 he was elected justice of the peace for the 
second district of his city, and served thus until 
1891. when he resigned and removed to Muske- 
gon. Michigan. .After six years' residence there he 



340 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



returned to YpsilaiUi and was once more chosen 
justice of the peace, being' retained in the office 
up to the present time. His poHtical allegiance 
has ever been given ti i the democracy, and he is 
fearless in the defense of his honest convictions. 
In 1871 judge Joslyn was married to ^liss 
Kate Beach and the\- have a son and two daugh- 
ters. Walter B., the eldest, is now an electrician 
residing in Stockton, California. Kate 1!. and 
Fannie Pi., twins, are at home. Judge Joslyn is 
quite prominent in fraternal circles. He belongs 
to Phoenix lodge. No. 13, .\. F. & .\. M. and to 
the order of the Eastern Star, lie is likewise a 
member of .\nn Arbor lodge of Elks, the Inde- 
pendent Order of Foresters, the .\ncient Order of 
United \\'orkmen and its Ladies" Auxiliary, the 
Maccabees, the Royal .\rcanum and the Colum- 
bian League. Socially he possesses those quali- 
ties which render him po])uIar : and he is a fa- 
vorite, not only in fraternal circles, but through- 
out Ypsilanti and wherever known. He pos- 
sesses a jovial, genial disposition, spreading 
around him much of the sunshine of life. In his 
profession he has long been recognized as an able 
practitioner with a comprehensive knowledge of 
the principles of jurisprudence, and is seldom at 
error in the slightest degree in the correctness of 
his application of a legal principle to the ])oints 
in litigation. 



JA.AIES LELAND B.VBCOCK. 

James Leland Babcock, one of Ann Arbor's 
most prominent citizens, is the eldest son of Dr. 
Leland Babcock and Elizabeth (James) Babcock, 
and was born in Goshen, Hampshire county, 
Massachusetts, February 10, 1840. He is a de- 
scendant of the Pilgrim Fathers through his 
mother, who was the daughter of Captain Malachi 
and Elizabeth (Lyman) James. 

Captain Malachi James was a descendant of 
John James, the elder of three brothers, all of 
whom came to America about the time the Pil- 
grim Fathers landed at Plymouth Rock. John 
James married Deborah Bates, of Pembrook, 
Massachusetts, and had six children, of whom 



John James, Jr., was the eldest. John James, Jr., 
was born in 1744, married Lois Beals, of Cohas- 
sett, Massachusetts, .Vpril 4, 1765, and died July 
1 1, 1804. Malachi. his son, was born July 9, 1767. 
and was married to Elizabeth Lyman, of 
Northampton, Alassachusetts. February 18, 
1790. and died .\ugust 24, 1849. He was 
an aide to General Mattoon in Shay's re- 
bellion and had eleven children, of whom 
Mrs. Elizabeth Babcock, the mother of the 
subject of our sketch, was one. Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Babcock died in .\nn Arbor, .\ugust t6. 
1898. Others who became residents of \\'ashte- 
naw county were Luther James, who came here 
in 1835, engaged largely in wool buying and 
amassed a large fortune Iiy it. He it was who 
donated to the county the courthouse clock. He 
died in .\nn .\rbor July 23, 1888, aged eighty-five 
vears. Enoch James died in Ann .Vrbor h^ebruary 
28, iSf-ij. Lewis L. James died in Dexter. .Au- 
gust 17, 1880, and Mrs. Sophia Sears died in 
Lima, January 16, 1879, 

Mr. Babcock's father. Dr. Leland P.abcock, was 
the son of Amos Babcock and was born in Peters- 
burg, New York, April 29, 1818, and died in Chi- 
cago, Illinois, November 28, 1893. He was a 
phvsician of much note. Amos Babcock was 
born April 28, 17^7, and died in 1846 at Peters- 
Inirg, New York. He was a lineal descendant of 
James Babcock who was born in Essex county, 
England, in 16 12 and emigrated to Rhode Island 
previous to 1640. This branch of the Babcock 
family in England had a coat of arms, and an 
older brother was a knight. Mr. Babcock's an- 
cestors saw service among the patriots of the 
Revolutionary war as did the ancestors of his 
wife. 

James L. Babcock was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Goshen and at the academy at 
Northampton, Massachusetts. For ten years he 
was engaged in the mercantile business in Lake 
street. Chicago, until the great fire of 1871. Com- 
ing to .\nn Arbor in 1871, he joined his uncle, 
Luther James, and took care of much of his ex- 
tensive business. On the death of his uncle, he 
succeeded to the greater ]:)art of his large fortune. 
He purchased the Dr. Wells homestead on the 
corner of Division and .Ann streets and entirely 




JAMES L. BABCOCK. 



5;, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



343 



remodeled it, makino- it one of the handsomest 
liomes in the state. 

Mr. Piabcock was married September 29, 1892, 
to Miss Ella Stanley Butler, of Waukesha, Wis- 
consin, daughter of Walter C. and Cynthia (Stan- 
ley) Butler. Mrs. Rabcock is a talented woman, 
a fine musician and conversationalist. She was 
educated at her early home. New Haven, Con- 
necticut. 

I'.oth Mr. and Airs. Babcock spend much time 
in traveling; and divide their time largely between 
Ann Arbor, Waukesha, Wisconsin, Connecticut 
and Massachusetts, but they have visited many 
other parts of the country and enjoy the- otium 
cum dignatiti which their means entitle them to. 
They entertain a great deal anrl their receptions 
are looked forward to as among the greatest so- 
ciety events of the season. Mr. Babcock is public 
spirited, liberal but unostentatious. He has given 
to many things of a public nature. He is a director 
in tile I'irst National l!ank of Ann Arbor. He is 
a member of the Sons of the Revolution, having 
joined the chapter in Detroit, there being no 
chapter in .\nn .\rbor. Mrs. I'.abcock is a mem- 
ber of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
and was one of the twelve founders of the Sarah 
Caswell .\ngell chapter at .\nn Arbor. 



CF.ORCF. IT. POXD. 



Ceorge H. Pond, |iostniaster of .-\nn Arlior, was 
born in Putnam, Livingston county, Michigan, on 
the i^th of Jime, 1846, and is one of a family of 
eight children, and the only surviving son of Na- 
than and Rutilla (Mead) T'ond. The father was 
a native <^f \'erniont and was a son of Hon. Ben- 
jamin Pond, who was a luember of congress dur- 
ing the second war with Great Britain and who 
voted to declare and sustain that struggle. Na- 
than Pond was a soldier during the war of 181 2, 
serving with a New York regiment, which took an 
active jjart in the battle of Plattsburg. Mr. Pond 
traces his family history in this country back to 
1630 on his father's side, the ])rogenitor of the 
family coming from England during that year 
with ( loyernor \\'inthrop. On his mother's side 



also the Mead family, from which he descends, 
were among the very first permanent emigrants 
that came to America. On leaving the east his 
father came to Michigan in 1832, making his 
way to Ann Arlxir, and residing at Dixboro for 
three or four years, which place at that time bid 
fair to become prominent. Ann Arbor was then 
a small village, and the country but sparsely set- 
tled, while the work of improvement and progress 
seemed scarcely begun. About 1836 he removed 
to Livingston count)-, where he took up his abode 
upon a farm and where he lived for many years. 
He married Miss Rutilla Mead, a native of Ver- 
mont, born July 5, 1820, and they became the 
parents of eight children, of whom but two are 
now living. The daughter. Miss Abbie A. Pond, 
resides in Detroit and was for over twenty years 
a prominent and capable teacher in the Ann .\rbor 
public schools. 

George H. Pond spent the days of his childhood 
and youth upon his father's farm in Livingston 
county and pursued his education there in the 
district schools and later at Ann Arbor. He en- 
tered u|)on newspajier work in 1869, as an eiii- 
].)loye in the office of the .■\nn .Vrbor Argus, re- 
ceiving his early instruction in journalism from 
that able editor, Elihu B. Pond. A few years later 
he became publisher and editor of the Tuscola 
County .\dvertiser, at Caro, Michigan. In 1883, 
however, he returned to this city in the employ of 
Julius E. Beal, in the publication of the Courier, 
with which he retained his connection for four- 
teen \ears, becoming one of the well known jour- 
nalists of the state. Mr. Pond has also rendered 
valuable service to his city and count\- in public 
office, and the trust re])osed in him has been worth- 
ily |)laced, for his official career has been actuated 
by patriotic and |iublic-spirited servdce. He filled 
the |)osition of city treasurer for two terms, and 
for four years was a member of the county board 
of school examiners. His first public service in 
office was that of city recorder, retaining the in- 
cumbency for three terms, having been elected on 
the reiJublican ticket at a time when the democrats 
had a larg'e majority in the city. He likewise 
acted as supervisor of the fourth ward for two 
terms, and in each office he has studied the duties 
that have devolved U]5on him, and the extent of 



344 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



his official prerogatives, and has so labored as to 
produce excellent results for the cit}- and count). 
In 1889 he was appointed a member of the cit\ 
board of fire commissioners, and served in that 
capacity four }ears, helping to organize the pres- 
ent efficient fire department, jnne i. 1898, he was 
appointed postmaster <>i Ann Arbnr by President 
^Villiam AlcKinlc\'. and received reappointment 
from President Roosevelt in H)02, so that he is at 
present administering the duties of the office, 
which for a citv of this size transacts an unusual 
amount of business and handles a vast amount "f 
mail. The service for the ])ast seven years, dur- 
ing which time solid rural free delivery has been 
successfully introduced and the city service greatly 
extended, has been efficient and satisfactory, 
largely due to the untiring efforts and personal 
attention given it by Mr. Pond. He has thor- 
oughly systematized the work of the office, so that 
the best possible results are obtained. During 
his incumbency the receipts of the office have 
risen from thirty-four thousand one hundred and 
ten dollars and four cents in 1897, to fifty-four 
thousand five hundred and twenty dollars and 
fifty-eight cents in 1904, and the office has been 
advanced from the second to the first class. 

In 1872 Mr. Pond was united in marriage to 
Miss Nellie J. Carman, of Flint, Michigan, who 
died ."-Vpril 8. 1887. They were the parents of 
four children, of whom TJewellyn and Lilian, 
the first and third members of the familv are now 
deceased. Harry E.,' who served in the Spanisli- 
.\merican war as a corporal iri Com]iany A. 
Thirty-first Michigan Infantry regiment, is now 
in .San Gabriel, California, while Elisabeth Pearl, 
the youngest, lives at home with her father. 

On September i, 1890, Mr. Pond was again 
married, his second union being with Mrs. ?\label 
Bushnell Keith, of .\nn Arbor, who had one child 
by her former marriage, Kenneth B. Keith, who 
is now seventeen years old and a student at the 
.\nn Arbor high school. 

^Ir. Pond is a member of Fratcrnitv lodge. F. 
& A. M., and also of Washtenaw chapter. R. .\. 
:\r.. and belongs to Arbor tent, K. O. T. M. He 
was for several years a vestryman and innior 
warden of St. Andrew's Episcopal church, of 
which his entire famil\- are communicants. That 



Mr. Pond's life has been a busy one can be judgeil 
from the fact that besides his other activities he 
found time to serve for several years as secretary 
of the Washtenaw County Fair Association ; was 
also the first president of the .\nn .\rbor Press 
Qub, which at the time was quite an active org'an- 
ization, and for several years a director of the 
Y. M. C. A. during its early period, helping to 
lay the foundation for its years of later success. 
There has scarcely been a time in the past twenty 
\ears that he has not been chairman or secretary 
of some important committee of the repulilican 
party in the city or comity. 

Since age gave him the right of franchise he 
has never faltered in his alleg'iance to the jirinci- 
l)Ies of the republican party, but has always stood 
by the organization which has been the champion 
of reform progress and beneficial constructive 
legislation. Having for many years resided in 
.\nn .Vrbor. as a representative of journalistic and 
political interests, he has become widely known. 
In all things he is eminently practical, so that his 
efforts are residtant factors in whatever he under- ^ 
takes, and his official record has won him high 
encomiums because of the fidelity and ability with 
which he has discharn'cd his duties. 



JACOP, F. WURSTFR. 

Jaciib F. ^^'urster, conducting a ]irofitable dairy 
business in -\nn .\rbor, was born in .Simmcrsfeld, 
\\'urtemberg, Germany, ^ilarch 3, 1877. His 
father, George Frederick Wurster, a farmer by 
occupation, is now living in N'orthfield township, 
as is the mother, who in her maidenhood bore the 
name of Regina Gunther. The brothers of our 
subject are : George Frederick, a daimnan re- 
siding in Xorthfield township : Martin and John, 
who are resident farmers of .\nn .Arbor township ; 
-\dam, who was drowned in Huron river be- 
tween Ann Arbor and Geddes in .\pril, 1904: 
and Regina, the wife of Edward Danner, of 
Northfield township. 

Mr. Wurster acquired his early education in 
Wurtcmberg. ])ursuing his studies there imtil 
ten vears of age. when he came with his father's 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



345 



family to the new world in 1887, the family home 
being established in Ann Arbor. After six months 
they removed to a farm in Northfield township, 
and through the succeeding five years Air. Wur- 
ster, of this review, was a student in the district 
schools. In lyoo he began business as a dealer in 
milk and owner of a dairy in Ann Arbor, and is 
still engaged in this line with a patronage that 
makes his work very profitable. 

In 1903 Air. Wurster was united in marriage 
to Miss Emma Helber, a daughter of John and 
Alary Helber, of Ann Arbor, both of whom were 
born in A\'urtemberg, Germany. They have a 
beautiful home at No. 913 Main street, South, and 
are pojmlar in this city, with a circle of friends 
that is almost co-extensive with the circle of their 
acquaintance. Mr. Wurster is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen camp and also the Home 
Guards of .\mcrica and he belongs to the Zion 
Lutheran church. He is yet a young man, but 
has already attained success that many an older 
man might well envy, and in an analyzation of his 
life work it will be seen that industry and perse- 
verance have been the salient features in his 
career and constitute the .source of his present 
creditable financial position. 



CARL F. BRAUN. 



Carl F. Braun, assistant cashier of the Ann 
.\rbor Savings Bank, was born January 26, 1873, 
in Ann Arbor township, this county. His grand- 
father, John Braun, was a native of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, and came to Washtenaw county, Michi- 
gan, in early life. In his family were eight chil- 
dren : Micheal. a farmer residing on the Whit- 
more Lake road : Charles, who is farming in the 
same locality : Henry, who carries on agricultural 
pursuits on the Dixboro road ; Christian, deceased ; 
Mrs. Christine Kirn, of Ann Arbor ; Mrs. Caddie 
Stein, who is living in Ann Arbor township : 
Simon, deceased; and Frederick B., the father of 
our subject. 

Frederick E. Braun was a native of Washtenaw 
county, born in October. 1840, and spent his entire 
life here. His father purchased the Vogel farm 



west of Ann Arbor when he was twelve years of 
age, and on selling that property bought a farm 
on the Whitmore Lake road. In 1869 Frederick 
B. Braun bought the farm on the Dixboro road, 
which was his home up to the time of his death. 
?Ie became recognized as one of the influential 
and leading business men of the county and was 
president of the W'ashtenaw Mutual Fire Insur- 
ance Company at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in December, 1902. His success was 
marked and attriljutable entirely to his well di- 
rected efforts. He was a man of unassailable in- 
tegrity in his business affairs, was highly re- 
spected in all of life's relations, and bv his cour- 
tesy and kindliness he won hosts of friends who 
hold his memory sacred. He was a republican in 
his political views, very prominent in the ranks of 
the party, and held almost every township office. 
He belonged to the Zion Lutheran church and 
was a man of upright life and of marked influ- 
ence, leaving the impress of his individuality for 
good upon many public movements. He mar- 
ried Regina Kirn, also a native of Michigan, and 
to them were born three children : Carl F. ; Ben- 
jamin N., who is senior engineer in the University 
of Michigan ; and Caddie M., who died in 1887. 

Reared in the county of his nativity and edu- 
cated in the public schools, Carl F. Braun is a 
graduate of the Ann Arbor high school of the 
class of 1892. He continued to assist his father 
in carrying on general agricultural pursuits until 
January, 1894, when he entered the Ann Arbor 
Savings Bank in the position of collector. He has 
been successively promoted to bookkeeper, teller 
and assistant cashier, filling the latter position at 
the present writing. This bank stands first in 
Michigan in point of surplus to capital, with total 
resources of over two million dollars. Mr. Braun 
has become interested in other business enterprises, 
being now a director in the Crescent works, where 
corsets, waists and skirts are extensively manu- 
factured. He and his brother still retain the own- 
ership of the homestead property, which is a fine 
dairy farm, comprising one hundred sixty-three 
and a half acres of land. 

In October. 1899, Mr.. Braun was united in 
marriage to Miss Marie C. Knapp, of Chicago, 
and they have one son, Roger K., who is five years 



346 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



of age. A[r. Mraun is an indepeiulent republican 
in his political views. For about ten years he has 
been one of the directors of the Alumni Associa- 
tion and has also been treasurer during that en- 
tire time. He is a young man of excellent business 
ability, who is steadily working his way upward, 
realizing that capability and close application con- 
stitute the basis of all success. 



BYRON C. WHITAKER. 

Bvron C. Whitaker. who, retired from agri- 
cultural life, has for many years been a resi- 
dent of De.xter. where for some time he was con- 
nected with conimercial interests, was bom in 
Pienton. Yates county, New York. May 30, 1835. 
His parents were Is.aac J- and .A.chsah (Cushman) 
Whitaker. The father was born in Barnards 
township, Somerset county. New Jersey, on the 
i6th of January, 1792, and died in April, 1855, 
tipon the old homestead in Lima township. His 
wife, who was born in Kent, Putnam county. 
New York, on the nth of July, 1796. passed 
awa\- in 1883. When Isaac Whitaker came to 
Michigan the state had not been admitted into 
tlic Union and he was one of the pioneer settlers 
of Lima township who aided in laying the foun- 
dation for its present development and prosperity. 
He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
the greater part of which was covered with tim- 
ber. A small clearing had been made and a lit- 
tle log cabin l)uilt and in this primitive home he 
continued to reside until 1849, when he built a 
more modern and commodious residence. Sub- 
sequently he purchased another tract of land of 
one hundred and sixt\' acres that had been im- 
proved to some extent. He largelv engaged in 
raising wheat and his market was on the Huron 
river at Dexter. Not only was he active in busi- 
ness life but took a helpful part in community 
affairs and for many years capably and efficiently 
served as road commissioner. He attended church 
at Lima Center and was one of the worthy pio- 
neer citizens of the county. In the family were 
seven children : Charles, Stephen D., Phebe C, 
Isaac M., Matilda L, Anna S., and Bvron C. 



Tiie last named is the only surviving member 
of the family. He was brought by his parents to 
this county in the fall of 1836, arriving in the 
month of October. He pursued his early educa- 
tion in the district schools and afterward contin- 
ued his studies in Ypsilanti. Upon the old home- 
stead he was reared amid the scenes of pioneer 
life and shared with the family in the hardships 
of a frontier existence as well as in its pleasures. 
He was early trained to the work of the farm, tak- 
ing his place in the fields almost as soon as old 
enough to reach the plow handles. Eventually 
he assumed the management of the old home- 
stead and became its owner, retaining his resi- 
dence there until 1876, when he removed to Dex- 
ter, where he now resides. He and his brother 
Isaac purchased the interest of the odier heirs 
in the old homestead and he was actively engaged 
in farming until 1876, when, as stated, he took 
11]) his abode in Dexter, where he embarked in 
the luiuber and hardware business in 1881, con- 
tinuing in that line of trade for about eight years. 
He next went upon the road selling reapers, mow- 
ers and binders and spent six vears as a traveling 
salesman. 

It was on the 17th of December, 1862, that 
^Ir. Whitaker was united in marriage to Miss 
Lucinda Holmes, a daughter of Rosencrans and 
.Salone (W'akeman ) Holmes, who resided at 
Xorthville, Wayne county, ^[ichigan. and were 
pioneer farming peo|ile of that locality. Both have 
passed away but six of their children are yet liv- 
ing, as follows : Alfred ; Hiram ; tjeorge L. ; Sa- 
rah, the wife Robert Yerkes ; Lobisa, the wife of 
Henry W. Norton ; and Dorinda. the wife of Sam- 
uel Bassett. Unto .Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker have 
been born two daughters, but the elder, ,\da M., 
died in infancy. .\nna M., is now the wife of 
.\lfred E. Phelps, who resides in Dexter. 

Mr. Whitaker has been active and influential in 
comnnmity affairs and has been called by his 
fellow townsmen to several positions of public 
trust. He was supervisor of Lima township for 
one term, also supervisor of Scio township for 
nine years and has served as justice of the peace 
and township treasurer. From 1901 until 1903 he 
representetl his district in the state legislature and 
this high honor was well bestowed, for he proved 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



347 



a capable member of tbe house, unfaltering in 
his advocac}- of any measure which he believed 
would benefit the commonwealth. He was made 
a Mason in 1858 and is now the oldest member of 
Washtenaw lodge, No. 65, A. F. & A. M., of 
Dexter. His daug-hter, Mrs. Phelps, is a mem- 
ber of Eastern Star lodge, No. 302. Few resi- 
dents of the county have longer resided within 
its borders than has Mr. \Miitaker, who for 
sevent\- years has made his home in \\^ashtenaw 
county. Great indeed have been the changes 
which have been wrought in this time as time 
and man have worked the transformation that 
seems almost magical. He has seen the forests 
replaced bv waving fields of grain, in the midst 
of which towns and villages have sprung up 
with important industrial and commercial inter- 
ests. Churches and schoolhouses have been built 
and progress has been made along all lines con- 
serving modern civilization. Air. Whitaker has 
been an interested witness of all this and his 
work has not been an imessential factor in the 
general development here. 



MINNIE MINTON DAVIS. 

Minnie Minton Davis, who since 1901 has been 
a member of the piano faculty of the University 
of Michigan, is a native of Ann Arbor. Her 
father, George Van Rensselaer Davis, one of the 
most prominent contractors and builders of this 
city at an early day. was born on Long Island on 
the loth of December, 1822, and was descended 
from W'elsh ancestry that intermarried with the 
famous Holland Dutch family of \'an Rensselaer 
in New York. 

Mr. Davis remained a resident of the Empire 
state until his removal to Michigan in 1839. in 
which vear he left Poughkeepsie and made his 
wav westward to Ann Arbor. Here he soon be- 
came known as a leading contractor and builder 
and erected many of the finest structures of the 
citv at an early day, including the old Masonic 
Temple and the principal parts of the First Na- 
tional Bank building. He also built the tower on 
the First Presbvterian church, the Winchell resi- 



dence on North University avenue, which has re- 
cently been demolished to make way for more 
modern buildings, and also Professor Frieze's 
residence on Cornwell Place. Mr. Davis was the 
first man to introduce ornamental stucco work 
on the ceilings of Ann Arbor and was ever in 
the advance as a contractor and builder and was 
therefore accorded a foremost place among the 
representatives of this industrial art in Washte- 
naw county. 

On the Qth of July, 1867, Mr. Davis was united 
in marriage to Miss Lizzie Smith, a native of 
Rochester, New York, born in 1844. She came 
to Ann Arbor in 1838, when a maiden of four- 
teen years with her mother's sister, Mrs. John 
1'. Andross, from Brockport, New York, she be- 
ing for many years a well known society leader 
of this cit}'. John Andross served under General 
Washington in the Revolutionary war and took 
part in the battle of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Davis 
was also related to the well known Page family 
of this county. From her girlhood she displayed 
nnich literary skill and talent and was a contribu- 
tor to many leading papers and periodicals. 
Many of her writings were published by Robert 
Bonner and other noted publishers of the coun- 
try. After traveling life's journey together for 
about twenty-three years Air. and Mrs. Davis 
were separated by the death of the former in 

1 81 )0. 

They had a son and two daughters, the former 
lieing Rice Beal Davis, who is now foreman of 
the Sidney .Millard printing establishment of Ann 
Arlior. He is a very prominent Mason and is an 
active member of the Young Men's Christian As- 
sDciatiim. the Typographical Union and the Sin- 
fornia. a national musical fraternity. Beulah 
lienton Davis is a graduate of the Ann Arbor 
high school and is now private stenographer ti; 
President Angell, of the LTniversity of Michigan. 

Alinnie Minton Davis, who completes the fam- 
ily, began to study the piano at the age of five 
years and made her debut in a public performance 
when only seven years of age. She continued 
her nnisical education under Professor F. H. 
Pease, of the State Normal School of Ypsilanti; 
under J. H. Hahn, of Detroit: and Professor F. 
I.. Yorke, director of the Detroit Conservatory. 



348 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



She was also a pupil of Albert Lockwood, who 
is at the head of the piano department of the Uni- 
versity School of Music, and was graduated from 
the University School of Music in June, 1901. 
SiiTce that year she has been a member of the 
piano faculty of the school and spent the summer 
of 1905 in Paris as a student of Harold Bauer, 
the famous pianist and teacher. Aliss Davis has 
exceptional talent and skill and has received fav- 
orable criticism from prominent representatives 
of the art both at home and abroad. Her quali- 
ties as a teacher are inilicated by the fact that she 
has for four years been retained as a member of 
the musical faculty of the State University. She 
is a member of the Alpha chapter of the Sigma 
Alpha Iota, a Greek sorority, and also of the La- 
dies" Musical Club of ,\nn Arbor, being its pres- 
ent vice president. Together with her brother and 
sister she is a member of the Eastern Star and 
they are all members of St. Andrew's church. 
The mother also attended that church, although 
not a member of the same. In early life the 
father belonged to the Presbyterian church of 
Poughkeepsie, New York, but after coming west 
he joined no religious organization, though he 
continued to attend the services of the Presby- 
terian church. He was also a member of the 
Odd Fellows lodge in the east but never affiliated 
with the order here. 



MOSES SEABOLT. 



Moses Seaboll, starting out in life for himself 
at the early age of twelve years, is now after long 
and active connection with business interests, en- 
abled to enjoy rest from further labor save that he 
is financially connected with a number of the cor- 
porate interests of Ann Arbor. His is a notable 
career, containing lessons worthy of emulation to 
those who have regard for the successes of life 
and the sure rewards of character. A native of 
Baden, Germany, he was born on the 15th of Jan- 
uary, 1837, and when only six months old was 
brought to America by his parents, Joseph and 
Madeline (Bumgardner) Seabolt, who were like- 
wise natives of the fatherland, in which country 



they were married. The\' brought with them their 
four children, Moses being the youngest. 

Joseph Seabolt came direct to Ann Arbor, 
Michigan, settling on the north side of the city in 
\yhat was then designated as Lower Town. He 
was a mason by trade and followed that pursuit 
for a number of years. His death occurred when 
he had reached the age of sixty-eight years, and 
his wife passed away at the a.ge of eighty-two 
years. They had seven children born in this 
country, so that their family numbered altogether 
eleven children. Of these four are yet living: 
Jacob, a resident of Ann Arbor; Moses; Mrs. 
Eliza Eisle ; and Martin M. 

Moses Seabolt began the mastery of the com- 
mon branches of English learning in a Httle log 
schoolhouse on the north side of Ann Arbor, but 
his privileges in that direction were somewhat 
meager as it was necessary that he earn his own 
living from the age of twelve years, at 
which time he secured employment in a 
flour mill, beginning there at fitting barrels. 
(iradually. however, he mastered the trade 
and later became a miller on his own ac- 
count, following the business with success for 
fourteen years. The capital thus acquired per- 
mitted his entrance into mercantile life and he 
established a grocery and bakery business as a 
member of the firm of Rinsey & Seabolt, a rela- 
tion that was maintained for thirty-four years 
with mutual pleasure and profit. Throughout that 
entire period the house sustained an unassailable 
reputation in business circles and enjoyed a con- 
stantly growing patronage so that the members of 
the firm realized a handsome return from their 
investment. When more than a third of a cen- 
tury had passed Mr. Seabolt sold his interest tO' 
his son and the business is still conducted under 
the old style, while the subject of this review is. 
now living retired. 

"How blest is he 

Who crowns in shades like these 
A youth of labor with an age of ease." 
As Mr. Seabolt prospered here he made invest- 
ment in a number of paying business enterprises 
of the city and is now a director in the First Na- 
tional Bank, also in the Ann Arbor Gas Company, 
the Michigan Furniture Company and the Ano 



20 




MOSES SEABOLT. 




MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH SEABOLT. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



353 



Arbor Organ Company, all of which are paying 
business concerns, contributing not only to indi- 
vidual success but also promoting tliL- general 
prosperity of the city. 

Mr. Seabolt's advancement in business life here 
alone entitles him to representation with the lead- 
ing residents of Washtenaw county, but his activ- 
ity in other lines are also worthy of public recog- 
nition. He has been one of the fire commissioners 
of the city for the past eighteen years and is 
called the father of the fire department of Ann 
Arbor. He joined the volunteer fire department 
fifty years ago when the services of its mem- 
bers was a matter of patriotism. He was little 
more than a l)o\' at that time and it was during the 
period when the company had only hand engines. 
He acted as chief and he has grown up with the 
department, taking an interest in its development 
and its efficiency, and doing everything in his 
power to make its service such as reflects credit 
upon the city. He is director in the Forest Hill 
Cemetery Association and for three years was a 
member of the school board, retiring from the 
ofifice in the fall of i<)04. He was a vestryman of 
St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal church and of 
the moral welfare of Ann .\rbor he has not been 
unmindful. In politics, an unswerving democrat, 
he was a member of the city council for four years 
and gave proof of his devotion to general good by 
a tangible support of many helpful aldermanic 
measures. 

On the 1st of Octoljer. 1864, Moses .Sealx.ilt 
was married in Ann Arl)or to Miss Mary V.. 
Stocking, who was born in Saginaw, Michigan, 
and died in 1885. at the age of forty-three ^ears. 
They have become the parents of five chililren: 
Morris M., born July 23. 1865, married (Jertrude 
Clute, of Three Rivers, Michigan, and has one 
daughter. Ruth Ellen: drace E., born in 1S67, is 
the wife of Dr. William Saunders and has two 
children, William and Mary E. ; Walter T.. l>orn 
October 26, 1870. married Nellie K\er and has 
one child ; Dean M., born in 1873, married Eliza- 
beth Covert and has two children; and Joseph C, 
born in 1876, married lUanche Doane. 

It is always a matter of satisfaction to the his- 
torian to record a life record of usefulness and 
activity such as Mr. Seabolt has made. He is in- 



deed a self-made man, owing his progress and 
prosperity entirely to his own labors and while he 
has attained a gratifying measure of success he 
has not concentrated his efforts alone upon busi- 
ness affairs, for the city has felt the stimulus of 
his diligence and co-operation in the approval of 
many of its leading interests. He has watched 
its development almost from its infancy and may 
justly be numbered among its founders and pro- 
moters. 



DEAN M. TYLER, M. D, 

In a history of the men past and ])resent who 
have been prominent representatives of the med- 
ical profession in Ann Arbor it is imperative that 
mention be made of Dr. 'l~yler. whose skill and 
ability and personal (|ualities gave him high 
standing in his profession. .V native of Water- 
town, New York, he came with his parents to 
Michigan, his father owning and cultivating a 
farm at Grass Lake. He entered the University 
of Michigan in order to prepare for the ]5ractice 
of medicine, which he had determined upon as a 
life work and he completed the course in the med- 
ical department with the class of 1859. Later he 
again entered his alma mater as a student in the 
law department and was graduated therefrom in 

Leaving this city Dr. Tyler removed to Kala- 
mazoo. Michigan, where for seven years he re- 
mained as an official i)f the state insane asylum 
but owing to failing health he resigned that posi- 
tion and returned to .Ann Arbor, where he after- 
ward made his home. 

Dr. Tyler married Miss Nellie L. Matthewson, 
of Pulaski. Oswego county. New York. \yho sur- 
vives him. She was a daughter of Charles A. 
and Ruth H. (Torrey) Matthewson and is now 
living in .Ann .\rbor. She is an accomplished 
])ianist and has had a notable career in music, be- 
ing for manv years a member of the choir of St. 
.Andrew's Episcopal church. She possesses a fine 
contralto voice and is always a welcome addition 
to musical circles, .^he is now an officer of the 
Order of the Eastern Star and is lieutenant com- 
mander of the Ladies of the Modern Maccabees 



354 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



of the World. She was leader of an orchestra 
for many years and is now assisting Ross Gran- 
ger, of Ann Arbor, in his school of dancing. 

Dr. Tyler held membership in the Episcopal 
church and was a man highly respected both in 
public and private life for his high attainments 
and personal qualities. He held membership in 
the A\'ashtenaw county bar and was thoroughly 
familiar with both the principles of medical and 
legal science. Dr. Tyler remained a resident of 
Ann Arbor u]) to the time of his death and his 
prominence here was the result of an irrej^roacha- 
ble private life, of his professional acquirements 
and skill and of his devotion to the general wel- 
fare and he left behind him an honorable name. 



RODNEY A. SNYDER. 

Rodney A. .Snyder, who is engaged in the c')m- 
mission business largely handling onions and 
beans and is also engaged in raising those prod- 
ucts, is a native son of Washtenaw countv. born 
on the 5th of September, 1858. His father, .Alex- 
ander Snyder, removed from the state of Xew 
York to Michigan at an early day. He was a 
son of Robert M. Snyder, who was born in \\';ir- 
ren county. New York. January 8. t8o<>. while 
his father was a native of Germany, and in 1775 
came to .'\merica. He served his country as a 
soldier of the war of 181 2, and reared his family 
in the Empire state. His son, Robert M. Snyder, 
was married on the 24th of July, 1830, to Miss 
Mary I-fart, and they became the parents of four- 
teen children. The mother died in 1873, and in 
1874 the father was again married, his second 
union l)fing with Mrs. Harriett Wheeler. He was 
a farmer by occupation, and following his re- 
moval to Michigan, settled in Webster township. 
AVashtenaw county, where he owned and operated 
a farm of two hundred acres of land. 

Upon the old homestead farm there Alexander 
.Snyder was reared, remaining imder the paren- 
tal roof until twenty-one years of age, when he 
started out u])on an independent business career, 
beconn'ng a partner in a paper store in Detroit, 
owned liy the tinn of Cornwell P.rothers, and in 



the re-organization of the business the firm be- 
came Cornwell, Snyder & Van Cleve. Later, Mr. 
Snyder sold his interest and became a dry goods 
merchant at Ypsilanti, Michigan, in partnership 
with Jerome Ei. Cross. He thus continued for 
several years, on the expiration of which period, 
he sold out and went upon the road as a traveling 
salesman, representing a grocery house. For 
twenty years he continued in that line of business 
and \yas a popular salesman, having a good pa- 
tronage, and thus making money, both for him- 
self, and the house he represented. He married 
Miss Adelaide Cornwell, and his death occurred 
in i<;oo, while his wife passed away in 1904. They 
were the parents of three children : Frank, who 
is living in Philadelphia : Louis, deceased : and 
Rodney .A. 

In his early youth Rodney .\. Sn\dcr was a 
student in the schools of Ypsilanti. and after- 
ward attended the Normal Institute and the pub- 
lic schools at .\nn .\rbor. His education being 
completed and his text-books laid aside, he se- 
cured employment in the Cornwell Ilrothers pa- 
]ier mills at Foster Station, where he remained 
for ten years. On the expiration of that period 
lie came to Chelsea, where he embarked in busi- 
ness as a dealer in meats and groceries, hoots and 
shoes. He continued in this line until 1895, when 
lie sold out and bought a fine farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres adjoining the corporation limits 
of the village, but continued to make his home 
within the boundary lines of Chelsea. After pur- 
chasing this property Mr. Snyder began raising 
onions and beans, and to these crops has since 
given his attention. In the year 11)05 ''"' '"''id forty 
acres planted to onions and twenty-five acres to 
beans. He is also engaged in the commission bus- 
iness, in hu\ing and storing onions, and has a 
warehouse with a cajiacity of twenty-five thou- 
sand bushels of onions. He employs from ten to 
twenty-five people in this i)lace during the season, 
and spends thirtv-five hundred dollars annually 
in wages alone. Pie has found this a profitable 
source of income, and his business is now exten- 
sively and successfully conducted. 

In 1878 Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to 
Miss Libbie ^^'arren. a daughter of George War- 
ren, and a representative of one of the old fanii- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



355 



lies of Washtenaw county, her people havin^ 
come from Oneida county. New York, to Michi- 
gan in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder ha\'c five 
children, .\ddie, Clara, Mary, Burt and Ray- 
mond. Air. Snyder has erected a fine residence in 
Chelsea at a cost of four thousand dollars, and 
upon this place are larLje barns, sheds and other 
equi))ments. In politics he is a stalwart republi- 
can, and fraternally is connected with the Knights 
of Pvthias and the Knights of the Maccabees. In 
his business he is enterprising and progressive 
and has based his actions u]X)n business principles 
whicli neither seek nor require disguise. 



JOHN AT. N.\YLOR. 



John M. Naylor, a cai^italist of .\nn Arbor, 
whose important and extensive investments claim 
the greater part of his attention in their supervis- 
ion, was born in Salem township. Washtenaw 
county, on the 25th of December, 1863. His 
father, George Naylor, was a native of the state 
of New York, and came to W'ashtenaw county 
about 1838, when only three years old. He mar- 
ried Jerusha Minock. a native of ^Michigan, who 
is now living in Northville. Wayne county, this 
state. The father lived with a daughter in North- 
ville for three vears prior to his demise, passing 
awav Februarv 3, 1900. In their family were the 
following named: John M. ; Airs. Efiie Simpson, 
who is now living in Mecosta county. Iowa ; Le- 
roy, a farmer, residing in Wayne county, Aiichi- 
gan ; and Mrs. Nora Vennetta. of Northville, this 
county. 

John AI. Naylor acquired his early education 
in the Stafford schoolhouse in Superior township, 
and he afterward attended school in Northville. 
T^ater he spent some time on a farm, devoting his 
energies to agricultural pursuits with constantly 
growing success, and in 1896 he came to Ann 
.Arbor, where he has since made his home. He 
is now interested in a large clothing house in Chi- 
cago and he has extensive realtv holdings in 
"Rochester, New York, in Washtenaw county and 
elsewhere, including his beautiful residence at No. 
120 West Ann street. 



In 1893 Mr. Naylor was married to Loretta 
Knight, of Rochester, New York, whose father, 
Michael Knight, is proprietor of a large hotel in 
Rochester, where both he and his wife, Mrs. Eliza 
Knight, are still living. There were nine chil- 
dren in the Knight family, while Air. and Mrs. 
Xavlor Iiave three interesting sons, John Earl, 
Joseph George and Francis Cecil, aged respect- 
iveh' eleven, eight and seven years, and now stu- 
dents in the public schools of Ann Arbor. The 
famih' are commimicants of the Catholic church, 
and in his political affiliation Mr. Naylor is a dem- 
ocrat. He served as supervisor of Ann Arbor in 
1900. but has never been an aspirant for public 
office, content to do his duty to the city as a pri- 
vate citizen. He is, however, public spirited in 
an eminent degree and his co-operation has been 
a potent factor in general progress here. He is 
a man of sound business judgment, keen discern- 
ment and sagacity and has the determined force 
and enterprise which enables him to reach the ob- 
jecti\'e point in a business deal. 



JUNIUS EAIERY BEAL. 

Hon. Junius Emery Beal, member of the state 
legislature from the first district of Washtenaw 
county, whose life has been a factor in the mate- 
rial progress and political interests of Michigan 
for two decades, stands today as a typical repre- 
sentative of the spirit of the times, closely in 
touch witli the world's progress, possessing an in- 
tellectual force that enables him to understand 
existing conditions, to correctly value possibilities 
and utilize opportunities, not only in the field of 
commerce and finance but also in political matters, 
where the general interests of society are aflfected. 
He was born in Port Huron, Alichigan, February 
23, i860, a son of James E. Field, but his mother 
died in his infancy and at the age of eleven 
months he was adopted by his uncle and aunt. 
Rice .A. and Phebe (Beers) Beal. The ancestors 
of the Beal and Field families both came to New 
England in 1637 and Junius E. Beal is descended 
from the famous astronomer of Queen Elizabeth's 
time. Sir John Field. 



356 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Junius l'^. Heal resided in Dexter, JMiehigan, 
until 1866, since wliieli time he has made his 
home in Ann Arbor. His early education was 
supplemented by study in the .\nn Arbor high 
school and in the Michigxin I'niversity, from 
which he was graduated as a member of the lit- 
erary class of 1882. His periods of vacation were 
spent in his father's ])rinting office, working at 
the case and on the press and thus becoming fa- 
miliar with the mechanical part of the business. 
He has since been comiected to a greater or less 
extent with journalism and the publishing busi- 
ness. Following his graduation he became editor 
of the Ann .\rbor Weekly Courier and Daily 
Times and upon the death of Rice A. Beal in 
1883 he took up his work and became interested 
in book as well as newspaper ])ublication, being 
thus associated with the "art ]M-eservative" for 
twenty vears, when he sold out. He was the pub- 
lisher of Dr. Chase's Recipe Book, which had a 
circulation of a million and a quarter copies, and 
other large orders were also executed in his es- 
tablishment. Under his guidance the business 
rapidly developed along substantial lines and yet 
the extent of this business did not deter him from 
entering other fields of activity. He is now a 
member of the lx)ard of directors of the Farmers 
& Mechanics liank of .\nn .\rbor; a director of 
the Detroit Fire & Marine Insurance Company: 
director of the Peninsular Paper Company and 
for twelve years manager, secretary and treasurer 
of the .\nn .\rbor Electric Ligfht Company, but 
he has now disposed of his holdings in the last 
named. He was one of the prime movers in 
building the suburban road between Ann .Vrbor 
and Ypsilanti in 1890 and was president of the 
company. This was the beginning of the now 
big electric road running between .Knn .\rbor, 
Detroit and Jackson. .\t first a small steam 
dummy was used but later electric power was 
adopted. 

.\side from business affairs .Mr. I'.eal's life has 
been characterized by activity, as he has been 
identified with movements and events relative to 
the promotion and cnnservation of the material, 
social, intellectual and moral progress of the city. 
He is president of the Wesleyan Guild and of the 
board of trustees of the First Methodist Episco- 



pal church of .Vnn Arbor: is treasurer of the 
Beta Theta Pi fraternity of Michigan; president 
of the High School Alumni .\ssociation : and for 
twenty-one years a member of the school board of 
the city. He is likewise a trustee of the Ann Ar- 
bor Golf Club and was president of the .Michig'an 
Press .\ssociation in 1893. 

His political service has also broadened his 
n.'])utati(in, for in republican circles he exercises 
induencc and has been a forceful factor in shap- 
ing the ])olicy of the party and winning its suc- 
cesses. He was presidential elector in 1888; 
president of the Michigan League of Republican 
Clubs in i88<)-t)0, and on the 8tli of November, 
1904, he was elected to the state legislature by a 
good majority over two opponents. He was ap- 
pointed to the most important cotiimittee, that of 
ways and means, which passed upon all the state 
expenditures. To illustrate the work the com- 
)nittee had to do. the budget contained expense 
accounts to the sum of eleven million dollars, but 
after hearing all of the boards of the state institu- 
tions and the state officials, this was cut down to 
eight and a half million dollars by the committee. 
.Mr, IVal did other important ser\nce while a 
meml)er of the legislature. He introduced and 
secured the passage of two important bills, one to 
correct many abuses of the pharmacy law regard- 
ing the sales of poisons and liquors and another 
in behalf of the millers legalizing warehouse re- 
ceipts, lie was likewise instumental in securing 
a new charter for Ann .\rlx)r, establishing the 
park board. Close and discriminating study of 
the issues of the da}- has qualified him for leader- 
ship together with a well balanced judgment that 
enables him. while working toward ideals, to util- 
ize in practical manner the forces at hand. 

.\lr. Beal's fraternal relations are with the fol- 
lowers of the craft. He is a member of Frater- 
nity lodge. No. 262, .\. F. & -\. yi.: Washtenaw 
chapter. No. 6, R. A. M.: .\.nn .\rbor command- 
ery. No. 13, K. T. : Michigan consistory, S. P. R. 
.'-^. of Detroit: and Moslem Temple of the ^fystic 
Shrine. 

-Mr. Ileal was married on Thanksgiving day 
of 18S9 to Miss Ella Travis, of Cooper, Kalama- 
zoo county. .Michigan, a daughter of Daniel D. 
Travis, of that town, now deceased. Her mother 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



357 



now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Beal and 
the otlier members of the household are their 
two chiUh-en : Travis, born September 3, 1894; 
and Loretta, born April 16, 1897. 

Mr. Beal has for years been gathering a library 
and todav has a valuable collection of the best 
works in literature and many volumes on early 
Michig-an history. In 1889 he spent about eight 
months abroad and covered over two thousand 
miles on a bicycle in foreign countries. He has 
been and is distinctively a man of affairs and has 
wielded a wide influence. The interests which 
have made claim upon his time and attention have 
been varied, for anything which tends to the bet- 
terment of conditions for mankind, for the stimu- 
lus of material progres.s or the iiuprovement of 
his city, receives his endorsement and assistance. 
The virile strength of the west and the dominant 
spirit of enterprise, so characteristic of this sec- 
tion of the countr\'. find exemplification in his 
career. 



WALLACE W. BLLSS. 

Wallace W. Bliss, deceased, who for many 
years was engaged in the cigar and tobacco busi- 
ness in .\nn .A.rbor and belonged to one of the 
pioneer families of the city, was born here, his 
parents being Dr. Daniel W. and Lucia (Scoville) 
Bliss, both of whom were natives of the Empire 
state. Removing westward at an early day. they 
settled in .\nn Arbor when there were onh' a 
few houses in this city. His brother. Calvin, came 
with him and thus the family became well known 
in Washtenaw count\' in jjioneer times. The fa- 
ther had some knowledge of medicine and prac- 
ticed to some extent after locating here, lint later 
entered into ]5artnership with his brother Calvin 
in the ownership and conduct of a general mer- 
cantile store on ^lain street. They continued in 
business together for several years, at the end 
of which time Daniel W. Bliss formed a jjartner- 
ship with his brother-in-law. Munson Wheeler, 
and engaged in the bakery business for a few- 
years. On the exjMration of that period Daniel 
W. Bliss gave up all active business interests and 



lived retired until his death, both he and his wife 
passing away in Ann Arbor. 

Wallace W. Bliss acquired a public-school edu- 
cation in .\nn .-Vrbor, and afterward learned the 
jeweler's trade under the direction of his uncle, 
who was then engaged in that business here. 
Later he established a similar business on his own 
account with a small stock, but after a brief period 
he turned his attention to the cigar and tobacco 
trade, in which he continued for many years. He 
was thus engaged when the Civil war was inaugu- 
rated, and in 1862 he enlisted as a drummer boy 
of Companv D. Twentieth .Michigan Lifantry, 
with which he remained until discharged at .\lex- 
andria, X'irginia, in 1S63. He then returned to 
.\nn .\rb(]r, where he again began dealing in 
cigars and tnbacc'>, his store being located on 
Main street. He did a large business and con- 
tinued in that line until his later years, when 
he sold out and lived retired. He w^as well known 
in business circles in Ann Arbor and was ac- 
corded a liberal patronage, his sales reaching a 
large annual figure. 

Mr. Bliss was married in Iowa to ]\Iiss Mary 
Conn, a native of Canada, and a daughter of John 
Conn, who was a stone mason and builder by 
trade, and resided in Canada for several years, 
after which he removed to Keokuk, Towa, where 
he worked at his trade until the time of his death. 
Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bliss. 
of whom three are living. Ceorge E., wdio mar- 
ried Jessie Nelson and resides with his mother, is 
train baggageman for the Michigan Central Rail- 
road, anfl has a regular run lietween Detroit and 
Chicago. He has been in the employ of that com- 
])anv for many years. Mamie Gertrude is the wife 
of Adelbert C. Merriman, and they reside in Ken- 
ton, Ohio, where he is engaged in business with 
his father, a real estate dealer, and the wealthiest 
man of the town. Ida Louise is the wife of Dorr 
I. Gasser and resides in Paulding. Obi", where he 
is superintendent of the gas works. Those de- 
ceased are: Edgar Herbert, who died in i860 
at the age of three months : and Clarence D.. who 
died in 1871, at the age of five years. 

Mr. Bliss departed this life March 12. 1894. He 
was a \er\- stanch advocate of republican princi- 
ples, and took an active interest in the work of 



358 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the party, keeping well informed on the questions 
and issues of the day. He was a member of the 
Grand Army Post at Ann Arbor, and attended the 
Congregational church, as do his wife and chil- 
dren. His business life was characterized by that 
steady jirogress which ultimately reaches the ob- 
jective point. He was painstaking in his man- 
agement, exercised due care in his purchases and 
sales, and won success by his persevering and 
honorable efforts. Mr. Bliss owns a fine large 
residence at No. 310 South William street, where 
.she is living with her son and his wife. 



DANIEL L. OLTRK, Jr. 

Daniel L. Quirk, jr.. who since i8g8 has been 
cashier of the First National Bank of Ypsilanti, 
an institution which has had an unparallelled rec- 
ord for its conservatism, its reliability and its 
steady progress, was born in this city on the 26th 
of February, 1871. and is a son of Daniel L. 
Quirk, Sr.. the veneralile and honored president 
of the bank, whose name is inseparably interwoven 
with the history of Michigan, with the develop- 
ment of its railroatl interests and with the great 
packing industries of the countrv as well. Fur- 
ther mention of him is made on another page of 
this work. 

Having mastered the branches taught in the 
public schools. Daniel L. Quirk, Jr.. became a 
student in the literary department of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, from which he was graduated 
with the class of 1893, while in 1894 he took one 
year in the law course. He has since been asso- 
ciated with his father to a greater or less extent 
in the management of the First National Bank as 
its cashier. He has dis]ila\-ed many of the strong 
and sterling traits manifested by his father and 
bids fair to become his worthv successor in the 
extent and importance of his business operations. 
For five years he has been the secretary and gen- 
eral manager of the Peninsular Paper Company, 
one of the strongest productive industries of this 
part of the state. Other enterprises and Inisiness 
concerns have felt the stimulus of his energy and 
active co-operation and have benefited h\ his 



sound judgment and wise coiuisel. He was also 
the builder cif the Quirk lllcick, the finest office 
building in N'psilanti. which was completed in 
l'>bruar\-, 1904. It is a two story structure, mod- 
ern in every particular, lighted b\- electricity and 
heated by steam. 

In 1901 Mr. Quirk was united in niarria.ge in 
Detroit, Michigan, to Miss Julia A. Trowbridge, 
a daughter of Ceneral L. S. Trowbridge, of that 
city, and the\' now have two interesting children, 
Daniel Trowbridge and .\lexander Buell, both of 
whom were born in Ypsilanti. 

While the e.xtent of his business interests alone 
would entitle Mr. Quirk to distinction as a repre- 
sentative citizen of Washtenaw count\- he has 
moreover been an active and helpful factor in offi- 
cial life here and in 1904 was chosen to represent 
the iirst ward in the city council to fill a vacancy 
occasioned by the death of (ieorge Palmer. In 
May, 1905, he was re-elected to that affice on the 
democratic ticket and is now serving on the board 
of aldermen. He is naturally a close observer, 
reasons from what he sees, and the soundness of 
his views backed 1)y his intellectual vigor and 
strong personalit\- have brought him into promi- 
nence in both local and political circles, and as a 
leader in public affairs outside of office as well as 
in business life. His varied interests indicate a 
mental alertness and he has gained a liberal 
breadth of mind and ease <if self-possession which 
mark a man of wi<le acquaintance and varied ex- 
perience. 



EARL WARE. 



Earl Ware, a carrier in the mail service at Ann 
.\rlior, and a man of considerable local influence 
in the ranks of the republican party in this city, 
was born in Rochester. New York. January 26. 
1854. His father, Murrine \\'are. was also a na- 
tive of Nev\- York, where lie engaged in business 
as a shoe merchant. About 1868 he left the Em- 
pire state and came with his family to Michigan, 
settling at Pine Run. His wife bore the maiden 
name of JMary Eliza Yout. and both have passed 
awav. the death of ^Ir. A\'are occurring in .\u- 




DANIEL L. QUIRK, ]u. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



361 



gust, 1892, while his wife died in 1864. His po- 
litical allegiance was given to the republican party 
and he kept well informed on the questions and 
issues of the da_v. In the family were eight chil- 
dren, six of whom survive, including Earl Ware, 
who is the oldest. The others are : Mrs. Mary 
Teller, Mrs. Martha Leonard and Mrs. Elizabeth 
Thompson, all of whom are living in the state of 
New "^"ork ; \'iola, the wife of E. S. Perry, of 
Ann Arbor: and Morris, who resides at Hope, 
Michigan. 

Earl Ware spent the first fourteen years of his 
life in the place of his nativity and acquired his 
early education in the schools of Rochester, con- 
tinuing his studies, however, in Pine Run after 
the removal of the family to Michigan. When he 
had put aside his text-books he engaged in the 
shingle business at Pine Run, and afterward at 
various places in Alichigan, continuing in that 
line of business activity for five years, the splen- 
did forests of the state offering excellent oppor- 
tunities to the lumberman. When he severed his 
connection with that trade he accepted a position 
in charge of the Michigan Central Railroad yards, 
acting in that capacity for ten years. He came to 
Ann Arbor in 1880. and his present position is 
that of carrier in connection with the Ann Arbor 
postoffice. He is very active in public affairs of 
the city and has accomplished effective and bene- 
ficial service for his home ward, the fifth, which 
he represented on the city council as alderman for 
six years, from 1886 until 1892. There he sup- 
ported each measure that he believed would con- 
tribute to the general good, and was active in in- 
stituting constructive measures which have been 
beneficial in their efi^ect. 

In 1880 Mr. Ware was united in marriage to 
Miss Mina Bodiiie. of Flint, Michigan, and they 
have two children, Mildred L. and Thornton, 
aged twenty-three and eight years respectfullv. 
The daughter is a graduate of the Ann Xrbor 
high school, and is a trained nurse, but is now in 
California with her mother for her health. The 
family have an attractive home at No. 1305 
Broadway, and the good cheer and hospitality 
which there abound make it a favorite resort of 
their many friends. Mr. Ware assisted in found- 
ing and building the beautiful North Side Union 



church in his ward. He is intensely patriotic and 
public spirited in all that he does for the city, and 
is well known here by reason of his excellent serv- 
ice and his genuine personal worth, which has 
endeared him to many with whom he has been 
brou"ht in contact. 



WILLIAM MERRITT OSBAND. 

\\'illiam Merritt Osband, who since 1887 has 
been interested in The Ypsilantian and since 1893 
has been sole owner and editor, was born in New- 
ark, Wayne county, Xew York. June 25, 1836. 
His father, Wilson Osband, was for manv \ears 
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
married Susanna Sherman, who was of New Eng- 
land descent. The ancestry of the Osband familv 
can be traced back to Weaver Osband, an officer of 
the Revolutionary war. In the maternal line Mr. 
Osband is descended from two prominent fami- 
lies, the Shermans and the Lawtons. conspicuous 
among the Rhode Island tro(^ps in the Revolution- 
ary war. The ancestral line of the Sherman fam- 
ily has been traced back to Suffolk, England, 
where representatives of the name were prominent 
and influential and their coat of arms shows that 
they won renown in the crusades. 

William Merritt Osband was reared on a farm 
and was a student in the district schools of Arca- 
dia. Wayne county, Xew York, and afterward a 
public-school student in Newark, that state. His 
more advanced educational work was done in C,en- 
esee College, now ."Syracuse University, in which 
he completed the classical cour.se and was gradu- 
ated with the degree of P.achelor of Arts on the 
25th of June, 1 86 1. He then entered upon an era 
of educational work, which won him more than 
local renown as an instructor. In .\ugust fol- 
lowing his graduation he became professor of 
matiiematics and natural science in Gouverneur 
Wesleyan Seminary, at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence 
county. New York, and in 1864 he was tendered 
and accepted the professorship of mathematics 
in .Alberta University at P>ellville, Ontario. In 
1865, desiring to settle in the west, he came to 
Michigan and organized the graded schools at 



362 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Northville, suliscqucnl tu which tiiiK- he scttk'd in 
Ypsilanti in the autumn of 1867, but returned to 
Northville in 1868. He had charge of the schools 
of Chelsea in 1870-1 and in the autunni of the lat- 
ter year was elected principal of the preparatory 
department and associate professor of chemistry 
of Olivet College. In 1872 he was chosen pro- 
fessor of natural science in Albion College, where 
he remained until February, 1878, when through 
the failure of his health he was obliged to give 
up his educational wcirk and return to Ypsilanti. 
His ability to impart clearly, readily and concisely 
to others the knowledge that he had acquired, his 
personal interest in his pupils and his effective 
and earnest efforts for their advancement won 
him wide reputation and made his labors most 
efifective in the promotion of educational progress 
in Michigan. 

Partially recovering his health Mr. Osband en- 
gaged to travel for the Globe Furniture Company 
of Northville, of which he was a director and con- 
tinued to represent that house until iS86. In De- 
cember, 1887, he purchased the interest of Perrv 
F. Powers in The Ypsilantian and in 1893 became 
the sole owner of the ]iaper by purchasing the in- 
terest of George C. Smithe. since which time he 
has been editor and proprietor. This paper is an 
excellent representative of the journalism of i\Iich- 
igan and is accorded a liberal patronage, so that 
the circulation is large, making the paper as well 
an excellent advertising medium. Mr. Osband 
put forth his first political efforts in the Fremont 
campaign and has held his connection steadily 
with the republican party since 1854. He has 
never desired office as a reward for party fealty 
and yet has labored earnestly and effectively for 
the welfare of the republican organization and the 
principles which it promulgates. He twice served 
as chairman of the republican committee of Wash- 
tenaw county. His interest in the cause of edu- 
cation has been continuous and his efforts in its 
behalf have been effective and far-reaching. He 
was for six years a member of the board of edu- 
cation in Ypsilanti and for many years was a mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He became a member of this 
organization in 1854 and in 1892 he was active 
in the erection of the new house of worship in 



Ylisilanli. His labors and influence have ever 
been on the side of public improvement and sub- 
stantial and permanent progress and he assisted 
materially in securing Prospect Park for the city 
and of other movements that have been of direct 
benefit to Ypsilanti. 

On the 7th of August, 1861, Mr. Osband was 
married to Miss Lucy Aldrich in Newark, Wayne 
county, New York, who was one of his college 
classmates and afterward taught in the same 
schools. Following their return to Ypsilanti in 
1878 Mrs. Osband was for twelve years head of 
the natural science department of the State Nor- 
mal School of this city. They have one daughter, 
Marna Ruth Osband. Many men who have at- 
tained distinguished and honorable positions in 
the various walks of life and who in their earlier 
years were pupils of Professor Osband unite in 
Iiearing testimony of his high moral worth and 
the stimulus which he gave to the efforts of his 
pupils not only toward the acquirement of broad 
and thorough education but also the develop- 
ment of high and honorable character. 

The following is a just tribute paid to him by 
J. C. Camburn, of Chicago, "I knew Professor 
Osband when he was professor of natural science 
at Albion. He made each of his students feel that 
he was his personal friend, ready to do him a 
favor. In his teaching his expert knowledge of 
all the details of the subject made the students 
wish to have a like knowledge and were willing- 
to spen<l the time and labor necessary. He saw 
that dullness meant darkness, and that light was 
needed for sight. He made the successive steps 
of scientific reasoning clear and showed how one 
rested on the other. His plan of training in the 
mental athletics of school life followed the trails 
of the great men who have lifted the curtain from 
nature's stage. He felt that the student must walk 
in the footprints of the discoverer, and that in both 
the student and the discoverer, the same motive 
power — the imagination — ^must outline the form 
of hidden things, imveil the mysten- and locate 
the gold of knowledge by the certainty of how 
and why it was there. He made study like an at- 
tractive excursion, in which the getting of knowl- 
edge was changed from duty to pleasure. The 
study of science under his leadership was like a 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



363 



voyage, in which the captain of the ship taui;"ht 
the student crew to sail the craft across the sea of 
oriijinal investigation to the lands of discovery and 
invention. The captain's example made many of 
the crew wish to be captains. The majority of 
students under his care were so liberal of the time 
and attention given to the work in his department 
that he was often accused by other professors of 
taking more of the students" time than belonged 
to him. His interest in the individual work of 
the students made demands on his time and atten- 
tion that were too great for his physical strength. 
The natural result was a breakdown, which ter- 
minated his teaching work. It was a source of 
great regret among all his students that his illness 
compelled him to cease work and devote himself 
to the payment of his overdraft on nature and se- 
lect a calling that was not so great a tax on his 
generositv." 



GEORGE W. WEEKS. 

George W. Weeks, for a quarter of a century 
a resident of Ann Arbor, where he is now con- 
ducting a profitable coal and wood business, is 
numbered among Michigan's native sons, and the 
fact that many of her native born people have re- 
tained their residence here from childhood to the 
present time, is an indication of the excellent ad- 
vantages which she offers to those who remain 
within her borders. George Weeks was born 
in Monroe county, December 6. 1834, his parents 
being Elijah and Elizabeth (Kirkland") Weeks, 
both of whom were natives of the Empire state. 
The father, however, came to Michigan when 
thirteen years of age, and took up his abode in 
Monroe county, where he eventually began farm- 
ing on his own account, and for a number of 
years was classed with the prosperous agricul- 
turists of that locality. He is still living at Sa- 
maria, ]\Ionroe county, Michigan. The following 
is a record of the eight children born unto him 
and his wife: Samuel M., deceased; George W., 
of this review ; Mrs. Gertrude Dodge, who died 
December 3, 1905, at her home in Hamilton, 
Ohio; Mrs. Cora Hartz, of Wolcottsville, Indi- 



ana; riioeljc, the wife of J- jM- Borough, of 
Marshall. Michigan; Blanche, the wife of E. 
Hubbard, of Monroe county ; Hattie, who is 
living in Kalamazoo, this state ; and Issie, wife of 
Ira Osborn, of Samaria, Monroe county, Michi- 
gan. 

George \\". Weeks spent his early school life 
in the county of his nativity, and was a young 
man, when, in IMarch, 1881, he established his 
home in Ann Arbor, where he has since remained. 
He located at No. 1540 Broadway, where he has 
a place of twelve acres, and is now extensively 
and profitably engaged in market gardening. The 
products of his place, always of excellent size and 
flavor, and moreover, having the advantage of 
freshness, being sent direct from the producer 
to the consumer, find a very ready market, many 
of his patrons having given him their business 
support through a long period. He also has other 
business intere.sts, now conducting a large coal 
and wood yard at the corner of J^Iadison and 
Fifth avenue. 

Mr. Weeks was married on New Year's day 
of 1879 to Miss Lucy S. Harnden, of Samaria, 
Michigan. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and 
is a daughter of Enos H. and Lucy (Jones) 
Harnden. both of whom were natives of the Em- 
pire state, the father having been born in Port 
Byron, New York, while the mother's birth oc- 
cm-red in Watertown. Mr. Harnden became a 
millwright by trade, and on removing to the west 
he took up government land in Allegan county. 
Michigan, after which he removed to Dundee, 
Monroe county, this state. Subsequently he 
went to Samaria, where he died in 1890, and his 
wife passed away in 1895. In their family were 
three children : Mrs. Weeks ; Enos S.. who is a 
traveling man, making his home in Washington, 
D. C. ; and Walter W., who is a seed man of 
Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Weeks is a lady of 
superior culture and innate refinement, and has 
gained broad literary knowledge through exten- 
sive reading. Prior to her marriage, she was a 
capable teacher. Three children have been born 
to this union: Walter S., who is now teaching 
in the Military Institute of Germantown, Ohio ; 
George W., wno was married June 7, 1905, to 
Miss A. Zoe Be Gole, of Chelsea, Michigan, and 



3<J4 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



is clerking in Ann Arbor; and Carl II., who is a 
stndrnt living at home. 

The family have a very attractive residence 
which is situated just on the outskirts of Ann 
.Arbor, but w illiin the corporation limits. It stands 
on a hill o\ erlooking the valley in which Ann 
Arbor lies and commands a beautiful view of the 
cil\' and surrouniliug country. Mr. Weeks and 
his family are members of the Christian church, 
and in politics he is a democrat, who is now serv- 
ing as su])ervisor of the fifth ward. During ;i 
long residence in this city he has so lived as to 
command the respect and esteem of his fellow- 
low usmen. his ])ersonal anil business worth be- 
inv witleU recognized. 



EDAIU.XD A. CARl'EXTER. 

Edmund .A. Carjienter, ])roprietor of a hard- 
ware store in V|)silanti, was Ixirn in .\uburn. 
New York, December 31, i8()0, and was one of 
the si.x children born unto Charles and jane \'. 
(Hicks) Carpenter. The father was a hatter and 
furrier of Auburn, conducting a business which 
was established in 1821, and is still in e.xistence. 
I'or many \ears he was an active factor in com- 
mercial circles in that city, and there he died in 
the year 1888. In his religious faith he was a 
Presbvterian, active in the work of the church, 
and was also a stalwart sup])orter of the rei)ul)- 
lican party. His wife, who was a native of Xew 
York city, died on the 23d of Afay, 11)05. ( )f 
their family of si.x children, three are yet living: 
I'ranklvn ]., a resident of llaltimore. ^[aryland. 
where he is engaged in the manufacture of fish- 
ermen's supplies: and Julia A. and lulniund .\.. 
who are living in Ypsilanti. 

Edmund A. Carpenter spent his i>arly school life 
in Auburn, and subsequently continued his stu- 
dies in Aurora. New York, and at Cayuga Lake 
.-\cademy, thus being provided with superior ad- 
vantages which well qualified him for life's prac- 
tical and responsible duties. He entered ui^on his 
1)usiness career as an employe of the firm of Dun- 
ning & Com])any, wholesale hardware merchants 
of .\iiburn an<l subse(|uently spent a nnmlier of 



_\'ears with the prominent and well known hard- 
ware house of Erastus Corning in .\lbany. ( )n 
severing his connection wnth that establishment 
he came to the west, settling at Detroit, where he 
secured a position as traveling salesman, and for 
three years represented the firm of Standard 
ISrothers upon the road. He was afterward with 
the Fletcher Hardware Company of Detroit for 
fifteen vears, and his long connection therewith 
stands in incontrovertible evidence of his capa- 
bilitv and the trust reposed in him by the house. 
( )n the i/th of October, 1904. he came to Ypsi- 
lanti, Michigan, and purchased the hardware 
store located at No. 124 Congress street, which 
for manv vears had been owned and managed 
by his brother. This is the leading hardware 
store of the cit\'. and he carries a very exten- 
sive line of shelf and general hardware, 
stoves, etc, 

Mr. Cariienter is a member of Phoenix lodge. 
.\'o. 123. A. F. & .\. M., and of the Knights of 
lAthias fraternitw and he is likewise belongs to 
the F,]iisco|)al church. He is immarried and his 
sister is acting as housekeeper for him in their' 
]ileasant home on West Congress street. They 
expect soon, however, to occupy one of the new 
ajiartments just being built opposite Cleary's 
P>usiness College on Congress street. \\'hile a 
resident of Ypsilanti for only a year, Afr. Car- 
penter has made many warm personal and busi- 
ness friends bv reason of his genial personality, 
his unfailing courtesv and his high liusiness integ- 
rit\ . A\'hen he arrived in this city he entered 
ui)on a field of business activity wdth which he 
was thoroughly familiar, and has met with grati- 
fving success in its conduct, winning the good 
will and trust of the general i)ublic by reast)n 
of his close adherence to a high standard of com- 
mercial ethics. 



LOREN P.AP.COCK. 



Poren P>abcock, who after many years of active 
connection with business interests is now living 
retired in the enjoyment of a well earned ease 
and has now passed the eighty-third milestone on 
life's iourne\-, was born in Wayne county. New 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



365 



York, Auijust 4. 1822. His parents were Moses 
and Abig:ail ( \'an Surdan ) Babcock. The father 
was a soklier of the war of 1812 and was a car- 
penter and joiner by trade. He came to AFichi- 
gan in 1833, when the state was still un- 
der territorial government and the work of 
improvement and progress had scarcely be- 
gun. He took up his aliode in Putnam, 
Livingston county, at a place now known 
as Reeves Mill, there purchasing a farm which 
his sons operated while he continued to work at 
his trade. He cut down the timber and the farm 
was cleared and placed under cultivation. The 
father was closely connected with the early de- 
velopment and progress of this part of the state 
until his death, which occurred in 1866, while his 
wife died about 1835. In their family were eleven 
children, all of whom have now passed away 
with the exception of Loren Babcock, who was 
the fifth in order of birth and upon the old home- 
stead farm the subject of this review was reared, 
early becoming familiar with the duties and la- 
bors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He 
continued to assist his father in the cultivation of 
the home place until his marriage, which was 
celebrated on the ist of Januar\-. 1845. Miss Eliz- 
abeth Green becoming his wife. They traveled 
life's jdurney together for about fifteen years, 
when, in i860, Mrs. Babcock was called to her 
final rest. Tn 1862 he wedded Miss Kate Oxtobv. 
By his first marriage he had four children, all 
of whom died in childhood with the exception of 
Colin E. Babcock. of Grass Lake, Michigan, 
where he conducts a branch store for W. P. 
.'-ichank. and is a partner in the enterprise. 

Following his marriage Mr. Babcock took up 
his abode in Chelsea and became a factor in the 
commercial life of the village as a dealer in drv 
goods and general merchandise. His labors in 
this direction were attended with a gratifying 
measure of success and he was awarded a liberal 
I^atronage. He also engaged in buying wheat 
and wool for thirty years, from 1861 until 1891, 
during which period business was conducted first 
under the firm style of Babcock & Company, and 
after under the firm name of Babcock & Gilbert, 
his partner being James Gilbert. In 1891 Mr. 
Babcock sold out and is now living retired but is 
21 



still the owner of a farm of eighty acres on Cav- 
anaugh Lake, which is devoted to horticultural 
pursuits, being largely planted to pears, peaches 
and apples. He also has property in Chelsea, in- 
cluding stores and residences and these bring to 
him a good rental. 

Since the organization of the republican party 
]\lr. Baljcock has been one of its advocates and 
stanch supporters. Previously he was a whig 
and democrat at different times. For a half cen- 
turv he has been a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church and his life has ever been honorable 
and upright. He is a man of enterprise, positive 
character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and 
liberal views and has been fully identified with 
the growth and prosperity of Chelsea. He has 
now advanced far on life's journey and his record 
is exemplary in many respects so that he has 
gained the esteem of his friends and confidence of 
those who have had business relations with him. 



WILLIAM W. TUTTLE. 

William W. Tuttle, representing the commercial 
interests of .\nn .Arbor as proprietor of a restau- 
rant and confectionery store at No. 338 South 
State street, was born at Blue Point, Long Island, 
on the 3d of February, 1833. His father was 
Joshua Tuttle. also a native of Blue Point, and 
a farmer by occupation. He married Joanna Hud- 
son, and in the year 1837 they became residents: 
of Michigan, the father's death occurring in Jack- 
son county in 1854. while the mother passed awav 
in 1840. He had been married previouslv. The 
children of his first wife were Mrs. .\verv. Hum- 
phrey .\.. Josiah, Joshua B. and Susan, all now 
fleceased with the exception of the first named. 
The children of the second marriage are : William 
^^^. of .Ann .\rbor: Daniel R., who is living in 
Perry, Micliigati, and Charles C who resides in 
Shaftsburg. this state. 

William \^^ Tuttle. spending his boyhood an<I 
youth in Jackson county, attended the public 
schools and afterward entered Ypsilanti Xormal 
.School, from which he was graduated. Later 
he devoted his time and energies to teaching for 



366 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



a number of terms and then condnctcil a general 
store at Norwell, Alicliis^an. wliere lie also acted 
as postmaster for fourteen years. He had a g'ood 
trade at that place but seekins^; a broader field of 
labor came to Ann Aibur in iSSo, and for eight 
years was upon the road as a travelins;- salesman 
in the ladies' furnishing- line of trade. He has 
since been jjroprietor of a restaurant and confec- 
tionery store and is now dointr a j^ood business 
at No. 338 South State street. Realizinc^ that 
labor is the basis of all success and that close ap- 
plication and unremittint;- diligence are concomi- 
tants of every record of ])ros])erity Mr. Tuttle 
has directed his ePforts along sucli lines and is 
now meeting with the just reward of his persist- 
ent purpose and indefatigalilc energy. 

In 1865 Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage to 
I\Jiss J\Iar\- ,\. Moon. n\ Xapoleon, Michigan. 
and died in 1893. They had two sons: Charles 
S., who is married and is now living in Chicago, 
where he is engaged in the real estate business, 
and ^^ictor E.. who died in 1905. In his social 
relations Mr. Tuttle is a Mason. He exercises his 
right of franchise in support of the men and meas- 
nres of the republican party but has never been 
an aspirant for office, although he served as ]iost- 
ma,ster at Norwell. Other than this he has held 
no position of political prefermenl. as he has rle- 
sired to give his attention to his business inter- 
ests. 



MRS. ELIZA COITSIXS r,K()(;.\\'. 

Mrs. Eliza Cousins lirogan. who is connected 
with business interests in Ann Arlmr, was bor-n 
in Barry county, Michigan, on llie ijlh of Max, 
1857. Her father, John II. Hall, a native of 
England, died during the early girlhood of his 
daughter, while the mother, Mrs. Harriet Hall, 
now resides in .\nn .\rbor with Mrs. lirogan. 

Mrs. Brogan acquired her education in the dis- 
trict schools of her native town and was carefully 
trained in the duties of the household, .so that she 
was well equipped to take care of her own home at 
the time of her marriage. In 1873 she gave her 
hand in marriage to William Cousins and they 
traveled life's jonrnev happily together for about 



seventeen years, when they were se])arated by the 
death df Mr. Cousins in i8go. There were two 
children by that marriage: John William Cousins, 
who died in childhood ; and Miss Lillian Eliza 
Cousins, who lives with her mother and assists 
her in the florist's business. In 1895 Mrs. Cousins 
was again married, her second union being with 
Thomas ]'. P.rogan. 

In the early '70s Mrs. Brogan came to Ann Ar- 
bor and in the early '80s established business as a 
florist, in which enterprise she is now associated 
with her l:)rother, John H. Hall and her daughter 
Lillian. They have a well equi])ped establishment, 
handling potted plants, shrubs and cut tlnwers, 
and their business has become quite extensive, a 
liberal patronage being accorded them by reason 
of their earnest desire to please their customers, 
their reasonable prices and honorable dealing, 
]Mrs, Brogan has thus become well known in 
business circles of .Ann Arbor and she has won the 
respect of all and the friendship of many with 
whom she has been brought in contact. 



\C(;iTST WILLIAM nOR(^W. 

.\ugust William Dorow. one of the y(jnng anil 
energetic business men of Ann .\.rbor. being the 
senior partner in the firm of Dorow & Rockol. 
l^roprietors of a large grocery and meat market 
at Xo, TOOi Broadway, was born in Cermany on 
the 21 St of November. 1879, his parents being 
William John and Bertha ( Vrook) Dorow, who 
are yet residents of this city. The father was for 
a number of years engaged in f.irming in Ann 
.\rbor township and later was associated with the 
Ann .\rbor Railroad Company as road builder, 
having come to Washtenaw county in 1882, in 
which year he crossed the .Atlantic from the 
fatherland to the new world. In his family are 
three children : Mrs. Frances Ludwig, a resident 
of .Ann .Arbor : .August \\'., of this review, and 
Louisa, also residing in .Ann .Arbor. 

.August W. Dorow was not yet three years of 
age when his [parents came to the new world and 
ch(~ise Washtenaw county as the place of their 
:ili."le. lb' is indebted to the public school sys- 




MRS. KI.IZA COL'SIXS ISROGAN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



369 



tcni for the educational privileges he enjoyed and 
througli his active business career he has been 
connected with the grocery and meat trade of 
Ann .ArlMir, having in 1904 establislied a large 
store and market, which has been conducted under 
the firm style i>f Dorow \' Rockol. at No. looi 
Mroadway. in the same building in wdiich Dean 
& Company of Ann ArJior conducted Inisiness 
fifty-seven years ago. They have a large and 
growing trade, have developed a splendid delivery 
system and are very attentive to the wishes of 
their patrons, doing all in their power to please, 
securing thereby a lilieral patronage. Mr. Dorow 
is (|uite well known in fraternal circles as a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows lodge and of the ?\[acca- 
bces tent, while his political affiliation connects 
him with the republican party and he has won 
notable success in his business career, having at- 
tained pmsperitv that nian\' a much older man 
might well env\. 



PATRICK ^IcKERNAN. 

Patrick AIcKernan, deceased, was a representa- 
tive of a pioneer family of Washtenaw count\-, 
his parents having settled here about 1830. He 
was a son of Thomas and Ann ( McDermott) 
l\rcKcrnan, both of whom were natives of Ire- 
land, whence the\- emigrated to America at an 
early day, settling in ( )range county. Xew ^'llrk. 
where the father engaged in farming until 1S30. 
Tn that year he came to Washtenaw county, .Michi- 
gan, taking up his abode in Northfield township, 
where he purchased a tract of land. gi\ing his 
attention to general agricultiu-al pursuits through- 
out his remaining da\"s. Poth he and his wife 
died upon that farm. < )f tlu-ir children iinl\- three 
are now living: James, who is engaged in farm- 
ing on the old homestead in Northfield townshio : 
Jiilin, a retired farmer living at No. 333 Xorth 
.Main street in .\nn .Xrliur; and Caniliiie, li\-ing 
with John. 

Patrick McKernan was bnrn in .Vnrtbfield 
township, January 24. 1S33, and acc|uired a good 
education, first attending the old ^W■I)ster school 
in .Viirthtield tnwnsbip. .after which he came tn the 



city (jf Ann .\rbor and attended the private school 
of General Van Cleve. He was next a student 
in the L'nion school in this city, after which he 
went to Ypsilanti, where he attended the ser-n- 
nar\-. Returning to Ann .Arbor he matriculated 
in the state university and pursued a complete 
course in the law department, from wdiich he was 
graduated in March, 1863. Between the periods 
of his student life lie engaged in teaching school 
in X'orthfield township. 

h'ollowing his graduation Mr. McKernan be- 
came a law student in different law offices of Ann 
.Arbor and after spending several years in that 
way entered upon the active practice of law in 
this city. He was accorded a liberal clientage 
that connected him with much important litigation 
tried in the courts of his district and his trial of a 
case showed a thorough understanding of legal 
principles, logical reasoning and great strength 
of argument. 

Mr. ^McKernan was united in marriage to Mrs. 
Mary T.. P.oxinier, a daughter of Bernard Slamon, 
of Ireland, who came to America and died in the 
west. She first married Dr. Leonard Boximer, 
who was a graduate of one of the leading schools 
of I'.erlin, and who after crossing the .Atlantic 
made his way to Ann .Vrhor, where he became a 
student in the medical department of the State 
University. He then engaged in practice here for 
a few years but became ill and died of heart fail- 
ure July 8, i86r, when a comparativelv young- 
man. Mr. and ^frs. Poximer had no children, 
nor were any liorn of her second marriage. 

While attending the school in Ann Arbor Mr. 
.McKernan was chosen supervisor of Northfield 
townsln'p and occupied that position for several 
years. In .\nn .Arbor be wa.s elected to the office 
of justice of the peace, in which capacitv he 
ser\e(I tor eight vears, bis decisions I)eing stricth' 
fair and impartial. For fourteen years he served 
as circuit court commissioner. His political alle- 
giance was given to the democracy and he took 
a very active and helpful part in the local work of 
the organization, alwavs serving as a delegate to 
rhe cnunt) conventions of bis partv and doing' 
overvtbing in his ])ower to promote its growth 
and insure its success. In 1807 he became ill 
and .iliandiiued his practice, after which he lived 



370 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



retired, being an invalid for tive years. He pa.ssed 
away iVugust jo. i(;()2, in the faith of the C"ath- 
ohc chnrch, of wliich he had been a tlevoted cnm- 
niunicant. His wife also belongs to the Catholie 
church of Ann Arbor. Mr. McKernan was (|uitc 
successful in his law practice and lived a very 
busy and useful life up tn the time of his illness. 
When not in his ofifice he was at home \vi irking 
in the garden or around the house. He had man\- 
friends here and during the h\e \e:irs i>f his in- 
validism some of them \\ere al\\a\s at his hrd 
side. Mrs. McKernan still rrsi<les at ilie nld hoiiir 
place, where her husband died at .Xo. 34(1 .Snulh 
Ashley street. In addition tci this she owns resi- 
dence property on both Xurth and Simtli l'"()nrlh 
avenue, which brings to her a gimd rental, .'^lu. 
usually spends the winter nionths witli her niece. 
Mrs. Laura Graves, who resides in I'arsons, 
Kansas. 

Mrs. McKernan is a niece of James (iaxaior. 
who was one of the pioneer settlers of .\nn Arbor. 
He had few business interests here, living retired, 
for he was quite wealthv. He set out the trees 
that now adorn the courthouse vard .and he gave 
the bell to the Catholic church .and .also the 
grounds for the Catholic cemeter\-. He was a 
very prominent man here at an early da\ and 
made his home in .\nn .\rbor up to the time nf 
his denn'sc. 



FRANK STAFFAN. 



l''rank- .Staffan, who is now engaged in the un- 
dertaking business and has at various limes been 
connected with other business enterprises that 
have contributed to the sidistantial improvement 
of Chelsea, was liorn in iS^^j in wliat is now the 
province of Lorraine, tjerniany, but was then 
a part of France. His parents were Frank and 
Margaret (Stel)ish) Staffan. The father came 
to America in 1847. hoping that he migiit benefit 
his financial condition in the new world with its 
broader business o])portunities, its livelier C(im- 
jietition and advancement more (piickh secm-ed. 
He had followed the Initcher's trade in his na- 
tive land and after reaching Michigan he settled 
in l.yndim tnwnshi]). Washtenaw counlw where 



lie purehasi-d a farm of eighty acres. To this he 
afterward ailded another eighty-acre tract, thus 
becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres 
on section 5. He died upiin the farm in 1875, 
and was sur\i\ed by his wife, who passed away 
at the age of eighty-four years. In the family 
wei-e three scins and three daughters, of whom 
t"our are now living. Michael, Frank, Sarah and 
Delia, while j.acol). the second in order of birth, 
and Katherine, the fourth of the family, are now 
deceased. 

I'rank .'-Ital+an l)cgan his education in the pub- 
He scliools (if his native country, and when a 
Vduth iif fifteen years was brought In his parents 
til \nierica, where he was employed as a farm 
li.ind fur Slime time, and even after his marriage 
attended an TMiglish school for two terms. In 
1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Lena 
Keusch. and subsequent to this event, turned his 
attentiiin tn c,ar]ientering, and eventualh' began 
contracting nn his own account. In iS(t2 he en- 
gaged in the undertaking business, which he fol- 
liiwed in cnnnectinn with contracting, and his 
Iniilding operations connected him with the sub- 
stantial im])rovement of his locality, evidences of 
his skill and handiwnrk being seen in some of the 
best structures of Chelsea. He built most of the 
brick store Iniildings here, and also two churches, 
but he has nnw retired frnm contracting. He was 
alsd in the ice business for a time, and he pur- 
chased a tract of land of about thirty-five acres 
in the southern part of Chelsea, of which fifteen 
acres was peat bog. This he sold, and there has 
now been erected a factory for the manufacture 
(if peal fur the market. Much of the remainder 
(if the land has been laid off in village lots and 
li.as brought Mr. .Staffan a good profit upon his 
in\'estment, 

I'nto our subject and his wife have been born 
the fullov\ing children: Edwin and I^ouis, both 
deceased ; Amelia, the wife of M. Foster, of Grass 
Lake: Margaret, now the wife of Henry Fenn, a 
druggist of Chelsea; Katie, who married Edwin 
McKune: and George, who embarked in business 
with his father in iQoo, but for the past year has 
been a resident of Detroit. 

In politics Mr. .Staffan is a democrat, and for 
several \ears served on the cit\- council, giving 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



371 



public spirited and progressive service to his town 
as the champion of many measures for reform, 
progress and improvement here. He has also 
been highway commissioner of the township and 
drainage commissioner. His success is due to the 
economy and prudence, and his career forcibly 
illustrates what may be accomplished by deter- 
mination and energy, in a land where opportunity 
is open and exertion is untrammeled. 



ISAAC L. SHERK. 



Isaac L. Sherk, although one of the more recent 
additions to business circles of Ann Arbor, has 
made for himself a creditable position as a repre- 
sentative of industrial interests here being in 
charge of the Argo mill owned by the Michigan 
Milling Company. A Canadian by birth, the place 
of his nativity was Aylmer, Ontario, and his natal 
day I'^ebrnary 2-:,, 1850. His father. Isaac Sherk, 
was a native of Sugarloaf, ( )ntario, and having 
arrived at years of maturity was married in that 
country to Miss Sarah Walker, whose birth oc- 
curred in Dorchester, Ontario, (iiven his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, he became the owner 
of a fine, extensive and well improved farm near 
Aylmer, which he supplied with modern e(|ui]J- 
ments and successfully cultivated imtil his death, 
which occurred in 1884. His wife survived him 
fur only a brief period, passing away in 1885. In 
their famil}- were five children: .Mrs. Catherine 
Dean, who is now living in P)rown City, Michi- 
gan ; Mrs. I\Iary Tilden. of Blytheswood. Canada : 
Susan, who is the widow of Hopkins Dean and 
makes her Imnie in l!n)\\n City, this state; Will- 
iam, who died in \imtli. and Isaac L.. of this 
review. 

In taking up the personal histor\' of Isaac L. 
Sherk we find that in his youth he was a student 
in tlu- public schools at Avon, ( )ntario. und that 
he left school at an early age in order to earn his 
own living. He secured employment on a farm 
at Harriettsvillc. Ontario, where he ri'mained until 
seventeen years of age. when he went to .\ylmer 
and there entered upon an apiirenticeship to the 
miller's trade. \\'lirn In- had thornnghh mastered 



the business he removed to Lapeer City, .Michigan, 
in December, 1877, spending two years as a miller 
at that place, after which he located in Flint, 
Michigan, wdiere he devoted his time and energies 
to the milling business for five years. His next 
[jlace of residence was at Milford, Michigan, 
where he lived for seven years, having charge of 
the mills there. In Fdjruary, 1894, he came to 
Ann Arbor to take charge of the Argo mill of the 
Michigan Milling Company, located on the Huron 
river, with a fine water power. The plant has 
an extensive capacity, manufacturing as high as 
three himdred barrels of flour per day. The com- 
pany owns mills in Owosso, Delhi, .\nn .\rbor and 
other places and not only manufacture a very 
high grade of flour but also handle feed, .grain, 
beans and seeds. Mr. Sherk is a miller of long 
experience and capability and is well qualified to 
discharge the honors and responsibilities that de- 
volve upon him in his present position. 

<ln the 1 2th of February, 1889, was celebrated 
the marriage of Mr. Sherk and Miss Ester Ploof. 
of Flint, Alichigan, and unto them have been born 
eight children: Charles C. who is engaged in 
the insurance business in Toledo, Ohio, and Clara, 
Florence, Frances, Ester, Rosa, W^ellman and Ed- 
ward, all in school. Mr. Sherk and his family 
attend the Methodist church and contribute to its 
snpiiort. He is a stanch republican, who keeps 
well informed on the questions and issues of the 
day and is thus enabled to support his position 
b\ intelligent argument. I^pon that ticket he was 
elected alderman from the fifth ward, although 
the ward tisually gives a democrat majority. He 
was chosen in April. 1904, and is the present in- 
cumbent in tin.' office. 



ANDREW D. JACKSON. 

Andrew D. Jackson, who is engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits in York township and was for- 
rnerh- identified with building operations in this 
|)art of the county, was born in Seneca, Ontario 
county. Xew York, July 14, 1841. a son of 
Charles and Clarissc (Owen) Jackson. The father 
came til Ynvk tiiwnshi|) in 1853 and was a farmer 



372 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



by occupatidii, nwniiiL;', occupyinj; and opcralinq- 
eighty acres of land. He died in the 'Oos, while 
his wife, who was a native of the state of Connec- 
ticut, passed away on the 27th of January, 187Q. 
Their sons were: William J.; Andrew D. ; John 
A., a mechanic of Milan : and Charles M.. who is 
living in A'irginia, Minnesota. The daugliters 
of the family are: Mrs. Marv J. Stimpson, the 
wife of Oscar Stimpson, of Saline: .\rabellc. the 
wife of James McMillan ; Alice, the deceased 
wife of Richard Canntlelt, of Detroit ; Mrs. Syl- 
via C. Pilacknier, of Salini'. now deceased: Har- 
riet A., the deceased wife of (ieorge Nason, of 
.Saginaw, .Michigan; Annie, tlu' deceased wife of 
Spencer R. Rogers, of Pittsfield, Michigan; Eliza 
J., the deceased wife of James Lcliarron, of York 
tcnvnship, \A'ashtenaw- county: and Tsalielle, now 
deceased. 

Andrew D. Jack.son was educated in the ])nhlic 
schools of York township, which he attended un- 
til eighteen years of age, when he began farming 
on his own account. Tn 7884 he entered indus- 
trial circles as a carpenter and joiner and contin- 
ued his building operations until njoo. He re- 
sumed farming in York township in 1004 and 
now devotes his energies to general agricultural 
|)ursuits, having a good tract of laud which re- 
sponds readily to the care and cultivation he be- 
stows upon it. His business career, however, was 
interrupted by his service as a soldier of the Civil 
war, for on the 30th of .\tigust. 1S62, he re- 
sponded to his countr\'s call for aid, enlisting as 
a private of Company C, Sixth .Michigan Cav- 
alry, He participated in tlu' hard fouglit engage- 
ments of Gettysburg, (.'old 1 harbor, Winchester 
and Cedar Creek and altogether was in over fifty 
cavalry engagements, being discharged with the 
rank of corporal on the 5th of December, 1863. 

On the i8tli of November, iSfx), Mr, Jackson 
was married to Miss I'Vauces .\. Richards, a 
daughter of Willi.ani ami Elizabeth Richards, of 
'S'ork township, who were nati\es of luigland. 
Mr. and .Mrs. Jackson have an a<lopted son, Frank 
1). In ii>()4 Mr. Jackson was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 12th 
of .\pril after an illness of two years, her remains 
being interred in York cemetery, where her pa- 
rents and other relatives were also buried. She 



was a loving wife and a devout Christian woman 
and her loss was deeply deplored by many friends 
as well as her immediate family. 

Mr. Jackson exercises his right of franchise 
in support of the men and measures of the repub- 
lican party and has been chosen to several offices. 
He was justice of the peace for one term, town- 
shi]) clerk for three terms and president of the 
corporation of Milan village for one term. He 
was also cotmcilnian for three terms and assessor 
for one term and the duties thus devolving upon 
him were faithfully and promptly discharged. He 
is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic and he belongs to the Baptist church, 



GEORGE L. SWEET. 

( ieorge I.. Sweet, manager of the office of the 
Western Ihiion Telegraph Company at .Ann Ar- 
bor, is a native of Indiana, his birth having oc- 
cnrreil in LatSrange county on the 25th of Oc- 
tober 1872, llis father, Hiram .\. Sweet, was 
born in Ohio and following his removal to Indi- 
ana was for nian\- years a publisher of the La- 
Grange Independent. He then went to Sturgis, 
Michigan, where continued his journalistic work 
as publisher of the Times and Journal for twelve 
years and about nineteen years ago he came to 
.Ami .\rl)or, where he has since been connected 
with newspaper work, being now with the Daily 
Times of this city. He married Miss Celia A. 
.Morse, a native of Indiana, who died in Decem- 
ber, HJ04. 

George L, .Sweet pursued his primary and 
grammar school education in Sturgis, Michigan, 
and following the removal of the family to Ann 
.\rbor continued his studies as a high school stu- 
dent rere. In 1889, when seventeen years of age, 
he entered the office of the Western Union Tele- 
graph ("omp:niy, where he became an operator 
and when he had thoroughly mastered the busi- 
ness he accepted the position of manager of the 
Postal Telegraph Company's office in this city, 
acting in that capacity for seven years. He was 
afterward assistant manager of the Athens The- 
atre ol .\nn Arbor and later he became mana£rcr 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



373 



of the office of the Postal Telegraph Company 
at Saleni, Ohio, where he continued for two years, 
hut on the expiration of that period he returned 
to this city in the fall of 1904 to accept the posi- 
tion of manager of tlie office of the Western 
Union Telegraph Company, which is his present 
business relation here. He is an expert operator 
and thereby well qualified for the duties that de- 
volve upon him in this connection. 

Mr. Sweet has membership relations with the 
Golden Rule lodge of Masons in Ann Arbor and 
in life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. 
In pf)Iitics he is a republican, keeping well in- 
fcinned on the- i|uestions and issues of the day. 
Everj- step that he has made in his business career 
has been one in advance and he is now a most cap- 
able manager and operator, and is destined to win 
still greater success in his business career, while 
in the city in which he has made his home al- 
most continuously for sixteen years he has a wide 
and favorable acf|uaintance, his fidelity to prin- 
ci])le. social nature, kindliness, geniality and 
deference for the opinions of others winning him 
warm personal regard. 



GEORGE 



MANN. 



George J. Mann. \vh(i lias been prominent in 
political circles in Washtenaw county as the cham- 
pion of the democracy, was born in the township 
of Freedom on the 23d of January. 1858. and 
represents one of the pioneer families here, his 
father. Conrad Mann, having become an early 
settler of the countv. where in the midst of the 
forest he hewed out and developed a farm. Iie- 
coniing a ])rominent. successful and influential 
agriculturist and man of affairs. He was a native 
of Germany anfl enjoyed the highest regard of the 
German-American citizens of this part of the state. 
He married Christina Reims and tlu\ had ihrer 
children, the eldest being G. C. Mann, who is now 
living on the old homestead farm which originally 
comprised one htnulred and tbirtv-eight acres, but 
which at the i>resent time covers an extensive tract 
of land of three himdred and four acres. Tt is 
equipped with fine farm buildings, also a saw 



mill and threshing machine, and it was the .Viann 
family who had the first steam thresher in the 
county. The daughter, Margaret, is the wife of 
C. Rcntshler, a resident farmer of Lodi township, 
Washtenaw county ; while George J. Mann is the 
youngest of the family. The father departed this 
life in 1879, having for several years sundved his 
wife, who died in December, 1868. 

George J. Mann acquired his early education in 
the district schools and for three years was a stu- 
dent in the Union school at Saline, this county, 
and for two years in Parsons Commercial College 
at Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was reared to the 
occupation of farming, early becoming familiar 
with the best methods of caring for the fields by 
the assistance which he rendered to his father in 
his boyhood days. When twenty-one years of age 
he began farming on his own account and fol- 
lowed that pursuit until 1904, when he ]nit aside 
the active work of the fields and established his 
present business as a member of the firm of Mann 
& Zebe. dealers in agricultural implements at No. 
210 .South Ashley street, Ann Arbor. They also 
carr\' the ATilburn wagon an<l conduct (|uite an 
extensive business as dealers in hay and grain. 
They have secured a liberal and constantly grow- 
ing patronage that renders their enterprise a grati- 
fying source of income and in connection with 
his mercantile interests Mr. Mann is identified 
with business aiTairs of this city as a stockholder 
in the new German American Bank. 

He has figured quite ])rominently in local po- 
litical circles, being elected in the spring of 1S79, 
when but twenty-one years of age. to the office of 
township treasurer as the candidate of the demo- 
cratic party. .\t the end of that year he removed 
from the township and purchased a farm in Lodi 
township, wliere he was afterward elected town- 
ship treasurer and also justice of the peace, acting 
in the latter capacity for thirteen consecutive 
years, his "even handed justice" . . . "win- 
m'ng him golden opinions from all sorts of peo- 
|ile." .Still higher jiolilical honors awaitefl him. 
for in the fall of 1898 he was elected countv treas- 
urer and after filling the position for two years 
he was re-elected for a second term, retiring from 
the office in 1902 as he had entered it, with the 
confidence and good will of the general public. 



374 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



In the spring: of 1899 he removed to Ann Arbor 
in order to administer the (hities of the position 
and has since made his home in this city. 

^Ir. .Mann was married in 1882 to Miss R. 
Walker, of Lodi township, a daughter of Fred- 
erick Walker, whose farm he purchased. He was 
quite successful as an agriculturist and in his 
present line of business is meeting with gratifying 
prosperity. Aloreover, his official career has been 
such as commands the respect of people of all 
parties, for over the record of his public life there 
falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. 



AEICHAEL FINKBEINER. 

Michael Finkbeiner, senior member of the firm 
of Finkbeiner & .\rnold. mason contractors of 
Ann Arl)(>r. and now engaged in the cut stone 
work on the largest university buildings as well 
as many important structures in the citv, was 
born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Februarv 10. 
1863. his parents being John and Dora Fink- 
beiner, who were likewise natives of Germanv, 
where they spent their entire lives. The father 
was a stone contractor and died in the land of 
his birth in 1878. while his wife survived imtil 
1881. hi their family were seven children, but 
Michael l*"inkbeiner is the cinly one now sur- 
viving. 

The years of his boyhood and \(iiilli np to his 
eighteenth year were spent in his native country, 
during which period he acquired a fair education 
in the German schools, and also learned the trade 
of a stone mason there. Tn 1883 he came to the 
United States, hoping to inqirove his financial 
condition by a utilization of the better business 
opportunities of the new world, where competi- 
tion is more lively and advancement is more 
quickly secured. He resided in the state of New 
York for a time, and while there began busi- 
ness as a stone contractor. For five years he 
continued in a similar enterprise in Detroit and 
then came to .\nn .Arbor in 1903. entering into 
the cut stone contracting business in this city 
as a ])artner of \ alentine .\rnold under the tirni 
stvle of Finkbeiner & Arnold. The\- are in con- 



trol of the largest business of the kind in Ann 
.\rbor, and at the present writing are executing 
important contracts in stone work on the largest 
of the university buildings and various city 
buildings. 

In 1892 Mr. Finkbeiner was united in marriage 
to Miss Julia Honer, of Detroit, and they have a 
daughter, Flilda, who at the age of eleven years 
is attending school. Mr. Finkbeiner is a mem- 
ber of the Protracted Homestead and of the 
Bethlehem Lutheran church, while his political 
allegiance is given to the republican party. He 
is without aspiration for office, his inq^ortant busi- 
ness interests leaving him no time for active con- 
nection with political affairs ; and yet he is never 
remiss in the duties of citizenship, and has ever 
manifested a loyalty to his adopted land that has 
found exemplification in his co-operation in nianv 
measures for the general good. He conducts his 
business on a large scale at No. 213 East .\.nn 
street, and from a humble beginning in the world 
of trade, has gradually worked his way upward 
until he is now in control of extensive business 
interests that make him a leading representative 
of industrial life in Ann Arbor. 



MORRIS F. LANTZ. 



}\lorris F. Lantz. proprietor of a steam laundry 
in -\nn .\rb(ir. was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 
June 4, 1867. His father was Paulus Lantz, a 
native of Canada, and a blacksmith by trade. He 
followed that business for a long ])criod but 
died about twenty years ago. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Eliza Weber, and passed away 
aliout nine years ago. In their family were a son 
and daughter, the latter being Minnie, the wife 
of Dr. Stoddard. Morris F. Lantz pursued his 
education in the schools of Halifax, and in 1882 
came to Ann .\.rbor, being at that time a youth of 
fifteen years. Here he entered upon his business 
career as an employe of the firm of Schairer & 
Alillen, proprietors of a large dry goods house, 
with whom he remained for seventeen years, dur- 
ing which time he won steady advancement by 
reason of his diligence, his capability and his 




-MICHAKL nXKKElXER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



377 



trustworthiness. (!)ii the e.xpiratioii of that period 
he embarked in business on his own account 
through the cstabhshment of a store at W'hitniore 
Lake, Washtenaw county, and subsequently he 
went to Brighton, Michigan, where he embarked 
in tile drug and grocery business. He ne.xt re- 
moved to Reed City, this state, where he con- 
ducted a laundry for two years, after which he 
returned to Ann .\rbor and has since been en- 
gaged in the laundry business here as proprietor 
of the .\nn .Vrbor Steam Laundry, in partnership 
with Clarence R. Snyder. Their plant is equipped 
with the latest improved machinery and is located 
at No. 331 Main street. South, where they are 
conducting an extensive business, the volume of 
their trade being an indication of excellent work- 
manship and reliable business methods. 

Tn 1892 Mr. Lantz was united in marriage to 
Miss Julia Kennedy, of Ann .\rbor, and they 
have two children, Robert and Gerald, aged re- 
spectively eleven and six years, and now .students 
in the public schools of this city. Their home is 
at No. 505 Fourth avenue. North, and in addition 
to this property, Mr. Lantz is now erecting a new 
kuuidr\- building and two fine houses, being in- 
terested in real estate and other business enter- 
prises here. He belongs to the Golden Rule 
lodge of Masons, in wdiich he has been senior dea- 
con and he has filled nearly all of the chairs in 
the subordinate organization of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, with which he has been identified for 
eighteen vears. He is pre-eminently a business 
man. alert, enterprising and progressive, possess- 
ing tlie indomitable energy which has been the 
strong, potent force in the rapid upbuilding of 
the middle west. 



HENRY T. SCHLEMMER. 

Henry T- Schlemmer. manufacturer and inven- 
tor, now conducting an enterprise of considerable 
extent and importance under the firm name of the 
Ann .Vrbor Fluff Rug Company, was born in 
this city March 16, 1864, his parents being George 
I. and Katharine (Trautwein) Schlemmer, both 



III whom were natives of Germany. The father, 
who was born in Hollirun, a shoeman for many 
\tars and is now living at No. 908 Brown street, 
.\nn Arbor, and although seventy-three years of 
age is still an active factor in Ijusiness circles. 

Henrv J. Schlemmer attended the German and 
public schools of .\nn .\rhor and afterward spent 
one \ear on a farm, subsequent to which time he 
entered the large wagon manufactory of Wagner 
lirothers, of .\nn .\.rbor, under whose direction 
he learned the trade, spending four years in their 
employ. He afterward worked for The A. P. 
Ferguson Cart Manufacturing Company of Ann 
.\rbor and later spent some time in Manchester, 
Michigan, where he again worked at his trade. 
The succeeding year was passed with Staebler & 
Elmer, cart makers of .\nn Arbor and he next 
went to Columbus, Ohio, wdiere he worked at 
his trade until his return to Ann Arbor, wdiere for 
two \ears he was employed at tool making by 
A. G. Schmidt. He was in the carpet cleaning 
business with E. ]. Stillson on Detroit street, 
operating a steam plant there. On the expiration 
of that period he established the Ann Arbor Flufif 
Rug Company near the Cook House on East 
Huron street in small quarters, which the busi- 
ness soon outgrew, being then moved to Nos. 
409-421 Huron street, West. This business is 
today the largest rug manufacturing plant in the 
United States, occupying an immense building 
which at one time was the largest pattern shop 
and foundry between Detroit and Chicago. The 
buildings stand on half an acre of ground and are 
fitted with the finest looms and mechanical de- 
vices for the manufacture of beautiful rugs from 
old ingrain and brussels carpets. The work is 
done at reasonable prices and the finished product 
is attractive in appearance and design. Employ- 
ment is furnished to twentv-five skilled operatives 
and they also have fifty local agencies all over 
the United States, the product of the house being 
shipped to all parts of the country. Much of the 
machinery used in the plant has been invented 
l)\- Mr. Schlemmer to meet the needs of the busi- 
ness. In this enterprise he is associated with D. 
R. Shiiiferd, of Toledo, Ohio, but Mr. Schlemmer 
is the active manager and owns one-half of the 
stock of the company. They have taken first prize 



378 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



at numerous fairs and [hv (|ualily of their work- 
is its best aihertisenieiU. 

Mr. Sclileninier is a man of excellent business 
aliilit}-. keen discernment and strong- executive 
force and is interested in \ariiius enterprises of 
Ann Arbor, his wife also lieing a valued factor 
in the successful conduct of the business concern 
here. FraternalK' he is connected with the Odd 
Fellows and has attaineil hiyh rank in the order 
and his relig'ious connection is with the Ijcthie- 
hcm Evangelical clnu'ch. I'jUerins;' business life 
Mr. Sclemmer has made consecutive atlvancement. 
each step being carefully and thoroughly made 
and his ambition and inergy stand furtli as the 
strong elemems in his creditalile career. 



GEORGE W. Mh:RRILl.. 

The student of history need not carry his in- 
vestigations far into the annals of Washtenaw 
county before he learns that the ]\Ierrill family 
has from early ]Moneer times been represented 
in this jiart of the state. The subject of this re- 
view was born Ma\' 13. 1X44. in Webster town- 
ship, his parents being W'inthrop and Mary 
(Haight) Merrill. The father was born in Can- 
ada. June 18. 1810, and when a boy went with 
his parents to the state of Xew York, where he 
was reared and educated. When twenty-threi' 
vears of age he came to .Michigan, arriving in 
1833. ^^ 'I'^'i previously learned the tailor's 
trade in New York, and had followed that pur- 
suit until his removal to the west, at which time 
he located eighty acres of land in Webster town- 
shiji. He afterward returned to the F,m]iire state, 
but in the spring of 1S35 came again to Michi- 
gan, making the entire journey by tiani. When 
he arrived here with his wife and nne child lie 
built a log house and began clearing his land, 
which was covered with timber. As the trees 
were cut down and the stumps taken out he 
placed the fields under cultivation and later he 
purchased more land until he had about ninety 
or ninety-five acres. He was one of the first set- 
tlers of the township and was an industrious and 
hard working man. who braveU' met the cundi- 



tions of pioneer life with all its hardships and dis- 
advantages. In the '50s his log cabin was re- 
placed by a frame residence, and he spent his re- 
maining da\s upon the home farm. He acted as 
one of the school directors for twenty years or 
more and gave his political allegiance to the dem- 
ocratic party. His life was upright and honorable 
and he was respected by all who knew him. On 
the 13th of (October, 1833, in Steuben county. New 
\"(>rk. he had wedded Miss Mary Haight. who 
was b(irn in Philadelphia. December 12. 1815. For 
almost sixty years they traveled life's journey 
together and were separated by the death of the 
wife on the T8th of .\ugust, 181)3. while Mr. Mer- 
rill passed awa)- on the 23d of November, 1894, 
at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In their 
famil\- were -line children: Susan M., who was 
born September id, 1834, and is now deceased; 
Stephen H.. who died in infancy; Julia A. who 
was born (October 17. 1837. and is the wife of 
Thomas A. Rutherford, of Chicago ; Sarah D., 
who was Ixirn May 24, 1840, and died in infancy; 
Cieorge W. ; Emily G.. who was born October 26, 
1847. and is the widow of Joseph Rutherford; 
Frances E.. who was bom .\pril 4. 1851, and mar- 
ried l'"dgar ( llsaver ; Herbert L.. who was born 
.\.pril 2. 1853. and is now superintendent of the 
D. Y. Cameron school in Chicago : and Alarian 
.\.. will) was born August 2^. 1856, and is the 
wife of John Lovett, of Chicago. 

(iorge \\', Merrill, having mastered the 
branches cif learning taught in the clistrict schools 
of Webster township, afterward becaine a stu- 
dent ill llryaiit & Stratton P.nsiness College at 
t'liicago. which he attended in i868-g. He was 
reared to the occujiation of farming and has al- 
ways carried on agricultural pursuits. On the 
2()th of September, 1871. he was imitetl in mar- 
riage to ^iliss Frances E. Pall, who died in Afay. 
18S1, and their <inly child. Donna, died in in- 
faiiew On the 30th of .\ugust. 1882. ^fr. ]\[er- 
rill was again married, his second union bein.g 
with Miss Marian Putler. a daughter of Harvey 
C. and .Mar\ ( Wadley ) P>utler. Her father was 
born March 19. 1819. in the Empire state, and 
died May 26. 1S71. while his wife was born Jan- 
uar\ 1. 1830. in Oswego. New York, and died 
August <>. 11)05. The\- were married in 1848. and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



379 



after Idsiiit;- Ikt first liusband, Mrs. Butler be- 
came the wife of .\mos Eggleston, wlio died in 
tSS(|. liy her first marriage she had five chil- 
dren : Kdxanna, who was born July 6, 1850, and 
is now the wife of Robert Daw'son, of Hastings, 
Michigan : Mrs. Alerrill, who was born October 
19. 1852: Joseph W., who was born in 1854 and 
died in infancy ; Harvey A., who was born Sep- 
tember 7. 1857, and died at the age of four years ; 
and Anna May, who was born on Christmas day 
of 1839 and died when about two years of age. 
Mr, llutler, the father, became a resident of Ham- 
burg townshi]), Livingston county, Michigan, at 
a nearly day, accompanying his parents on their 
removal to the west. They were pioneer settlers 
of this portion of the state, and on taking up their 
abode here, Mr. Butler, father of Mrs. Merrill, 
began working for himself. He was then about 
twenty-six years of age, and he purchased a 
farm in Woodland, Berry county, where he lived 
for about four or five years. He then sold that 
propertv and bought a farm where the city of 
Hastings now stands, making his home thereon 
throughout his remaining days. During the early 
period of his residence in this state Indians were 
still seen in the neighborhood and considerable 
wild game was to be had until the '50s. Mr. But- 
ler never cared for public office, but was a devoted 
member of the Alethodist Episcopal church at 
Hastings. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have been born 
four children, but the eldest died in infanc\'. The 
others are: Mary Belle, who was born .\pril 12, 
1887, and is now attending Michigan Agricul- 
tural College in Lansing; George R., born De- 
cember <). 1889; and Hazel G., born August 28. 
1892. 

Mr. iNIerrill resided upon the old homestead un- 
til 1872. when he purchased a farm of one hun- 
dred and twenty-three acres and afterward added 
to this until he now owns two Inmdred and six 
acres of good land under a high state of culti\a- 
tion. In addition to the raising of cereals he has 
also devoted considerable attention to improving 
the grade of .Shropshire sheep in this cmuitw and 
he keeps on his farm from one hundred and twen- 
ty-five to one hundred and fifty head. He also 
feeds everv vear about one hundred lambs, some 



of which he buys for feeding purposes. He also 
raises from fifteen to twenty head of cattle and 
from fifty to sixty hogs each year. All of his 
stock is fed for the market. He also raises White 
Leghorn chickens, having from two to four hun- 
dred fowls of this breed for sale each year. In 
his business interests he is careful, systematic and 
industrious, and has met with gratifying success 
as the years have gone by. He now has a modern 
home in the rear of which are good barns and 
other outbuildings and everything about his place 
is kept in first class condition. That he is deeply 
interested in agricultural development, not only 
for the sake of his own interests, but also for 
the benefit of the community, is indicated by the 
fact that he has capably served for twelve or 
thirteen years as president of the Webster Farm- 
ers Club. 

Mr. Merrill has filled the olifice of township 
clerk and superintendent of schools. He is a 
member of Hamburg lodge, Xo. 438, I. O. O. 
F., and was initiated into this order in Huron 
lodge, Xo. 30, at Dexter, in 1881. In politics he 
is a democrat and is a member of the Congrega- 
tional church of Webster township, of which he 
has been one of the trustees. He has always lived 
in this county, and therefore for more than six 
decades has been a witness of its improvement 
and of the man_\- changes which have been 
wrought as a forest region has been converted 
into a rich agricultural district in the midst of 
which are splendid cities and towns. 



WALTER ALLEX KLOPFENSTEIN, M. D. 

Dr. Walter .\llen Klupfenstcin, a practitioner 
of the homeopathic school in Manchester, was 
born in Bowling Green, Ohio, April 26. 1876, a 
son of George and Direxa (Craw) Klopfenstein, 
who were also natives of Bowling Green. There 
they yet reside, the father devoting his energies 
to agricultural pursuits. His political support is 
given to the re])ublican jiartv. 

Dr. Klopfenstein, their only child, was a pub- 
lic school student in his native town, and after 
completing his literary course, he began prepara- 



38o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tion for the i)ractice of medicine as a student in 
the office and under the direction of Dr. E. P. 
Thomas of that place. He entered the Chicago 
Homeopathic College in 1894 and was graduated 
in 1899. In the summer of that year he entered 
upon active practice in Manchester, where he has 
since remained, meeting with deserved success. 
He pursued a post graduate course in 1903 in the 
New York Homeopathic College in general prac- 
tice, and the same year took a special course in 
the Illinois School of Electro-Therapeutics. He 
has a large clientele in Manchester and the sur- 
rounding country and is serving as health officer 
of the village. 

Dr. 'Klopfenstein was married September 16, 
1901, to Miss Ruth Goodenough, who was born 
in Bowling Green, Ohio, in 1877, a daughter of 
Henrv and Mary (Coen) Goodenough, the 
former a farmer b}^ occupation. 

Dr. Klopfeiistein is a Mason and finds ample 
opportunity in his practice to exemplify the spirit 
of the craft. His jiolitical views are in accord 
with the republican principles, and he is inter- 
ested in the success of the party, but without as- 
piration for office himself, preferring to give his 
attention to his professional duties. He is, how- 
ever, serving as health officer — a work largely in 
the line of his chosen profession. 



ANDREW R. SCHMIDT. 

.Vndrew R. Schmidt was 1>orn in .\nn Arbor. 
September 18, 1843. I^'s father, Adam Schmidt, 
a native of Bavaria, Germany, became a lock- 
smith bv trade, learning the business in Basel, 
Switzerland, whence he came to the United States 
with the Rev. Frederick Smith, the first Lutheran 
minister in the territory of Michigan. He located 
first at Reading, Pennsylvania, where he engaged 
in teaching school and eventually he came to Ann 
.■\rbor. where he sucured a clerkship in the em- 
plov of William S. and ^losley Maynard, at the 
corner of Main and Ann streets. He later was 
manager of the Cook House, the leading hotel 
of the city, for a number of years, capably con- 
ducting that hostelrv and making it a favorite re- 



s(irt with the tra\eling public. He also assisted 
in surve\ing the territorial road from Ann Arbor 
to Jackson, in which he was associated with a 
Mr. Stratton, and lie was likewise freight agent 
of the Michigan Central Railroad Company when 
its line was one of the old strap railroads and ex- 
tended from Detroit to Ann Arbor. He was thus 
a prominent factor in various enterprises which 
contributed to the material progress, development 
and upbuilding- of this portion of the state, and 
he passed away in the year 1879, his death being 
deeply regretted by many who knew him. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Wilhelmina 
^loeckel, has also passed away. 

.\ndrew R. Schmidt acquired his education in 
the common schools of .\nn .Vrbor and the high 
school academy, which he entered in 1849. He 
now lives in a building on Detroit street, which 
was used at that time for high school purposes 
and was known as the academy. His present 
connection with business interests in Ann Arbor 
is that of a carriage manufacturer, and he is also 
doing general repair work in his line. His busi- 
ness is located at No. 502 Detroit street, where 
he has been since he became a representative of 
industrial circles here. He learned the trade in 
earh- manhood, thoroughly mastering the work 
in principle and detail and as a carriage manufac- 
turer has placed upon the market many fine vehi- 
cles, which liecause of durability, excellence of 
workmanship and superiorit}' of finish have found 
a ready sale on the marlcet. 

In 1869 Mr. .Schmidt was united in marriage 
til Aliss Rosie Frank, a representative of one of 
the old families of Washtenaw county. Fie is a 
prominent Odd Fellow, liaving passed through 
all of the chairs of the lodge and is likewise con- 
nected with the encampment and has been repre- 
sentative to the grand lodge. For ten consecu- 
tive years he filled the position of right sup|)orter 
to the noble grand and his identification with the 
order covers nearly four decades, during which 
time he has always been loyal to its tenets and 
teachings and in hcartv svmpatli\ with its basic 
principles. In politics he has been a stalwart re- 
publican since casting his first presidential vote 
for Alindiam Lincoln, whom he supported in 
i8f^4, ha\ing in that vear attained the age of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



381 



twenty-one years. He belongs to the Bethlehem 
Evangelical church and has led an upright, hon- 
orable, useful and active life. He is one of the 
oldest native sons of the city, having for more 
than six decades been a witness of its growth and 
improvements as it has developed along modern 
business lines and in keeping with the advanced 
ideas of a twentieth centurv civilization. 



FRA.\K W. WILKINSON. 

The commercial interests of Ann .\rbor are 
well represented by Frank W. Wilkinson, who is 
now proprietor of a large new and second-hand 
furniture and stove business and who. since enter- 
ing business life at the age of sixteen years, has 
worked his way steadily upward undeterred by 
no obstacles that he has encountered, regarding 
these more as an impetus for renewed effort and 
more unfaltering energy and determination. He 
was born in Ingham county, this state. November 
4. 1875, and is a son of Walter Wilkinson, a 
native of England, who in his boyhood days came 
to America and settled uimiu a farm near Lansing. 
He continued a resident of Ingham countv up to 
the time of his death, wdiich occurred in 1877. 
He is still survived by his wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Fannie Tuttle, and is now living 
in Greenville. Michigan. In their family were 
three chihU'en : M;ittie. the wife of Lewis How- 
ard, who is a farmer of Oakland county ; Jess, 
who carries on agricultural ]5ursuits at (ireenville, 
and Frank W. 

In the schools of (jreenville Frank ^^'. Wilkin- 
son acquired his education. Putting aside his 
text-books at the age of sixteen years to earn his 
own living he was first employed as a farm hand 
and later engaged in the business of buying butter 
and eggs for a cummission man. Lloyd .Satterlee. 
of Greenville, with whom he remained for two 
years. He afterward entered the Stevens hard- 
ware store of Greenville, where he continued for 
five years, during which time he became familiar 
with the business-, gaining practical experience 
that has enabled him to carry his own enterprise 
successfully forward. In iS()(') he arriwd in .\nn 

22 



Arbor and a.gain sought and obtained a situation 
in a hardware store, being thus connected with 
commercial pursuits here until about four years 
ago, when he embarked in business on his own 
account at No. 325 South Main street, where he 
occupies a large three-story building with a stock 
of furniture and stoves, handling both new and 
second hand goods. 

On the 23d of August, 1897, occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Wilkinson and Miss .A.nna E. Ware, 
of this city, a daughter of Morris and .\da 
(W^orth) Ware, both of whom are living, the 
father devoting his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have become the 
parents of two daughters, Florence and Lucilc, 
aged three and one years respectively. Mr. Wil- 
kinson is a mcml)er of the Knights of the Macca- 
bees and in his political views is a republican, in- 
terested in the success and growth of his party. 
>et without as])iration for office for himself. He 
has a pleasant home at No. 1121 Packard street — 
a new house which he has recentiv erected. He 
is an energetic young business man, wide-awake, 
persevering and determined, and all that he pos- 
sesses has been gained through his enterprise and 
labor. He has made the most of his advantages, 
has utilized his opportunities and in the trade cir- 
cles of Ann Arbor has become a prominent factor. 



CLARENCE E. IMcOHILLAN. 

Clarence E. McQuillan, manager of the Aiui 
Arbor depot of the Detroit, Ypsilanti, .\nn .\r- 
bor & Jackson Railwa}' Company, was born in 
Rives Junction, Jackson countv, Michigan, on the 
28th of March, 1882. Llis father. John H. Mc- 
Quillan, is a native of this state and still main- 
tains his residence in Jackson, where he is now 
engaged in the coal and wood liusiness, although 
in former years he carried on agricultural pur- 
suits in Jackson county, having well developed 
business interests at the present time that are 
bringing him a good financial return. He mar- 
ried .\lice Courtney, also living, and thev have 
two daughters. Irene and Gertrude, who are 
with the ]>arents in Jackson. 



382 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



The only son, Clarence E. McQuillan, and the 
eldest of the family, pursued his education in St. 
Mary's Academy, in Jackson, Michigan, and en- 
tered the railway business in the employ of the 
Michigan Central Company. He has for the past 
four years been employed in the Ann Arbor de- 
pot for the Detroit, Ypsilanti. Ann Arbor & Jack- 
son Railway Company, and was apjjointed mana- 
ger of that point in the fall of 1904. He is a 
courteous and obliging official, always attentive 
to the patrons of the road, and at the same time 
carefulh' looking after the interests of the com- 
pany. 

In 1903 Mr. McOiiillan was married to Miss 
Edna Jennings, of Jackson, Michigan. Tie is 
a communicant of the Catholic church, and in 
politics is inckijcndent. A young man. he has 
attained to the responsible, paying ])osition. in 
which he is ver_\- efficient and he is also popular 
socially. 



WIEIJAM H. RICE. 



William H. Rice, deceased, was a representa- 
tive of one of the first families of W^ashtenaw 
county and for many years was identified with ag- 
ricultural and stock-raising interests here. He 
was born in Ypsilanti townshij) about seven miles 
east of the city of Ann Arbor October 28, 1838, 
his parents being Asa and Susanna (Smith) Rice, 
the latter a native of Dutchess county. New York, 
and the former of Warsaw, that state. With his 
family he came to Washtenaw county. Michigan, 
in 1826 and cast in his lot with the pioneer set- 
tlers, purchasing a farm in Ypsilanti township, 
two miles west of Ypsilanti. There in the midst 
of the forest he cleared and developed a tract of 
land which, responding readily to the labor he 
bestowed upon it. was converted into productive 
fields which yielded to him good harvests as he 
carried on farm work up to the time of his death. 
In the meantime, however, he had purchased a 
residence in Ypsilanti, intending to make his 
home there in the enjoyment of a well earned rest 
but death intervened. His widow, however, re- 
moved to Ypsilanti and Miss Lucy Rice resided 
with her up to the time of her death, which oc- 



curred when she had reached the advanced age of 
eightv-six vears. All but three of the children of 
that family have also passed away. 

William H. Rice began his education in the 
common schools of this county and afterward at- 
tended the normal school at Ypsilanti. thus ac- 
quiring a good education. In his >()uth he as- 
sisted his father on the home farm and when he 
had finally saved from his earnings enough capi- 
tal to justify the purchase of land he became the 
owner of a farm of his own about five miles 
northwest of Ypsilanti in Ann Arbor township. 
It was all covered with timber and with the aid of 
his father and two hired men he cleared this, built 
a house and be.gan the further cultivation and de- 
yeloi)ment of his property. As the years passed 
he continued his farm work tilling the fields and 
harvesting good crops of the grain best adapted 
to soil and climate. He was also a lover of fine 
horses and engaged quite extensively in dealing in 
them and also raised horses to some extent. He 
continued his farming operations until 1888. when 
he remox'ed to the city of ,\nn Arbor and there his 
wife purchased a residence which he made his 
home u]) to the time of his death, enjoying in well 
earned ease the fruits of his former toil. 

William H. Rice was married March 24. 1863, 
in the village of Dixboro, this county, to j\Iiss 
Sarah E. Clements, a daughter of James P. and 
]\Iary Ann (Finch) Clements, botli of whom were 
natives of Saratoga county. New York, where 
they \vere married October 29, 1839. Soon after- 
ward they came to the west, settling in this county 
among its pioneer residents. They took up their 
abode in the village of Dixboro in Superior town- 
ship and the father purchased a farm in Ann 
.\rbor township. He was also a photographer 
and conducted a gallery in the village, at the same 
time superintending his general agricultural pur- 
suits. There he made his home until the time of 
his death. The heirs have since sold the property 
but most of the children still reside in the county. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born four children. 
Fred R., who pursued a commercial course in the 
high school at Ann Arbor, now resides on the 
home farm five miles east of the city. He mar- 
ried Emily Helena Fleming and has six children : 
Roscoe William, Ernest T-. Sarah E., Walter F.. 





MR. AX I) AIRS. WILLIAM H, RICE. 






.MR. .\.\U AiU.S. JAMES P. CLEMENTS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



387 



I.t'Roy and .Wirman Clements. Hattie 15. Rice, 
who ]5ursuc(I tlie Ensjlish course in tlie hi^li 
.school, is now the wife of Charles Al. Irwin and 
resides in \\'icliita, Kansas, where he is eni^aged 
in the practice of law and also conducts a real- 
estate husiness. They have one child. Lois 
Amanda. Hert C, who ])ursued the scientific 
course in the high school and also attended the 
Cnivcrsity of .Michigan for three years, is resid- 
ing in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is engaged 
in the manufacture of crackers and confectionery, 
which he sells to the wholesale trade. I le married 
Jessie Lehan and the}' have one child, William 
jnseph. James Much Rice, the other member of 
the family, dieil at the age of nine months and 
twenty-one days. 

The death of Air. Rice occurred in Ann Arlior. 
Xovemher 14, 1890. and he was buried in High- 
land cemetery. Ypsilanti. He was never an offlce 
seeker but held several minor positions in his 
township and he gave an unfaltering su])port to 
the republican party, keeping well informed on 
the issues of the day. ISoth he and his wife were 
members of the Alethodist Episcopal church. He 
was a self-made man whose well directed business 
interests won him success. He realized the value 
of energy and diligence and upon those (|ualities 
as a foundation he builded his prosperitv and 
moreover he won an honorable name as well as a 
comfortable competence. Airs. Rice now owns a 
fine brick residence at No. 530 South Division 
street, where she has resided since coming to .\nn 
.\rbor. She also owns her dower right in the 
home farm of one hundred and forty-nine acres 
ou sections 24 and 25, .\nn .Vrbor townshi]), the 
remainder being owned l)y her son. and has an- 
other farm nf nne hundred and sixty acres on 
section 12, .\nn .\rbor township, alxnit a half mile 
north of the village of Dixboro. 



HE^■R^■ ]'.. I'KI.DK AMI'. 

Henry 11. h'eldkamp, who since 1880 has resided 
on his present farm in Ann .Arbor townshi]), was 
born in Freedom township, this county, in 1854. 
His parents were Lambert and Katherine Feld- 



kamp, both natives of Germany. The mother 
came to Alichigan with lier jjarents in 1836 and 
the father arrive<l in this state about 1838. Ac- 
cording; to the laws of his native country he had 
rendered military service as a member of the Ger- 
man army for three years. On crossing the .At- 
lantic he located first in the state of New York, 
whence he afterward caiue to Michigan and was 
eiuployed as a farm hand for several vears. When 
his labor had brought to him sufficient ca]iital to 
justify his purchase of a farm he became owner 
of eighty acres of land in Freedom township, to 
which he afterward added a tract of forty acres. 
He then continued the further cultivation and im- 
provement of his one hundred and twenty-acre 
farm until 1866. when he S(.)ld that property and 
removed to Saline townshi]i, where he bought two 
Inmilred and fifty acres. He had the usual ex- 
perience of pioneer farming, but as the years 
passed brought his land up to a high state of culti- 
vation and became one of the prosperous agricul- 
turists of his community. He voted with the 
democracy and was <|uite active in sup])ort of the 
l^art}-. His death occurrtd in 1871. while his wife 
survived until 1806. In their family were seven 
children : Frederick : William ; Carrie, the wife of 
^^'. AI. Clements, of Lodi. Michigan: Henry B. : 
Sarah, the wife of Christian Weidmayer, of Lodi : 
I.ydia. the wdfe of Frederick Brennion. also of 
Lodi; and Dinah, the wife of George Weidmayer, 
of Lodi. 

Henry B. Feldkain]j, of this review, pursued his 
early education at Rogers Comers and afterward 
continued his studies in Saline township. He re- 
mained u]ion the home fariu utitil twentv-two 
years of age. during which time he became fa- 
ntiliar with all the work that falls to the lot of the 
agriculturist. He was afterward employed as a 
farm hand for several years, and in 1880, with 
the money he had saved from his own earnings, 
be purchased one hundred and forty-five acres on 
section 11, .Ann Ailxir township. He added to 
this in 1890 a tract of one hundred and twenty- 
five acres and later bought eighty acres additional, 
so that he now has a valuable and extensive farm 
of three himclred and fifty acres, all in one body. 
In 1904 he built a fine hoiue containing twelve 
rooms, at a cost of thirtv-five hundred dollars. It 



388 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



is finished in oak, which he sawed from timber on 
the fami. and it is one of the attractive residences 
of this ])art of the county. In 1888 he Iniik a good 
barn thirty-four by one hundred and fourteen feet 
and he has a horse liarn twentv-eight hv tliirty- 
eight feet. Here he carries on general farming, 
feeding all of his grain to his stock except his 
wheat crop. Two hundred and ninety acres of his 
land is improved, while sixty acres is covered with 
timber. 

On the 30th of .March, 1880, Air. l-'eldkamp was 
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth IWssinger, a 
daughter of Conrad P«issinger, of Scio township, 
who spent his last days in Ann .Xrhor, where he 
died at the venerable age of ninety-four }ears. 
Mr. and Mrs. Feldkamp have four children : Cora. 
Edwin, Emma and Edna. In jiolitics .Mr. Feld- 
kainp is an earnest democrat, and his fellow towns- 
men, recogUiizing his worth and abilitw have fre- 
quently called him to public office. He has served 
on the school board, on the board of review and 
as road commissioner and justice of the (leace 
and in all of these offices has discharged his du- 
ties with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to 
the Bethlehem Evangelical church and has lived 
an honorable and upright life. ^Toreover. he is 
entitled to praise for what he has accomiilished. 
He started out for himself as a farm hand and 
has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming 
many difficulties and obstacles, yet persevering in 
his labor until he is now the owner of one of the 
finest farms of the county and is classed wTth the 
substantial citizens of .Vnn Arbor township. 



HERBERT P.. TEXW 



Herbert 1!. Teun\. proprietor of the \'arsit\- 
Laundry of Ann Arbor, is a native of Ypsilanti, 
born on the 22d of October, 1872, his parents 
being .Alfonzo and- Kitty (Eaton) Temix. The 
father is a native of this state, a molder by trade 
and now makes his home in Ypsilanti. His po- 
litical x'iews accord with the princi])lcs of the de- 
mocrac\- and his religious faith is indicated bv 
his membership in the Methodist church. He 
was then called uiion to mourn the loss of his 



wife, who died about seven years ago and is sur- 
vived by five of their six children, namely : 
l'"rances, who is the wife of Charles Closson, a 
resident farmer of Nebraska; Charles F., who 
is foreman of the Delivery Men's Trip Associa- 
tion at Ypsilanti; Herbert B.. of this review; 
Airs. Carrie .^mith, who is living in nelleville, 
Alichigan; and Peon, a resident of Detroit, who 
is with the firm of Dean & Company. 

Reared in Ypsilanti, Herbert B. Tennv was a 
student in its jmblic school and entering his busi- 
ness career, was connected with the White Laun- 
dry of that place for ten years, during which time 
he learned all the details of the business and the 
best methods of carrying on the work. His la- 
bors, however, were interrupted by military serv- 
ice, for at the time of the Spanish-American 
war he volunteered with the Thirty-first Michi- 
gan Infantry and went to Cuba in the capacity 
of bugler with his regiment. Later he was made 
orderly on the staff of Battalion Adjutant Fred 
C/ireen. He made a creditable militarv record in 
the last war in which this country has engaged 
and which demonstrated as no other one thing- 
has done that the United States deserves to be 
ranked with the great powers of the world. Fol- 
lowing his return home, he soon afterward went 
to the Canadian Soo, where he was manager for 
the Pearl Steam Laundry Company, Limited, of 
that place. 

In January, 1905, ]\Ir. Penny came to Ann 
.\rbor, looked over the business situation and in 
hVbruary established his Varsity Laundry, one 
of the finest steam laundries in the state, being 
equipped with the most extensive and improved 
machinery for fine work and conducting" a con- 
stantly growing business which has already 
reached immense proportions. The laundry is lo- 
cated at No. 217 South Fourth street and in this 
enterprise Mr. Tenny is associated with P>. E. 
Cook, who, however, is away from the cit\ most 
of the time, being engaged in other business pur- 
suits, so that Mr. Tenny is manager of the busi- 
ness here, employment being furnishetl to six- 
teen operatives. The public are invited to visit 
and inspect this model plant, which is most in- 
teresting in its workings and the number of op- 
eratives employed indicates that the firm have 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



389 



built up an extensive trade and are now conduct- 
int; a profitable business. 

On the 24th of December, 1904, Air. Tenny 
was married to Miss Harriet O. Harris, and they 
now have a little son. His political views 
are in accord with republican principles 
and he has supported the party since age gave 
to him the right of franchise. In his religious 
views he is a INIethodist. A typical representa- 
tive of the business life of the day, alert and en- 
ergetic and of pleasing personality, Mr. Tenny 
is welcomed to the ranks of the business men of 
Ann Arbor and has already attained success that 
many a man of much older years might well 
envv. 



CHRISTIAN H. 0\'ERBECK. 

Christian H. Overbeck. senior partner of the 
firm of Overbeck & Klingler, dealers in groceries 
and meats in Ann Arljor, maintains a high stand- 
ard of commercial ethics in his business relations 
and with a full realization of the value of energy 
and efficient service is conducting an enterprise 
that is bringing to him a gratifying measure of 
success. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, December 
8. i8C)0. and is one of the seven children whose 
parents were Hermann H. and Mary Angell 
( Heager I Overbeck. The father, a native of 
Hanover, Germany, settled in ^Vood county, 
Ohio, upon coming to the United States, taking 
u]) his abode upon a farm of forty acres whicli 
borders the corporation limits of the city of To- 
ledo. This was in the year I<S54, and he continued 
to reside upon that farm for almost a half century, 
giving his time and energies to its cultivation and 
improvement. Mis death occurred in h'ebruary, 
if)Oi. and he is still survived by his wife, who }'et 
lives upon the old homestead. Six of their chil- 
dren are living, as follows: Hermann, a resident 
farmer of Woodville, Ohio; Christian H. ; Mar\-, 
the wife of John Young, who is living in Mill- 
hury, ( )hio; Sophia the wife of a Mr. Busdieker, 
of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Annie .\ckerman. also of 
Millbury; and Henry, who is upon the home- 
stead farm with his mother. 



In his vouthful days Christian H. Overbeck 
was a student in Olney School in Wood county. 
( )hio. and in the periods of vacation he assisted in 
the labors of the home farm and after putting 
aside his text-books his entire attention was given 
to farm work until twenty-two years of age. 
when, feeling that other occupation might prove 
more congenial, he abandoned the plow and 
turned his attention to the flour and feed business, 
dealing in those commodities in Toledo for two 
years. He arrived in Ann Arbor in 1886, at 
which time he enteretl the grocery trade and is 
;i(iw in conjunction with Mr. Klingler, proprietor 
of a large grocery and meat market at the corner 
of Liberty street and Fourth avenue. The firm 
carries an extensive line of staple and fancy gro- 
ceries and good meats and the integrity of their 
business methods and tlieir earnest desire to 
please their customers have secured them a pat- 
ronage of considerable extent and importance, so 
that the business has for many years been one of 
tlie pmfitable enterprises of the city. 

In i8g2 Mr. Overbeck was married to Miss 
Mary Uurkhardt. of Ann Arbor, and they have 
two children. Marguerite and I->win, who at the 
ages of twelve and seven years, respectively, are 
students in the public schools here. Mr. Over- 
beck is a member of the Knights of the Mac- 
cabees, the Woodmen of America, the D. O. H., 
a local German society, and of the Bethlehem 
German Evangelical church, while his political 
views accord with the [irinciples of the repub- 
lican party. 



AXDJ^EW JACKSON WARREN. 

.Vndrew Jackson Warren, editor of the Saline 
( )ljserver, was born in York township, Washte- 
naw county, January 7. 1856. His father, Aaron 
Warren, w-as a native of Deerfield, New York. 
born Januar\- 2. 1802, and was a ,great-nephew 
of General Joseph \\'arren. who commanded the 
.\merican forces at the battle of Bunker Hill, 
and there gave his life on the altar of liberty. 
Aaron Warren was both a farmer and a carpen- 
ter and he died in the vear i860. His widow, 



39" 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



who burc the maiden name nf .\lar\ Ann Hart, 
was born in New Jersey June 12. 1825, and is 
iiiiw li\ini^' in Saline, i\lichii;an. 

A. J. Warren ni this re\'ie\v. an only child, 
])ursneil his education in the district schools and 
in Saline Union school, lie was reared to the oc- 
cupation of farming' until seventeen years of 
as'e. when in 1876 he became connected with mer- 
cantile life as a partner of C. M. Webb, with 
whom he remained for two years. Through the 
succeeding two years he clerked in the dry goods 
store of C. Parsons and later he (iceu])ied a posi- 
tion as pharmacist and clerk for six years with 
Nichols ISrothers. the following four vears being 
spent in the agricultural business. In March. 
l8oo. lie pin'chased the Saline ( )bserver. which 
he has since edited and published. It is an ex- 
cellent eountrv paper, devoted Id the disseuiiua- 
tiou of kical and general news, has a good adver- 
tising patronage and a large circulation list. 

( )n the 23d of Julv. 187(1. Mr. A\'arren was 
married to Aliss Edith L. I'arsous, a daughter of 
Cornelius and Mary .\. (Rouse) l\arsons, of 
Saline. He was born an .Andrew faekson demo- 
crat and has since affiliated with the party. On 
its ticket he has been elected to several local of- 
fices, serving as clerk and treasurer, both of the 
village and township, also e.x-member of the vil- 
lage council, while at the present writing he is 
justice of the peace. For three years he was 
master of the Masonic lodge of Saline and is now 
serving for the third as worthy patron in the 
( )rdt'r of the Eastern Star here. IK- likewise be- 
longs to the 'Knights of the Maccabees and to 
the b'oresters and since 1875 he has been a mem- 
ber I if tlir r.aptist church. 



TAAFFS I'. \\"( )OD. 



James 1'. Wood, a ]iro<lnee and cimimission 
merchant who has built and maititaitied a lar.ge 
warehouse fur the storage of beans in Chelsea, 
was burn in I'utnam. I .ivingslou eountv. Michi- 
gan, on the 7th of August, 1836, and is a son of 
Tra and Jane ( I'ullen) Wood. The father came 
to Michigan from (iorham. .\ew ^'ork. in 1824. 



lie was a farmer by occu])ation and settled first 
in W ashteuaw ^•ounty. while later he removed to 
l,i\ingston count\. lie owned a farm in the for- 
mer coimt\' and later s])ent a few vears in Liv- 
iii,gstou count), locating near .Stockridge. lie 
became owner of one hundred and si.xt)' acres of 
l;md there, making his home thereon until 1865, 
wlirii he sold that property and removed to Jack- 
sou couiUy. where he bought a farm, residing 
thereon u|> to the time of his tlemise. which oc- 
curred on the i8tli of (.)ctober, 1882. His entire 
life was (kwoted to agricultural ]nirsnits and he 
was a man of energy and persistency of purpose, 
lie long survived his wife who passed away in 
1S47. In their family were seven children. Lou- 
isa, .Marcia, Mary. John, Henry L. and Harvey. 

James 1^. Wood, the other member of the fam- 
il\ . |nu"sued his education in the schools of Stock- 
ridge until sixteen years of age. when he con- 
tinued his studies in the schools of Chelsea, with 
which he was connected until attaining his ma- 
jorit\. In the meantime he learned the wagon- 
maker's trade and after permanenth' putting aside 
his text-books he embarked in the Imsiness of 
manufactiu-ing wagons and carriages at this 
place, continuing therein until t8ri8. under the 
firm st\de of Wood nrothers. In tin- meantime 
he had responded to the country's call for troops 
during the Civil war, enlisting in i8'')2 as a mem- 
ber of the Tweutx -fourth Michigan Infantry 
band. This was the l.irigade band and with it he 
served for a \ear and a half. He continued with 
the arni\ until houorabh' discharged in |ul\ , 1865, 
when he returned home and assumed industrial 
interests as a member of the firm of Wood 
i'lfotln'rs. Tln-y continued as carriage and wagon 
mainifacturers until 1868, when they sold out and 
pm'cbased a drv-goods store, in which thev con- 
tiinu'd together until T88f). carrying a large and 
careftdly selected line of general merchandise. In 
that year they disposed of their goods and for 
three years Mr. W'ood of this review was not 
actively connected with business interests. In 
i8()i. however, he turned his attention to the pro- 
duce business, erected an elevator and has since 
been handling beans. Tie employs from forty to 
lift\ people during the bus\- season, mostly girls, 
and his annual sales reach a large figure. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



391 



Tn 1858 Mr. ^^'ood was united in marriage to 
Miss Sarah Freer, a daughter of .\. Freer, of 
Lima towiisliip. They became the parents of 
three chiklren but aU have passed away, Echvard 
dving at the age of four and a half years Mihh-ed 
at tlie age of three and a lialf years, wliile Frank 
reached the age of eighteen years. They now 
have an adopted daugliter. Mary F... who is the 
wife of WiUiam 'Sehmartnan, of Chelsea. 

Mr. Wood has voted with the prohibition part\ 
since 1882 for it embodies his ideas upon the 
temperance question which he regards of para- 
mount issue lieforc the people at the present time. 
.Vctive and influential in community affairs his 
fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and abil- 
ity have frequently called him to public office. He 
has served as president of the village for two 
terms, has for seven terms been a member of the 
board of trustees and for eighteen years 
has been a member of the school board. 
Since 1904 he has been justice of the 
peace and his decisions are strictly fair and 
impartial so that he has won "golden (^])inions" 
from all sorts of jjeople. His religious faith is 
indicated by his membership in the Methodist 
F])iscopal church, of which he is one of the 
trustees and he stands as a champion of social, 
material, intellectual and moral progress in his 
ciimmmiity. giving his su])port to many interests 
that have for their object the welfare, upbuilding 
and advancement of his fellowmen. 



T. FRFDERICH SCHAEBERLE. 

J. Frederich Schaebcrle, whose interpreta- 
tion of music has made him a prominent factor 
in the art circles of Ann Arbor, was born Novem- 
ber 27, 1844, in Oeschelbronn, Wurtemberg, Ger- 
manv. His father. Anton Schaeberle. who was 
horn in German}- in 18 1 8, crossed the Atlantic to 
the new world in 1854 and became a resident of 
.Vnn Arl»r in July of that year. He is a harness- 
maker by trade and throughout the years of 
active Imsiness he followed that pursuit. He still 
makes his home in this city at the venerable age 
of eighty-seven years and has long been a de- 



voted member of the Bethlehem German Evan- 
gelical church, living a consistent Christian life. 
His wife bore the maiden name of Katharine 
\oegele. L'nto this worthy couple were born 
si.x children but three have passed away, the 
others being J. Frederich, Mary C., who is act- 
ing as her father's housekeeper, and J. Martin, 
who is a distinguished astronomer residing in 
Ann .\rbor. 

I. Frederich Schaeberle, provided with excel- 
lent educational privileges, attended both the 
public and private schools of Ann Arbor, having 
been brought to America when a youth of nine 
years. \t the age of eighteen years he entered 
the dry goods business with Christian Mack 
and subsequently he was for four years engaged 
in harness making in connection with his father. 
During all these years he devoted much of his 
leisure time to the study of music ami in order 
to perfect himself in the art went to Chicago, 
where he continued his studies under some of 
the best masters of that city. He likewise bene- 
fited by instruction from noted teachers in Ger- 
many and following his stay abroad he rettirned 
to Ann .\rbor. where for thirty years he was 
known as a most capable, efficient and promi- 
nent music teacher. In fact his name is in- 
separably associated with musical circles in this 
city and for eighteen years from 1877 until 1895, 
he was also a teacher in the famous Lindenhall 
Seminary at Lititz, Pennsylvania, a Moravian 
school which was founded more than one hun- 
dred and eleven years ago. In the vear 1896 Mr. 
Schaeberle established a music store at No. 114 
West Liberty street, Ann Arbor, where he handles 
all kinds of musical merchandise and pianos and 
organs manufactured by some of the best houses 
of the country. He also does |)iano tuning and 
his business has become extensive. He is him- 
self an accomplished performer, with an under- 
standing and love of the art that is character- 
istic of the German race. While still a young 
man he passed beyond the ranks of the amateur 
performer and gained distinction in musical cir- 
cles, his reputation making him known far be- 
N'ond the boundaries of Michigan. 

Professor Schaeberle was married in 1873 to 
Miss Katherine Kemmler, a native of Germany, 



392 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



and they have two sons and two daughters : 
Ernest A., who was graduated from the engineer- 
ing department of the University of Michigan 
with the class of 1893; Mary J., a hookkeeper 
in her father's store; Fred AT., a student in the 
university; and Katherine A., who is acting as 
bookkeeper for the firm of Hutze! & Company, 
of Ann Arbor. The family are identified with 
the Lutheran church, while politically Mr. Schae- 
berle is independent. \\'ith a love for and skill 
in music that enables him not only to interest 
but touch the heart strings of his hearers, Mr. 
Schaeberle has won a notable place in musical 
circles and his position is that which is accorded 
to one who has advanced far beyond mediocrity 
in the interpretation of the masters. 



W. ALFRED HUTZEL. 

\\'. .Alfred Flutzel, one of the leadinj.; and 
])rominent farmers, also well known in local po- 
litical circles in Pittsfield townshij) and Washte- 
naw county, was born in Lodi townshi]i, |ul\- 15, 
1863. His father, J. George Hutzel. was a na- 
tive of Germany, born in February, 1843, ^'ifl '''' 
the year 1857, when a )onlh of fourteen sum- 
mers, he crossed the .\tlantic to the United 
States, landing at Xew York. He did not tarrv 
in the eastern metropolis, however. Inn made hi-; 
way at once to this county and secured emplo\- 
ment in Lodi townshi]), where he worked for sev- 
eral )ears until his labors had lirought him suf- 
ficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm 
of his own. He then bought one hundred and 
twentv acres of land that is now the propert\' of 
his son, .\lfred, and Miss Elizabeth llutzel. and 
at once began the cultivation and imjirovemenl 
of this place, which he transformed into a valu- 
able farm. He married Miss Caroline llach. who 
was born in Pennsylvania in 1851 and was edu- 
cated there. Mr. Hutzel passed awa\- about 
twelve years ago, while the motlier of our sub- 
ject flied seven years ago. 

In taking np the personal history of W. \lfreil 
Hutzel, we present to our readers the life rec- 
ord of a farmer well known in this part of the 



state, lie accpiired a good education in the dis- 
trict schools, in the hi.gh school of .\.nn .-Vrbor, 
and ilie ."-^tate L'niversity, being graduated on the 
completion of the chemical engineering course. 
He afterward followed that profession for three 
or four \ears, when, on account of the decline of 
his father's health, he was com])elled to return to 
the farm, and has since made his home there. He 
has a tine home, his land being well improved 
and \ ielding go(](l harvests in return for the care 
and labor bestowetl upon it. There are large barns 
and cattle sheds upon the ])lace. the latest im- 
provecl machinery, and in fact, all the modern 
e(|uipments that facilitate farm work. Mr. Hut- 
zel carries on general agricultural pursuits and 
stock-raising, and both branches of his business 
are proving profitable. He has one hundred and 
twenty acres of land and lives upon the old liome- 
stead with his only sister, Aliss Elizabeth. 

In his ]iolitical views i\Ir. Hutzel is an earnest 
republican, and has taken Cfuite an active and 
liel|)ful part in local political work. His fellow 
townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, 
have called him to office and he is now serving as 
supervisor of Pittsfield township, having filled 
the position for the past five years. He has also 
been town treasurer. Fraternally he is connected 
with the ( ileaners, the Grange and the American 
.Society of Equity, and he has gained many warm 
friends among his brethren of those orders. Miss 
Hutzel belonus to the Zion Lutheran church. 



CORNELIUS L. TUOMY. 

Cornelius L. Tuoniy, who is engaged in dairy- 
ing in .\nn .\rbor township with a business that 
is now yielding him a gratifying financial return, 
was born in Seio townshi]), Washtenaw countw 
in 1843, his parents being Timothy and Johanna 
t Roach) Tuomv. The fadier came from Ireland 
ou the r>th of June, 1835, and bought a farm of 
two hundred and eighty acres in Scio township, 
this County, to which he afterward added one hun- 
dred and twenty acres. He was one of the pioneer 
settlers of this portion of the state, for he found 
here a largely unimproved and undeveloped re- 




J. GEORGE HGTZEL. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



395 



gioii wlu-n lie came but witli characteristic enerL;v 
he bejijan tiie cultivation of his land and in the 
course of time had \vroui,flit a splenchd transfor- 
matidU in the ap])earance of his farm, hringin^' 
the fields up to a high state of cultivation. He 
also erected a fine house and large barns and suc- 
cessfully carried on general farming. His death 
occurred in the year 1862, while his wife sur- 
vived until 1879. In their familv were ten chil- 
dren, as follows: William and Julin. Imlh of 
whom have passed away; Margaret; Johanna: 
Patrick, who was killed in K^o^; Ellen; ( )sborn ; 
Mary: Cornelius T^. : and Manor, deceased. 

Cornelius \^. Tuomy entered the district schools 
of .Scio township at the usual age and later at- 
tendi-d tile Ann Arhdr high school for three \ears. 
therein mastering the branches of luiglish learn- 
ing usually taught in such institutions. He was 
reared upon the home farm in Scio townshi]), 
working in the fields from the time that he was 
old enough to handle the ])low and thus he gained 
good practical knowledge that enablefl him to 
profitably carry on his own business interests 
when in 1874 he liotight a farm of two hundred 
and twelve acres in Ann Arlior township. To this 
he added a fifteen-acre tract and he iu)w owns two 
hundred and twenty-seven acres of fine land on 
section 34, .Ann .Arbor township, lie carries on 
general farming, also feeds stock and in i8g8 
turned his attention to the dairy business, keeping 
on hand twenty-two head of milch cows for this 
purpose. He had a milk route in the city for the 
retail trade until 1904, since which time he has 
sold to the wholesale trade. In all of his Inisiness 
he is thorough and systematic and his farm gives 
every evidence of the careful supervision and pro- 
gressive methods of the owner, who is classed 
with tlie leading agriculturists of this part of the 
county. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tuomy have been born 
three children : Cornelius William, Catherine G. 
and Thomas Carney. The parents are communi- 
cants of St. Thomas Catholic church at Ann .\r- 
bor. In his political views Mr, Tuomy is an ear- 
nest democrat and for three terms served as su- 
pervisor, discharging the duties of the office in 
capable manner, which led to his re-election. His 
entire life has been passed in Waslitenaw countv 



and his business interests have been crowned with 
success because of his practical methods and his 
untiring diligence. His farm is now a valuable 
proi)erty splendidly improved and is one of the 
attractive features in the landscape in Ann Arbor 
township. 



FREDERICK J. WEISSINGER. 

h'rederick J. Weissinger, of .Ann Arbor, was 
1)1 ini ill Tecumseh, Michigan, October 16, 1870, 
and comes of German liiiea.ge, for his father, 
Frederick J. Weissinger, is a native of Wurtem- 
berg. In early life, however, he left the land of 
his birth and came to Michigan, settling in Te- 
cumseh, where for many years he was actively en- 
gaged in business as a general merchant. He 
now resides in Saline, Washtenaw county, where 
he is conducting a furniture store and is regarded 
as t)ne of the representative business men of that 
])lace. lie exercises his right of franchise in sup- 
]jort of the men and measures of the democracy 
and is a member of the German Lutheran church. 
He married .\delaide Howard, and they have be- 
come the parents of two sons and a daughter : Au- 
gustus, of this city ; Frederick J. ; and Donna, the 
wife of Homer B, Godfrey, of Ann Arbor. 

Frederick J, Weissinger liegan his education in 
the graded schools of Saline and continued his 
studies there until he had completed a high school 
course by graduation. In his early business ca- 
reer he went to Chicago, where he learned the 
trade of sign painting in all its branches, being 
employed by large companies in that line in the 
metropolis. He continued there for four years, 
attaining skill and proficiency and later was upon 
the road for four years for a sign company, fn 
T895 he located in .Ann Arbor in the business of 
sign painting, at Xo. 303 .South Main street and 
he executes high grade work in the manufacture 
of wood, metal, glass and copper signs. He not 
I iiil\ has a large patronage in Ann Arbor, but has 
many patrons out of town for whom he executes 
extensive orders. His work certainly approaches 
the artistic, displaying excellent coloring and de- 
sign as well as a perfection of mechanical 
drawing. 



396 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



In i8y8 Mr. Weissinger was married to AEi.ss 
Clara Kuster, of Ann Arbor, and their son, 
Floyd H., seven years of age, is attending school. 

Mr. Weissinger is an Odd Fellow and is also a 
valued representative of other fraternal organiza- 
tions, being now chief forester of the degree team 
in the Modern Woodmen cam]) and worthy chan- 
cellor of the Home Guards. His religious faith 
is indicated 1)\' his mcnibersliij) in the I'.aptist 
church. 



^^•( GODSON T. WILLS. 

\\'oo(Is()n T. Wills, agent fur the .Vnn Arbor 
Railway Company at Ann .\rbor, is a representa- 
tive of an old southern family. He was born in 
Mount Cove, ^^'est \'irginia, on the 5th of May, 
1861, and his parents. Dr. Joel B. and Martha C. 
(Tyree) \^'ills, were both natives of Virginia. 
The father, practicing medicine as a life work and 
rendering valuable service to his fellowmen by 
reason of his broad knowledge and his accuracy 
in the administration of medical jirinciples to the 
needs of suffering humanity, made his home in 
Monroe county. West A'irginia, until his death, 
which (iccurred in ]<%2. His widow long sur- 
vived him and passed away in March, 1899. In 
their family were five children, of whom three 
are yet living : Lawrence P.. residing at Mount 
Cove, \A'est Virginia, where he follows farming: 
Otie B., who is traveling .salesman, residing at 
Austed, West Virginia : and ^^'oo(lson T. 

The last mentioned was only a ^-oung lad at the 
time of his father's death, but spent his bovhood 
days in his mother's home and acquired his earlv 
education in district school No. 19, in Monroe 
county. West Virginia. He studied telegraphx- in 
a school established for the teaching of that art 
in Oberlin. Ohio, and after mastering the ])usiness 
became operator on the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail- 
road for fifteen years, acting as operator and sta- 
tion agent at various points on that line, including 
Covington and Charleston. At the last named he 
was also cashier for the company. He now makes 
liis home in Ann Arbor and is filling his present 
position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. 

On the 25th of September, 1888, Mr. Wills was 



married to Miss Nina IJlundon, of Charleston, 
West \''irginia, a daughter of Edgar B. and Sarah 
F. (Young) Blundon, and a granddaughter in 
the maternal line of John A'. Young, who was a 
captain in the Union army during the Civil war. 
In the paternal line she is a granddaughter of 
Mrs. Elizabeth (Micholson) Blundon, who was 
only two years old at the time the British entered 
^^'ashington in the war of 1812. The archives 
were taken from the capitol and other public 
building to her father's house and the family 
home was used as a hospital. She lived to the 
very venerable age of ninety-five years, having 
passed away in 1904. Three of her sons were 
soldiers in the Civil war and her grandfather was 
one of the heroes of the Revolution. 

Edgar B. Blundon father of Mrs. Wills, was a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, iden- 
tified with the West Virginia conference and his 
influence in behalf of the denomination was of no 
restricted order. He served his country as a 
loyal defender of the LTnion cause at the time of 
the Civil war and died in March. T873. leaving 
liehind him the influence of a noble life, whose ef- 
forts were far-reaching and beneficial. His widow 
still survives him and now makes her home in 
Charleston, W^est \'irginia. Mr. and ]Mrs. Wills 
have become the parents of two sons : Bernard 
I^ouis, who at the age of fourteen years is at- 
tended school, and Lawrence Blundon, five years 
of age. Mr. Wills fiecame a Mason in Lafayette 
lodge, at Fayetteville. West Alrginia, and has also 
affiliated with the Modern W'oodmen. while his 
religious belief has caused him to become a mem- 
ber of the ]\rethodist church. 



GREGORY H. SCH.VRF. 

Gregory H. Scharf is a typical representative 
of the spirit of the age — the spirit that has given 
.America pre-eminence along its various business 
lines and the undaunted enterprise, indomitable 
perseverance and resolute purpose which have 
ever characterized him have been the means of 
raising him from a position of comparative ob- 
scurity to one of prominence in Washtenaw 
county, commanding the admiration of commer- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



397 



cial circles. His labors, too, have been of much 
benefit in the development and snbstantial prog- 
ress of Ypsilanti. where since 1891 he has made 
his home. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1856, 
a son of Nicholas Scharf, whose birth occnrred in 
Baden. Germany, and who became a resident of 
Toledo in 1851. The father was the son of a 
linen weaver, and learning the trade he followed 
that pursuit in his native lan'd. He was the in- 
ventor of the "Schnell Schusz," meaning quick- 
shot motion of the shuttle, and having about the 
time of his marriage removed to a different part 
of the town he became known there as "Sch'iiell 
Schusz." This machine was a hand loom the 
adapting of which to machiner}' only being a 
short step easily and cjuickly accomplished by 
other minds. Mrs. Scharf, being a weaver's 
daughter and a weaver's wife, was privileged to 
attend the weavers' banquet in Germany, an an- 
nual affair at which only weavers were in at- 
tendance, there being only two women eligible 
when she was present. On coming to this coim- 
try Mr. Scharf turned his attention to the tailor's 
trade and likewise engaged in the manufacture of 
carpet rugs in the latter part of his life. 

Gregory H. Scharf had no special advantages 
in his youth but made the most of his opportuni- 
ties and such a course has been characteristic 
of his entire life. When a young man he learned 
the trade of wood carving but, meeting with 
an accident, he was obliged to discontinue 
work in that line and accepted a clerk- 
ship in a dry-goods store in Toledo. 
He was the originator of the Scharf Tag 
& Label Company, which was organized in 1887 
at Toledo and was there conducted by him as its 
general manager and the vice president of the 
company, which was incorporated at its organiza- 
tion. He continued in that line of business in 
Toledo until i8gi. when the controlling stock was 
purchased by the Ypsilanti Paper Box Company 
of Ypsilanti. The enterprise had become a profit- 
able one and when the transfer was made the two 
businesses were consolidated and the plant of the 
Scharf Tag & Label Company was brought to 
Ypsilanti. The business was merged under the 
firm name of the Scharf Tag, Label & Box Com- 
pany and was incorporated in iSqi, Mr. Scharf 
23 



still continuing as general manager and vice pres- 
ident, thus retaining his connection with the en- 
terprise until 1897, when he sold his interest and 
resigned his position. The business, however, 
had become a profitable industry and its worth as 
a promoter of the business prosperity of the city 
was widely acknowledged. Mr. Scharf how- 
ever, disposed of his interests in order to 
concentrate his energies upon other busi- 
ness enterprises. He had evolved, after 
much study and careful consideration of the 
question, ideas that t(X>k form in the invention of 
the Scharf smoke preventor and he organized a 
company for the manufacture of this device. In 
Kjoo the business was incorporated under the 
name of the G. H. Scharf Company, Gregory H. 
Scharf vice president and manager. In this line 
Mr. Scharf has evolved a device of the greatest 
practical value and benefit. The secret and prob- 
lem up to the time he placed his invention on the 
market were to get the igniting point down to the 
degree of heat found after firing. He solved this 
problem by introducing air and steam into the 
furnaces by automatic attachments. These 
formed with the hydro-carbons a water gas that 
burns at a low temperature. By this means the 
fuel that ordinarily goes up the smokestack heats 
the boiler. No other alleviator of the smoke nui- 
sance approaches the degree of excellence of the 
Scharf smoke preventor. The device came into 
general favor and the company is now repre- 
sented upon the road by several traveling sales- 
men and tliere is quite a large force of workmen 
employed in the operation of the plant in Ypsi- 
lanti. As a business proposition the smoke pre- 
ventor recommends itself to the users of coal, 
careful tests showing that there is a saving of 
from ten to fifteen per cent. The following things 
are claimed : Prevents ninety per cent, of the 
smoke : makes perfect combustion : keeps the 
boiler tubes practically clean ; increases the ca- 
pacity and efficiency of the boiler plant ; and de- 
creases the fuel bills at least ten per cent. That 
all this is done is shown by upwards of twelve 
hundred machines now in operation throughout 
the country. The business has long since become 
a profitable investment and its patronage is con- 
stantly increasing. 



398 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Mr. Scharf was married to Miss Alary A. 
Reader, who was born in New York state and 
died in i()04. He is a member of tlie Catholic 
church and is connected with the Maccabees and 
the Woodmen, while in his political views he is a 
democrat. He has never sou^'ht or desired office 
but his value as a citizen is equal if not superior to 
that of many who fill positions of public trust and 
respiinsibilit\- frnm the fact thai he has fathered 
a number of interests that have been of great ben- 
efit to his adopted city and his co-operation is 
S'iven til all measures for the general good. His 
advancement in life is not the outcome of propi- 
tious circumstances but the honest reward of 
labor, good nranagement. ambition and energy, 
Avithnut which un man can win prospcritv. 



.MARTI X J. SCHALLER. 

.Martin J. Schaller, whose record as a mer- 
chant of .\.nn Arbor dates from 1894 and is cred- 
itable because of his strict conformity to a high 
standard of commercial ethics, was born in Ba- 
varia, (iermany, January 14. 1870. His father, 
Anton Schaller, also a native of Germany, was 
for manv vears engaged in the manufacture of 
mirrors and he departed this life in 1895. His 
wife. .Mrs. Wall)urga Schaller. died in 1876. 
Thev are survived I)\- their six chililren : (ieorge, 
who is an artist of this city; .Mrs. llebby Veide- 
man. of -\nn Arlmr; Kate, who married Dr. John 
L. Schmid and is living in Nuremburg, Ger- 
manv ; Mrs. Nina Stadler, whose home is at 
Leon, Saxonv, Germany: Martin J., of this re- 
view; and Philip, a commercial traveler living 
at .Ann .\rbor. 

Martin J. Schaller spent the first fifteen years 
of his life in the land of his nativity and his edu- 
cation which was gained there was completed in 
the schools of Ann Arbor, where he located in 
1885. He afterward entered the employ of George 
r)sius & Compan)-. proprietors of a book store, in 
which he continued until 1889. when he went to 
New York city, where for three years he was 
connected with the well known firm of Rand. 
iMcNally & Company. On the expiration of that 



period he went abroad, spending two years in his 
native land, where he renewed many of the as- 
sociations of his early boyhood days. Coming 
again to the ITnited States, he once more took up 
his abode in .\nn .Arbor, where in 1894 he em- 
barked in business on his own account at No. 203 
East ^^'ashington street, remaining there until 
1897, when he removed to his present location at 
No. 116 .South Alain street, where he conducts an 
extensive book and news store, having one of 
the largest business interests of the kind in the 
city. His business afifairs are carefully managed, 
for he is watchful of all the indications of the 
trade, earnestly desiring to please his patrons and 
by reasonable prices and honorable dealing has 
secured a constantly growing business. 

In 1895 Mr. Schaller was married to Miss 
Bertha Weinman, of -Ann Arbor, and they have 
two children, Clarence .A., eight years old and 
Florence, about eight months old. Mr. Schaller 
is a Mason, his membership being with Golden 
Rule lodge. No. 159, A. F. & .A. M., and Ann 
.\rhor chapter, R. A. Al. He also affiliates with 
the Woodmen of America and the Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks, while his study 
of the political issues and questions of the day 
has led him to vote with the democratic party. 
He is also a member of the Zion Lutheran church. 
The business opportunities of the new world, 
wherein effort is not hampered by cast or class, 
have proved a profitable field of labor for Mr. 
Schaller, whose energy has enabled him to take 
advantage of business conditions and work his 
way u]:)war<I until he is miw recognized as one 
of the leading merchants of his ado])ted city. 



REUBEN P. SCHLEMIMER. 

Reuben P. Schlemmer. who conducts the -Vnn 
Arbor Carpet Cleaning \\'orks, is one of the 
young business men of the city wdio has already 
won a notable place in trade circles because of his 
close application and unfaltering energy. He was 
born in .Ann .Arbor. April 14, 1878. his parents 
being George and Katharine fTrautweinl 
Sehlemmer. who are represented on another page 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



399 



of this work in connection with the history of 
their son. Henry J. Schlemmer. Reared and cdn- 
cated in this city, he has always made his home 
here and for nine years was with the T'lufif Rujl;' 
Company. His business interests are now repre- 
sented by the Ann Arbor Carjjet Cleaning Works, 
his patronage having become extensive, so that he 
utilizes large floor space in an immense lauilding. 
He employs the latest improved machinery for 
carpet cleaning and carpets are there cleaned, 
made over and laid. 

In 1902 Mr. Schlemmer was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Gappa. of !\Ianchester, Washtenaw 
count}', and they have an interesting little daugh- 
ter. Eva Henrietta, now in her second vcar. Mr. 
Schlemmer is a member of the I-Iome Tniards and 
of the Bethlenem Cicrman I.utheran church and 
for nine years he was a member of the Knights 
Templar band of Ann Arbor, which indicates his 
musical talent and his imderstanding of the art. 
He is well known in the city where his entire life 
has been passed and he is now recognized as a 
prosperous young business man. wh<ise friends 
include many of his boyhood's acquaintances and 
those whom he has met in later vears. 



HON. ARTHUR J. WATERS. 

Hon. Arthur I. \\'aters. representative from 
his district to the state legislature, wherein he 
has made a creditable record by his advocac\- 
of reform mcivements and his opposition to mis- 
rule in public life, is a native son of .Man- 
chester, born in iSf^o. His father, hiliii Waters, 
was born in Eincolnshire, England, and in 1848 
came to the L'nited States, settling in .Manches- 
ter township. \\'ashtenaw county, upon a farm. 
He was one of the pioneer residents of this lo- 
cality and prospered in his busines undertakings, 
leaving a large estate at the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1896. when he was seventv- 
four years of age. He landed in Xew York with 
one gold sovereign in his pocket but by industrv 
and frugality became one of the .solid moncved 
men of his adopted county and was also influential 
and active in pulilic affairs. He voted with the 



republican party. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of .Alary jane Sutton, was born in 
Jackson county, Michigan, and died in October, 
1903, at the age of fifty-si.x years. Her parents 
were Rev. Richard and .\iui ( Matthews) Sut- 
ton, her father a minister of the Freewill Baptist 
church. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. John Waters were 
born three children: Nellie, now deceased; 
.\rthur J. : and ISelvia M., the wife of Ebon 
Horney. cashier of the Farmers' State Bank at 
Brooklyn, Jackson county, Michigan. By a 
previous marriage the father had four children: 
"William, a farmer, of Leslie, this state: Editha, 
the wife of P.. J. ( iuiett. a liveryman of Jack- 
son. Michig-an: Sarah .\nn. the wife of Edwin 
Antcliii'. a farmer of Livingston county. ]\Iichi- 
gan ; and John, a real-estate dealer of Adrian, 
Michigan. 

Reared in his parents' home, Arthur J. Waters, 
at the usual age, entered the schools of Man- 
chester and passed through successive grades 
until he was graduated from the hi,gh school. 
He afterward eng-aged in teaching school for 
three terms and then in t888 entered the law 
department of the Michigan University at Ann 
Arbor, from which he was graduated in the class 
of 1890. He located for practice in his native 
village and has been very successful here in the 
conduct of his legal business, being accorded 
a large and distinctively representative clientage 
that has connected him with much of the im- 
portant litigation tried in the courts of his dis- 
trict. He was also one of the organizers and is 
n<jw a director of the L^nion Savings Bank of 
Manchester. He likewise owns three hundred 
acres of land constituting the old famih- home- 
stead and other lands. 

On the 9th of June, 1895, Mr. Waters was 
married to Miss Cora L. Halladay, a daughter 
of T. B. and Jennie Halladay and a native of 
Norvell. Jackson county. Michigan, born De- 
cember 21. 1 87 1. Her parents were natives of 
Xew York and at an early day came to Michi- 
gan, where the father followed the occupation 
of farming. Mrs. Halladay bore the maiden 
name of Jennie Blanchard and was of English 
descent. Mr. and Mrs. Waters have but one 
child. Gaita Louise. Mrs. Waters belongs to 



400 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the Baptist church and occupies a prominent 
position in .sucial circles of the city. Mr. 
Waters liolds nienihership retatiuns with the 
Masons, the Ancient Order of L'nited Workmen 
and the Modern Brotherhood and is also a 
Granger. His political support is unfalteringly 
given to the republican party and he is recog- 
nized as one of its leaders in this [lart f)f the 
state, having made a thorough and compre- 
hensive study of the issues of the day and his 
knowledge, added to his public spirited devotion 
to the general welfare, makes him well worth}' 
of the trust that has been reposed in him through 
his election to various offices. He was village 
president for two terms and city attorney for six 
years and in 1904 was elected to the state legis- 
lature, becoming an active working member of 
the Ikjusc. He is the author of a number of bills, 
including the primary reform bill, which he pre- 
sented and valiantly supported. A bill was passed 
during that session which embodied certain fea- 
tures of Mr. Water's bill. He is a strong advocate 
of the election of L'nited States senators by popu- 
lar vote and is an i^rator of recognized abilit\'. 
who has been heard u])on many of the questions 
and issues of the day, his audiences listening to 
him with attentive interest. He possesses worthy 
ambitions, is recognized as an aljle lawyer, a fine 
speaker, a valued citizen and is well liked be- 
friends and neighbors. He is a member of the re- 
publican central committee of Washtenaw county 
and has taken a most active and helpful part in 
the work of the party, frequently presiding at its 
conventions. Mr. Waters is a great lover of out- 
door sports, finding much pleasure as w'ell as rest 
from arduous professional and political labor in 
fishiu"- and huntiu"-. 



TOHX M. BRAUN. 



The attractiveness of Washtenaw eomitv as a 
place of residence is indicated by the fact that 
many of its native sons liave spent their entire 
lives here, content with its opportunities and ])riv- 
ileges and enjoying the many advantages altordecl 
in this part of the state. 'J'o this class belongs 



John M. liraun. lie was born in Ann Arbor, 
August i(), 1843. his parents being John and Anna 
Maria ( Eberhardt ) Braun. The father was a na- 
tive of Wurtemberg, (iermany, and came to 
America in 1S3'). \'>y trade he was a mason and 
1k' w orki'd in Ami Arbor in that line for fourteen 
years in jjarlnership with a ,Mr. Shoemaker. They 
were contractors and erected many of the leading 
buildings of Aim Arbor at that day. In 1852, 
however, Mr. Braun withdrew from building op- 
erations and purchased eighty acres of land in 
Scio township, whereon he resided for eight 
years, when he sold that ])ro])erty and in i860 
became the owner of one hundred and eighty 
acres on section 5, Ann Arbor township. To that 
tract he afterward added sixty acres, so that he 
became the owner of two hundred and forty acres 
of rich and productive land. He was a prosper- 
ous agricultm-ist, earrxing on general farming in 
a capable manner that resulted in the acquirement 
of a comfortable competence. He died January 
(). 1876. while his wife, who had come from Ger- 
many to America in 1837, jiassed away March 
1 1 , 1894, 

John .M. r.raun pursued his education in the 
schools of .Ann Arbor and .Scio township. He as- 
sisted his father in the operation of the home 
farm and there remained up to the time of his 
marriage, which was celebrated April 17, 1879, 
Miss Caroline R, Ivapp becoming his wife. She 
was a daniihter of Christian Kai>i). of Northfield 
township. This marriage has been blessed with 
one child, Athniel J., who was born February 
iS, 1S85, and is assisting his father in the farm 
w iirk, 

-Mr, lirann jiurchased one hundred and fort\' 
acres of land on section 5, Ann Arbor township, 
in 1875, and as his financial resources increased 
he added to the property until he now owns two 
hundred acres, a small part of which lies across 
the boimdary line in Northfield township. He has 
carried on general farming and feeds his grain to 
his stock. Tn 1893 'i^ started his orchard and at 
the present time he has three thousand peach 
trees, eight hundred apple trees, one hundred pear 
trees and fifty cherry trees. His is a splendidly 
improved propert\'. He has a fine residence upon 
tlie place and large barns, one of which is sixty- 




1. .M. IlRArX. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



403 



eight by thirty-eight feet and the other forty by 
twenty feet. He also has a shed eighty liy twenty 
feet and there is a tenant's house iijion the [ilace. 
for he employs a man throughnut the year to aid 
him in the work of the farm. Jn all that he un- 
dertakes he is thorough, systematic ami ])raetical 
and is recognized as one nf the must successful 
farmers of the localitw 

In his [lolitics Mr. liraun is an earnest demo- 
crat, liut liberal in his views, having given his 
suppiirt til that party since age gave to him the 
right of franchise. He has served as justice of 
the peace for sixteen years, filling the office at the 
present time for the fourth term. He has also 
been a member of the school board for eighteen 
years and is greatly interested in religious work, 
holding membershi]! in the Zion Lutheran church 
of Ann Arbor, (_)f which he is now one of the 
elders. His life has been honorable, his actions 
manly and sincere, and in the coimt\ where he 
has ahva\-s lived he has won the favorable regard 
and friendshi]) of man\ with whom he has come 
in contact. 



JOHN W. TT.LI. 

It is a notable fact in the history of Ann Arbor 
and Washtenaw county that many of its repre- 
sentative citizens are of German birth or lineage 
and the material, intellectual and moral progress 
of this portion of the state is attributable in large 
measure to the representatives of the Teutonic 
race. To this class belongs Air. Illi. who was 
born on the 9th of .\ugust, 1866, in Wurtem- 
berg, his parents being George and Barbara 
(Stowl) Illi. In the year 1888 they bade adieu 
to friends in the fatherland and sailed for the 
new world, arriving here five years after their 
son John crossed the Atlantic. The father was 
a farmer by occupation, carrying on agricultural 
pursuits throughout his entire business career. 
His death occurred in December, 1896, while 
his widow is yet living, her home being in .\iui 
.\rbor. The) became the parents of eight chil- 
dren and the famil\' history is notable in that 
there has never been a death among the sons and 
daughters of this household. Paulina is now 



Airs. Kies. Gottlob, proprietor of a saloon. Airs. 
.Annie A'etter, William, a baker, Mrs. Carrie 
Feinkbeiner. Mrs. Mary Hettler and Mrs. Ma- 
tilda Kurtz are all residents of Ann Arbor. 

John W. Illi secured his education in the fa- 
therland, where he remained until seventeen years 
of age, when in 1883 he came to the United 
States. The reports which he hail heard con- 
cerning luisiness opportunities were most favor- 
able and he determined to enjox the superior ad- 
vantages afforded in .\merica. Making his way 
to Ann Arbor, he entered the bakery of Mr. 
Hendrickson on State street and learned the 
trade and when he had thoroughly mastered the 
business and had secured funds by savings from 
his earnings sufficient to enable him to embark in 
business on his own account he established a 
large bakery at No. 116 West Washington street. 
Three years have since passed and his trade has 
constantly grown imtil he is now conducting a 
big business which is most satisfactory in its 
extent and profits. 

In 1880 John W. Illi was niarrie<l to Bar- 
bara Kraut and they have two daughters: Clara 
Anna, who is assisting her father in the busi- 
ness; and Ida, yet a stu<lent in school. The par- 
ents and their children are members of the 
Bethlehem German Evangelical church. Mr. 
Illi is independent politically, while socially he 
is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees 
and the Arbeiter Verein, a local ( ierman .society. 
The hope that led him to seek a home in America 
has been more than realized. He found busi- 
ness conditions which have led him to success 
and has also gained here a large circle of friends,, 
so that for many years he has had the deepest 
attachment for his adopted l.-md, her institutions 
and her people. 



J. GOT'ri'RIFD BECK. 

J. Gottfried Beck, deceased, was a represent- 
ative of the old Beck family of Scio township 
and was born in that township .March 18. 1839. 
his parents being Jacob and Catherine ( Beck) 
Heck. The father with his parents and the other 



404 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



members of the family emigrated to America 
ahnit 1832 and made their way chrect to Wash- 
tenaw connty. where the grandfather of our sub- 
ject purchased a farm lying in Scio township. It 
was all covered with timber which he cleared 
away and after preparing the land for the plow he 
engaged in general agricultural pursuits up to the 
time of his death. His son Jacob afterward took 
charge of the home farm and was thus actively 
identified with general agricultural pursuits in 
Scio township for many years. Eventually, how- 
ever, he sold the farm to his son Gottfried and 
removed to the citv of Ann Arbor, where he lived 
retired. He purchased twenty acres of land 
which was then at the edge of the city but is now 
on west Liberty street. There he built a large 
brick residence making it his home until the time 
of his demise, his wife also passing away there. 
While residing in Ann Arbor he had no business 
cares Init enjoyed the rest which he had truly 
earned and richly deserved. 

J. Gottfried Beck pursued his education in the 
countrv schools of Scio townshi]) and during the 
periods of vacation assisted in the labors of the 
home farm, early becoming familiar with the 
duties of field and meadow. He continued to 
assist his father until the latter's removal to Ann 
Arbor, when Mr. Beck, of this review, purchased 
the old homestead. He had been married to Miss 
Mary Dorothea Laubengayer, a native of this 
county and a daughter of John U. and Barbara 
(Hess) Laubengayer, both natives of Germany, 
whence they came to America about 1832, settling 
in Freedom township, this county. Here the 
father engaged in farming for a few years, after 
which he took up his abode in Scio township, 
where he carried on general agricultural pursuits 
until his death. His wife also died on that place. 
Mr. ;ni(l ^frs. Heck became the parents of six 
children, but only two are now living: Armenia, 
the wife of Joseph Burkhardt, a farmer residing 
in Lodi townshij). this count)' ; and Otillie, who 
has always made her home with her mother. 
Those deceased are: Herman Jacob. Annie Ma- 
tilda. John Oscar David and Martha Dorothea. 

.Vfter his marriage Mr. Beck resided 
upon the old homestead in Scio township 
and carried mi die work of field and 



meadow. He owned a large farm there 
which he brought to a high state of cultivation, 
so that he annually harvested good crops. He 
also owned a threshing machine wdiich he oper- 
ated throughout the county, doing a good busi- 
ness in that line. He continued upon the home 
farm until his death, passing away on the 19th of 
April, i88q, in the house in which he was born. 
He lived an upright, honorable life characterized 
by activity, industry and integrity and those who 
knew him respected him for his genuine worth. 
He held several minor townshi]:) offices in Scio 
township and was a democrat in politics. His 
religious faith was indicated bv his membership 
in the German Lutheran church of Scio township 
and his widow and daughter now belong to the 
German Lutheran church in .Vnn Arbor. Both 
the iJeclc and Laubengayer families are well 
known among the pioneer German residents of 
Washtenaw county. After the death of her hus- 
band Mrs. Beck resided upon the farm for a few 
\ears but in 1896 sold that property and removed 
to Ann Arbor, building her present residence at 
Xo. 532 South First street, where she and her 
daughter now make their home. 



JOHN B. EH^.LER. 



John B. Eibler. whose jewelry establishment 
is one of the productive mercantile investments of 
Ann ArLior, claims the fatherland as his nativity, 
his birth having occurred in Wurtemberg, on the 
I9tli of March, 1855. His parents were Joseph 
and Mar\- ( Hukley) Eibler, and the father fol- 
lowed the occupation of fanning. He died in 
the year 1876, and for sime time was survived 
by his widow, who passed away in 1898. Tn their 
family were five children : George. Agatha. 
Anna and Joseph, all of whom are residents of 
Germany ; and John B. 

In accordance with the public-school system of 
his native land John B. Eibler acquired his edu- 
cation and later he learned the trade of a jeweler 
and watchmaker, becoming an expert in those 
lines. Crossing the Atlantic to .America in 1883, 
when tweiitv-eight \'ears of age. he took up his 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



405 



abode in Ann Arbor and here secured a position 
in a jewelry store, where he remained for twenty 
years, a most trusted employe, whose capable 
service was entirely satisfactory to the house 
which he represented. He is now proprietor of 
a jewelry store at No. 109 West Liberty street, 
and carries a well selected line of goods and also 
does expert watch and jewelry repairing. He 
established the luisiness about a year ago and 
many of the patrons of the house with which he 
was formerly connected have given him their 
trade because he had won their warm friendship 
and good will. 

In 1884 Mr. Eibler was married to Miss Mary 
Schlenker, of Germany, and their children are 
four ill lumiher : Rudolph, who is associated in 
iDusiness with his father ; Erwin, who is in school ; 
AN'alter and Herbert. Mr. Eililer is a member of 
the .Xncii'iit Order of United Workmen, and has 
served as president, secretary and treasurer, of 
the Harugari society, while his political ballot 
supports the men and measures of the democracy. 
Pie has never had cause to regret his determina- 
tion to seek a home in the new world and with 
local interets in his ado])ted land he is known 
here a> a worth}- citizen and lias already made 
for himself a creditable name in his mercantile 
circles. 



EMANUEL L. SCHNEIDER. 

This is a utilitarian age — an era of business ac- 
tivity in which energy is directed toward the de- 
velopment of labor saving devices and of con- 
veniences which add to the comforts of life. No 
country has made such rapid strides in invention 
as has the United States and Mr. Schneider has 
contributed to the sum total of American produc- 
tion along these lines. He has for the past eleven 
years conducted an extensive plumbing business 
at the corner of Third and Liberty streets under 
the name of the West Side Plumbing Shop, and 
in this connection he has perfected a number of 
inventions, the value of which is proven by a 
ready and extensive sale on the general market. 

A native son of Ann Arbor, Mr. Schneider was 
l)orn May 2, 1864. His father, John Schneider, 



became a resident of Michigan in 1847, and re- 
moved to this city in 1852. He was of German 
birth and was a blacksmith by trade. He mar- 
ried -\nna Maria Stein, who was brought to Ann 
.\rbor in 1839, when only six years of age. John 
Schneider departed this life in January, 1902, in 
the faith of the Lutheran church, of which he 
had long been a member, and he is still survived 
by his wife, who yet makes her home in .\nn Ar- 
bor. Mr. Schneider had ten children, the living 
members of the family being : John, Frederick, 
who is now living retired in Jackson, Michig-;!!! ; 
Mrs. Elizabeth Attzenhofer, of Jackson : Jacob, 
a wagonmaker, of Ann Arbor ; Emanuel L. ; 
Pauline: William R,, who is engaged in the 
|ilumliiiig liusiness in this city; Mrs. Amelia Illi, 
of Ann .\rbor: and Mrs. Bertha Hoefer, who also 
resides in Ann .\rbor. Christine died November 
7. i')05. 

At the usual age Emanuel L. Schneider en- 
tered the ]iul)lic schools and passed successively 
through the different grades of the primary, 
grammar and high schools, thus acquiring a 
good practical education, afttr which he entered 
u]>iin his business career as an employe of the 
firm of Ilutzel & Company, plumbers of Ann Ar- 
b(.)r, in whose service he remained for five years 
beginning in 1879. During that time he thor- 
oughly mastered the trade in every department, 
becoming an expert workman ; and he subse- 
quently removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, 
where for eight years he conducted business on 
his own account. Returning to this city in 1894. 
he established a large plumbing business at the 
Corner of Third and Liberty streets, his establish 
ment being known as the West Side Plumbing 
Shop. His patronage is extensive and ^vell mer- 
ited because of the excellence of workmanshii- 
and the honorable business methods of the pro- 
prietor. Mr. Schneider keeps in touch with the 
improvements that are continually being made 
in the line of plumbing, and is himself the in- 
ventor of several devices in the way of bath 
heaters. He has given to the world Schneider's 
Instantaneous Bath Heater whereby artificial or 
natural gas is used in the heating of water. .\ 
company has been organized for its manufacture 
under the name of the Schneider Closet &• Heater 



4o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Com])any, and already the sale has reached large 
proportions, for the utility and value of this in- 
vention is easily demonstrated. 

In 1887 Air. .Schneider was united in marriage 
to Miss Christine Stein, of Adrian, a daughter of 
Mathias Stein, a pioneer of Michigan, who died 
in 1882. Her mother, who bore the maiden name 
of Eva Mary Haist, is living in Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, Unto to Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have 
been born three children : Leota, Hugo and Me- 
lita, aged nine, six and three years respectively. 
They have an attractive home which adjoins the 
large building that Mr. Schneider occupies for 
his business. He is a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows society and the D. O. H., Golden Rule lodge, 
Xo. 159, A. F. & A. M., and the Knights of the 
Alaccabees, having become captain in the uni- 
formed rank of the last named. He is likewise 
identified with several German societies, and with 
the Bethlehem Evangelical church, while in his 
political views he is a stanch democrat. In ii^oo 
he was chosen supervisor of the second ward 
and served for one term. He has the qualities 
which make him pojiular with a large circle of 
friends, and is especiall\ well known in German- 
American circles cf the city. His devotion to 
the ])ublic welfare is manifest in his heartv and 
earnest co-operation in movements for the gen- 
eral good, but his chief interest centers upon his 
business, wherein he has made steady progress, 
his methods being in entire harnimn- with ,1 high 
standard of commercial ethics. 



rilll.ll' IILUM. 



Philip lilum, an attorney practicing at the .\nn 
-Xrbor bar, was born in \\'ashtena\v count\', June 
7, 1862, his parents being Phili]) and Catherine 
Blum, both of whom were natives of Germany, 
whence they came to .America in early life, about 
the year 1837, the former at the age of sixteen, 
the latter at the age of thirteen. Their respective 
families settled in ^^■ashtenaw county, and Thilip 
Blum, Sr.. having acquired a comnKin-schdol edu- 
cation learned and followed the blacksmith's 
trade, as he preferred that to the butcher's trade. 



which he had learned in Germany, making the 
occupation of a blacksmith his life work with the 
exception of the four years that he was countv 
treasurer of Washtenaw. He died at the age of 
seventy-seven \ears, while his wife passed away 
at the age of fifty-six years. 

They were the parents of five children, all yet 
living: hrank, a resident of Detroit: Airs. Marv 
Geddes, of Lodi township, Washtenaw countv : 
George, a resident oi .A.nn .\rhor: Airs. Clara 
O'Hara, of Saline, Alichigan; and Philip. 

In the common schools Phili]i I '.him began his 
education and after passing the examination 
which admitted him to the I'nivcrsitv of Alich- 
igan he became a student in the law department 
in 1895. He had perviously read law extensivelv 
imder jirivatc tutelage and ha<l thus mastered 
many of the principles which constitutes an im- 
portant part of the curriculum. He was gradu- 
ated in the class of 1896, after having completed 
the full course. In Xovember of the same vear 
he entered upon the duties of deputy county clerk 
for a term of four years, after which he was 
elected and ser\'ed for two terms as count\- clerk 
of Washtenaw county. He retired from that 
office on the 31st of December, 1904, and on the 
1st of January, 1905, he entered upon the private 
l)ractice of law with an office in the .\nn Arbor 
Savings Bank Building. His attention is now de- 
voted exclusively to his legal interests and a lib- 
eral patronage has been accorded liini with much 
of the important litigation tried in the courts of 
this district. 

< )n the 13th of February, iSgc), Mr. Blum was 
married to Aliss Alabel E. AA'allace, of Lodi, a 
daughter of Timothy Wallace, a farmer of Lodi 
townshi]). Her mother bore the maiden name of 
Carrie \'reeland. .Mr. \\"allace was a native of 
Canada and when twehe years of age came to 
Washtenaw connU- with his parents, so that he 
was numbered among the pioneer settlers of this 
part of the state. Llis mother is \'et living in Lodi 
at the advanced age of eighty-eight years but Air. 
Wallace passed away at the age of forty-seven 
years, his remains being interred in Lodi cem- 
etery. His widow still survives him and has now 
reached the age of fift\-nine. Air. and Airs. Wal- 
lace became the parents of seven children, of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTS 



407 



whom three are hvin^': Mabel E. ; Mrs. Hope 
Taylor, of Chelsea ; and \'iolet W'allace, living at 
Ann Arbor. Those deceased are Frederick, who 
died at the age of six months : X'iola, at the age of 
twelve years ; Faith, when eight years of age ; and 
Charity, aged five. In earl}- womanhood Mrs. 
ISlum engaged in teaching in the schools of \\'ash- 
tenaw county for eight }-ears. and for fom- _\-ears 
she acted as deputy county clerk under her hus- 
band. 

Mr. Blum is a democrat in his political views 
but has never sought or desired office save that of 
county clerk. He is a valued member of various 
civic organizations, belonging to Fraternity lodge, 
No. 262, A. F. & A. M. : Washtenaw chapter. No. 
6, R. A. M.; Union council, No. 11. R. S. M. ; 
Ann Arbor commandery. No. 13, K. T. ; and 
Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.. at Detroit, 
Michigan: .\nn .\rbor chapter. No. 122, (). E. S. 
Fie is past master of Fraternity lodge. No. 262 : 
the present high priest of the chapter; and junior 
warden of the commandery ; and the present 
worthy patron of Ann Arbor chapter, O. E. S. 
He is also a member of the Maccabees, the Mod- 
ern Woodmen and the American Fisurance 
Union. 

In .March, 1905, Mr. Blum formed a law part- 
enrshi]) with George W. Sample, under the firm 
name of Blum & Sample, attorneys at law. Mr. 
Blum's attention is now- devoted exclusively to the 
practice of law and his life record is in contradis- 
tinction to the old adage that a prophet is never 
without honor save in his own country, for in the 
locality in which his entire life has been passed 
Mr. lilum has gained signal recognition as one of 
its leading citizens and representative lawyers 
having so directed his eiiforts and exercised his 
talents as to win creditable standing in profes- 
sional circles and in citizenship. 



ALFRED C. SCHAIRER. 

.Mfred L'. Schairer. whose interest in the in- 
tellectual and moral as well as material de- 
velopment of .\nn Ai-1i(ir makes his a well 
rounded character, while his energy pronipts his 
active co-operation in these various lines of ac- 



tiyit\-, was born in Scio township. Washington 
county, nn the 25th of October, 1874. His father, 
John Schairer, w-as born in Cermany and was 
onlv eight years of age w-hen brought to Michi- 
gan. Reared to manhood in this state, he event- 
ually began farming on his own account and 
owned and operated ninety acres of land on the 
Jackson territory road. He married Rose Meyer 
and both have now departed this life. In their 
family were eleven children, of whom nine are 
yet living: Frank, a farmer residing in Lima 
township : Mrs. William Stierle, w-hose husbai-id 
is an agriculturist of Scio : Jacob and William, 
who follow farming in Scio township : ^Irs. 
George Heppler, who is living in Ann Arbor 
tow-nship: Sin-ion, a merchant of Dexter, Wash- 
tenaw county : Mattie, living in Ann Arbor : Al- 
fred C. of this review : and Clara of this city. 

.\lfred C. Schairer at the usual age entered the 
district schools and was a student in Scio town- 
ship until nine years of age, after which he coi-i- 
tinued his studies ii-i Lima tow-nship imtil fifteen 
years of age. .\t that time he came to Ann Ar- 
bor and entered the city schools. His connection 
with the printing business began as an employe 
of the Inland Press, remaining with that house 
until about ripo, when in connection with 
Messrs. Gates & Kerr he established the 
Athens Press in the .Athens Theatre building, just 
north of the Ann .\rbor postoffice. The con-ipany 
has large quarters on the n-iain floor, and are 
printers of general commercial and society work, 
pamphlets, booklets, etc. The .Athens Press is 
noted for its high class work, its thorough relia- 
bility and its continuous progress in keeping with 
the i-nost advanced ideas of the industrial art. Mr. 
Schairer has a thorough and practical under- 
.standing of the trade and in the development and 
growth of the enterprise he has put forth earnest 
purpose guided by laudable an-ibition and sound 
judgment. 

On the 25th of August, i8c)8, Mr. Schairer was 
married to Miss Lydia Staeliler, of Ann Arbor 
township, and thev have a little daughter, Esther, 
who, at the age of six' vears, is now attending 
school. 

Mr. Schairer takes a deep interest in those con- 
cerns which etYect humanity and the betterment 
of the race. He has been corresponding secre- 



4o8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tary of the local Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion and for three years was one of its board of 
directors. The association has fine new quarters 
in a beautiful brick structure, and the organiza- 
tion has a large and growing membership. Mr. 
Schairer belongs to the Fiethlehem church and 
has been a co-operate factor in many activities 
promoting the moral development of the com- 
munity. He is a man of kindly sympathy, of 
ready charity and benevolent disposition, and 
while he is conducting a business of considerable 
extent and importance and meeting therein a 
justly merited and gratifying success, he is never 
so bus}' but that he can find time to devote to 
church or religious work. He is always willing to 
extend to any one the courtesy of an interview, 
and his ready sympathy has made him greatly be- 
loved by many who have benefited bv his assist- 
ance. Fraternally he is connected with the Wood- 
men of America, while his political relation is 
with the republican party. 



TABEZ BACON. 



Jabez Bacon, president and general superin- 
dent of the Bacon Co-operative Company at 
Chelsea, has made a record in keeping with mod- 
em ideas of commercialism and business enter- 
prise. He was born in .Somersetshire, England, 
in 1850, a son of John and .\nne fPord) Bacon. 
The father was a minister of the Methodist 
church, and both he and his wife have passed 
away. In his native country Jaljez Bacon spent 
the period of his minority acquiring his education 
in the public schools and learning the lessons of 
life that have qualified him to meet practical du- 
ties and responsibilities in later years. 

In August, 1871, he bade adieu to home and 
native land and sailed for the United States, be- 
lieving that he might enjoy superior business ad- 
vantages in this coimtry. He came at once to 
Chelsea to visit an old friend here and soon af- 
terward entered the employ of C. H. Kempf, with 
whom he continued for a year, when he became a 
partner in the firm of Kempf, Bacon & Company, 



dealers in luml)er and produce. That association 
was continued until 1879, when he became one of 
the organizers of the firm of J. Bacon & Com- 
pany, dealers in hardware and farm implements 
on .Middle street. Thus he carried on business 
until i88i>. when he became a silent partner in the 
firm i)f Ilocg & Holmes, and thus still continued 
in tlir lianlware Inisiness. He was connected 
with the trade imder the style of the Hoeg- 
Holmes Company until 1902, when he withdrew 
and organized the Bacon Co-operative Company, 
I if which he is the president and general superin- 
tendent. 'J'lie other officers are : John J. Woods, 
vice-president, and Alvin D. Baldwin, secretary 
and treasiu'er. They handle hardware, crockery, 
furniture and farm implements and have a three- 
story business block, and also a warehouse for 
stnring the farm machiner\'. The conipan\- was 
organized and the business instituted bv Mr. 
r.acou, who has, however, since been joined by a 
number of farmers in a co-operative company. 

In 1874 Mr. Bacon was united in marriage to 
Miss Eliza Flook, a daughter of Mrs. Mary 
HiKik, a native of England. They have become 
the parents of twelve children: Anne. Benjamin 
F., Nellie J., Marie H., Edith C, Mabel E., 
George S., Grace P., Reynolds, Dorothy L.. Don- 
ald and John. Of this family Nellie departed 
this life in 1904. but the others are all yet living. 
Mr. Ilaci.in has a nice home in Chelsea, and the 
fami!\' occupy an enviable position in social 
circles. 

( in coming to America. Mr. Bacon took out 
his naturalization papers and has always been 
a loyal citizen of liis adopted land. There is no 
one more faithful to the interests and institutions 
of this country or with more sincere attachment 
to the stars and stripes. He has always been a 
republican, and for twelve years served on the 
school board, while for two years he was a mem- 
ber of the village council. He belongs to Olive 
lodge. No. 136, .\. F. & A. M., Olive chapter, No. 
140. R. .\. M., the ]\Iaccabees tent, of which he is 
past commander, and is also master workman of 
the .\ncient Order of United Workmen. Such 
is the record of a man who has worked his way 
upward from an obscure position to one of promi- 
nence in the comnumitv, where he has so long 




jAHEZ BACON. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



4n 



residcil. Xnr have his labors been selfishly con- 
centrated npiin measures for his own benefit 
alone, for in citizenship he has manifested a pub- 
lic spirit and patriotism that have been of direct 
good to the villag"e. 



CHAUXCEY Hl'^l^FEL. 

Chaunce\- Hummel, well known as a traveling 
salesman wliose business ability, genial manner 
and unfailing courtesy have made him both popu- 
lar and successful, was born in Lyndon township, 
Washtenaw county, on the 1 2th of September. 
1856. and since 1886 has made his home in Chel- 
sea. His jiarents were Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Erban) Hummel. The father was born near 
Strassburg, Germany, and came to this country 
about 1852, making his way at once to Michigan. 
He was married in Detroit, where he spent about 
one year and later resided for two years in Lyn- 
don township. In the spring of 1857 he removed 
to Cook county, Illinois, where he resided for 
four years and on the e.xpiration of that period 
he took tip his abode in .\llen county, Kansas, 
where he owned and operated a farm, but on 
accoimt of ill health he returnetl to Michigan, 
again arriving in this state about i8C)3. For a 
time he Avas employed at farm labor in Lyndon 
township and also rented land there, after which 
he purchase<l with his savings a small tract of 
land of three acres, on which he built a residence. 
There he lived for a number of years and in 
1876 he bought eighty acres of land nn which 
he continued to make his home until about i88q. 
In that year he took up his abode in Chelsea and 
in the meantime, in 1885, he had sold the farm 
to his son Chauncey. Mr. Hummel continued 
a resident of this village up to the time of his 
death on the 7th of .\ugust, 1903, while his wife 
passed away on the third of December. 1890. Tn 
their family were six children: John, who died 
in Kansas at the age of seven years : Chaunce\- : 
Jacob: Elizabeth : Mary .\. : and [ohn I., a molder 
by trade. 

Reared under the parental roof Chaimcev 
Hummel actiuired his education in the district 



schools of Lyndon township and after putting 
aside his text-books he worked by the month for 
eleven years. In 1S86 he entered the employ of 
Jabez Bacon, with whom he was associated for a 
}'ear and in 1887 he went upon the road as a 
traveling salesman for the Champion Machine 
Companv. of Springfield, Ohio. He was with 
that company for three years and then entered 
the employ of the Buckeye IMachine Company, 
with which he continued for four or five years. 
He next became traveling representative for the 
.McCormick Harvester Company and continued 
upon the road until 1904. Since the tst of Janu- 
ary. 1905. he has been engaged in selling cement. 
He has ever enjoyed the full confidence of the 
houses which he has represented and as a business 
man is alert, enter]3rising and progressive. 

Since 1886 Mr. Hummel has made his home in 
Chelsea and was married on the 12th of January. 

1886. to I\Iiss Kate Foster, a daughter of Michael 
and Madeline ( Stapish ) Foster, of Sylvan town- 
ship. Her father came to Michigan from Baden, 
Germany, in the early "40s, and purchased one 
hundred and forty acres of land in Lima town- 
shi]) known as the Gates farm, while his home 
was over the boundary line in Chelsea. He lived 
upon this farm for several years and then traded 
it for <;)ne hundred and fort\- acres of land in 
.Sylvan townshi|i. He afterwarfl liought sixty- 
se\en acres additional, .so that he had an e.xten- 
sivi' and valuable farming property of two hun- 
dred and seven acres upon which he made his 
home for thirty years. He was widely recog- 
nized as one of the prominent an influential men 
I if his da\-. especiall)- in agricultural circles, and 
his his life proved what may be accomplished 
through close attention and earnest devotion to 
the work of the farm. He died in December, 

1887, "^t the age of sixty-seven years. His wife, 
who was also a native of Germany, died in T904, 
and following the death of her husband in T887 
she continued the management of the farm with 
the assistance of her sons until 1899, when she 
removed to Chelsea and bought a fine home on 
( )rchard street, in which Mr. Hummel and his 
family now reside, it being now owned by him. 
ISy his first marriage .Mr. Foster had six children: 
Marv, Tohn. Clara, Elizabeth. Charles and Eve- 



412 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Ivn. He was married a second time and by that 
union also had six children : Katherine M., now 
the wife of Mr. Hummel; E. J., of Grass Lake; 
Romaine, deceased ; Herbert A. and A. E., twins, 
the former of Mount Pleasant and the latter of 
Owosso ; and Germania, of Grass Lake. The 
four brothers are partners in the hardware, furni- 
ture and undertakinc: business, in charge of stores 
where they reside. 

In politics Mr. Foster was a stanch democrat 
and was justice of the peace for several terms, 
during which time he discharged the duties of 
the office without fear or favor, his decisions 
being based upon the law and equity in the case. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hummel has been 
blessed with four children, but they lost their 
first born, Rolland J., at the age of ten years. 
The others are : Hazel and Walter E., who are 
living; and Gertrude M.. who died at the age ot 
four years. Mr. Hummel gives his political alle- 
giance to the democracy and for four years served 
as deputy sherifif under Charles Dwyer. He is 
a member of the Catholic church, the Knights of 
Columbus, the Elks lodge, the German Arbeiter 
and the United Commercial Travelers' Associa- 
tion. His geniality, deference for the opinions of 
others and social nature have rendered him popu- 
lar wherever he has gone and he is one of the 
best known traveling men of Michigan with a 
very wide circle of warm friends. 



CHARLES H. MAJOR. 

Charles H. iMajor, contractor for and dealer in 
wall paper, paints, oils, and in fact everything 
coimected with the decorator's art, was born in 
the state of New York, August 8, i860. His 
father, Henry Major, was a carpenter and builder 
and died in December, 1893, while his wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Ellen O'Keefe, passed 
away in 1894. 

Charles H. Major, the only son, was a public- 
school student in Cuba, Allegany county. New 
York, and afterward became equipped for the 
duties of commercial life by a course in the Clin- 
ton P.usincss College. He subsequently spent two 



years at home and then embarked in business in 
Bulifalo, New York, entering the employ of M. 
H. Birge & Sons, of that city, controlling an im- 
mense trade in the manufacture of wall paper, 
colors, etc. With this house Mr. Major learned 
the details of the business and began his work as 
a decorator in Buffalo. He put on the first ceil- 
ing paper hung in that city. Coming to the 
middle west he entered the employ of John J. 
McGrath, of Chicago, the largest jobber of wall 
paper in the city at that time. The house after- 
ward suffered from a fire, entailing a loss of two 
hundred anrl fifty thousand dollars, and Mr. Ma- 
jor at this time entered the employ of S. A. 
Maxwell & Companv. with whom he continued 
for five years, after which he went to Michigan 
City with the firm of Woodson & Cook for four 
years. Arriving in Ann .-Vrljor in 1889 he was 
for one }'ear in the em])loy of H. M. Randall, 
dealer in wall paper on Huron street, and he 
continued in that house when Mr. Randall was 
succeeded by the firm of Moore & Taber. and also 
with the partnership of ]\foore & ^Vetmore for 
seven vears. He embarked in business on his own 
account in 1897 at his present location, 203 East 
^^'ashington street. He takes contracts for high 
class decorating and carries a complete line of im- 
ported and domestic wall ]iaper, paints, oils, 
glass, moldings, window shades and. in fact, 
everything known to the decorator's art. He em- 
ploys thirty men and has the remarkable record 
of keeping ever\- man in his employ for a long 
period. Certainlv no better indication could be 
given of his justice and considerate treatment of 
those who enter his service. With his patrons he 
is ever found reliable and trustworthy and the 
reputation ^\•hich he sustains in business circles is 
a most creditable one. His methods are of inter- 
est to the commercial world because of the fact 
that he started out in life with no capital and is 
to-day a iirosperous merchant in control of an 
extensive business, that has been secured through 
his own energy and ability. He has based his 
business principles and conduct upon the relations 
that govern strict and unswerving integrity and 
indefatigable energy. He possesses much artistic 
skill as well as a knowledge of the mechanical 
part of the business and he has been the decorator 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



413 



of many of the finest ]:)u1)lic and private build- 
ings in Michigan and a splendid sample of his 
work is to be found in the Ann Arbor Savings 
Bank. 

In 1883 Mr. Major was united in marriage to 
JMiss Elizabeth Modamer, of Chicago, and they 
have two children : Charles H., who, at the age 
of twenty-one years, is associated with his father 
in business, and Ellen Elizabeth, thirteen vears of 
age, now in school. Mr. ?(lajor is an Odd Fel- 
low, likewise belongs to the ]^)enevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks, and has filled all of the 
chairs in the former. In politics he is inde- 
pendent. He was formcrh- a communicant of 
the Episcopalian church, Ijut is now a Christian 
Scientist. He is public spirited in an eminent de- 
gree yet without desire for office, co-operating, 
however, in many measures that contribute to the 
general welfare of his city. His ready recogni- 
tion of opportunity, his thorough understanding 
of the business in which he embarked as a voung 
tradesman, his natural artistic skill of brush, 
form and color, and his unfaltering energy have 
resulted in his rapid continued progress for each 
step that he has made in the business world has 
been forward and has brought him to a prominent 
positio^i as a representative of trade circles in 
his adopted city. 



JOSEPH C. DE MOSH. 

Joseph C. DelMosh, who is conducting a large 
livery business at No. 3 Congress street, under 
the firm name of DeAIosh & Son, was born in 
Belfour about ninety miles from Paris, France, 
on the 22(1 of July, 1830. His father was John 
Baptist, who was fourteen years a soldier under 
Napoleon P>ona].)arte, and died in the vear 1843. 
In the family were seven children, all of whom 
came to .America. 

Joseph C De]\[osh was only three vears of 
age when brought from France to the new world, 
the voyage being made in a sailing vessel which 
was thirty-one days in reaching the American 
port. The famil\' home was established in Jef- 
ferson county. New York, u]ion a farm of three 
24 



hundred acres of land which was entirely wild 
and unimproved when it came into possession of 
the father, who sold a part of it in order to ob- 
tain the funds necessary to be used in clearing the 
remainder and building the house and barns de- 
manded for the shelter of his family and for his 
grain and .stock. 

At the usual age Joseph C. DeMosh became a 
student in the district schools of Jefferson county 
and when eighteen years of age he sought a 
home in ^Michigan, believing that he would find 
better business opportunities in the west. He 
reached this state on the loth of October, 1848, 
and spent some time in Detroit, from which place 
lie afterward removed to Belleville, Wayne 
county, where he remained for many years, be- 
ing engaged in the shoe business during that pe- 
riod. In 1870 he removed to Ypsilanti, where 
he established the Hotel Barton, which he con- 
ducted in connection with the livery business for 
nine years. .At the present time, however, his 
undivided attention is given to the latter and he 
is now conductirig a large and profitable livery 
Ijusiness at No. 3 Congress street under the firm 
style of DeMosh & Son. He has a large and 
well equipped stable, having many gond horses 
and fine vehicles of various kinds and the public 
accords to him a liberal patronage. 

While in Belleville Mr. DeMosh Avas married 
in 1855 to Miss Lucy Lickes, of that city, who' 
died one year later, and he afterward wedded 
.\delia Hollister. by whom he had three chil- 
dren, two of whom are living : Frank C. and 
George B. DeMosh, and they also have an 
adopted daughter. The elder son, Frank, was 
born November 12, 1866, and was married in 
1888 to Miss Carrie J. Bunton, of Belleville. 
They have two children, Naomi Belle, thirteen 
years of age, and Bernice Georgia, nine vears 
old. Both are attending school. Frank C. De- 
Mosh holds membership relations with the 
Knights of the jMaccabees and votes the repub- 
lican ticket. He is associated with his father 
in the livery business, constituting a strong firm, 
as is indicated by the success which is attending 
their efforts. 

.Since becoming a naturalized .American citizen 
Mr. DeAIosh has given his political allegiance to 



414 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the republican party and while in Belleville he 
filled the office of constable. He has now reached 
the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey but 
is yet an active factor in business and is regarded 
as a man of genuine w-orth. having a host of 
warm friends, who enjoy his companionship and 
rejoice in his prosperity. 



GODFREY R, OTTMER. 

.\nn .\rbor and Washtenaw county frequentlx' 
acknowledge their indebtedness to the Teutonic 
race for the development and progress which 
have transformed the small and unimproved vil- 
lage to an intellectual and commercial center. A 
large portion of the citizens here are either of 
German birth or parentage and have brought 
from the fatherland the strong and sterling char- 
acteristics that have enabled the sons of ( "rermany 
to adapt themselves to the conditions of the new 
world and utilize opportunities that have proven 
resultant factors in the acquirement of desired 
success. Mr. Ottmer, born in Ebhausen, Wur- 
temberg, German)-, on the 14th of August. 1865. 
is a son of John Martin and Anna Mary (Bren- 
ner) Ottmer. likewise natives of the fatherland. 
The father became a resident of Saline, Michigan, 
about fortv-one years ago. and for a long period 
engaged in business as a shoe merchant, but is 
now living retired, making his home in Brid.ge- 
waler. Michigan. His wife passed away on the 
17th of March, 1904. In their family were eight 
children, of whom six are living: John Martin, 
a farmer of Milan ; Jacob Frederich, who follows 
farming and makes his home in Saline ; Christine, 
the wife of Fred Wessinger. of Saline : Mrs. D. 
F. Slayton. of Montana ; Godfrey B. : and John 
^Michael, of \\m Arbor. The two who have passed 
awav are Joseph and Anna Mary, both nf wlmm 
died in youth. 

Godfrey B. CHlmer was a young lad when 
brought by his parents to the new world, and his 
education was acquired in the high school of Sa- 
line. He then farmed until twenty-one years of 
age, when in 1893 he came to Ann Arbor, seeking 
a broader field of labor in the business circles of 



this growing city. For three years he was em- 
ployed as a salesman by Charles Maynard, and 
also spent a similar period in the store of George 
Stinijison. With the capital saved from his earn- 
ings he purchased a stock of groceries and en- 
gaged in business on his own account in 1902. 
establishing his store at No. 120 West Washing- 
ton street. He is now located at No, 305 South 
Main street, where he carries a large and care- 
fully selected line of staple and fancy groceries, 
having a large trade which has constantly grown. 
His business methods are such that when he once 
secures the support of a customer he is sure to 
retain his patronage. 

In 1893 Mr. Ottmer was married to Miss Ber- 
tha Fenker. of Saline, and they have two children : 
Lilian Ida, eight years of age. and now in school ; 
and Gertrude Bertha, about two years old. Mr. 
( Ittmer owns a beautiful home at No. 500 East 
^^'illiam street. In politics he is a republican, 
keeping well informed cmi the questions and issues 
of the day, yet without political aspiration for 
himself. He belongs to Zion Lutheran church, 
and is a man of pleasing personality who readily 
wins friends and moreover has that worth of 
character that enables him to retain the kindly 
regard of those with whom he is brought in con- 
tact. 



CH.XRLES OLI\ER WOODBRIDGF. M. D. 

Dr. Charles Oliver Woodljridge. a rising young 
physician of Saline, was born in Harrow in the 
province of Ontario. Canada. October i, 1880. 

His father. \\'illiam Woodbridge. was a native 
of Grand Rapids. Michigan, and in the early '60s 
went to Canada, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing and also raised special breeds of horses, cat- 
tle and hogs. He likewise engaged in the real 
estate business and his well conducted interests 
brought to him a gratifying measure of success. 
He married Hannah Aikman, a native of Harrow. 
Ontario, where she still lives. The father, how- 
ever, died June 19. 1894. In their family were 
two sons and two daughters, the brother of Dr. 
\\'oodbridge being William R. ^^''oodbridge, who 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



415 



occupies the old lioniestead at Harrow, and the 
sisters, Nora and Alinnie. also reside there. 

Dr. ^^'oodhri(l.^■e supplemented his early edu- 
cational privileges by a four years' course in the 
high school at Leamington, and in i8<J9 he en- 
tered the Universitv of Toronto, from which he 
was graduated in up^ with the degree of M. D. 
Having pursued a full and thorough course in 
medicine, he then entered upon the general prac- 
tice of medicine in Assiniboia province, settling 
in the town of ("raik. where he remained for a 
year and a half and on the expiration of that 
period came to Saline on the I2tli of May, 1905. 
Here he purchased the drug store of Wcinmann 
& Alathews and at the same time entered upon 
the general ]5ractice of medicine. His attention 
is now given to the conduct of his store and the 
duties of his practice and already he has secured 
a good business and has proven his right to the 
public confidence and trust in his capable care 
of a number of important cases. 

Dr. Woodiiridge was married on the 3th df 
September. T(p5, to Miss Rosie Wright, a daugh- 
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Wright, of Kings- 
ville, Ontario. Fraternally the Doctor is con- 
nected with the Canadian ( )rder of Foresters and 
the Modern Woodmen of America, while he and 
his wife Imld membership in the Methodist 
church. .Mthough their residence in Saline cov- 
ers a comparatively brief period thev have already 
made many warm friends here and the hospitalitv 
of man\- of the best homes is extended to them. 



JOSEPH :\[IIXS GELSTON. D. D. 

Rev. Joseph Mills Gelston, for seventeen years 
p)astor of the First Presbyterian church at Ann 
Arbor, was liurn in Rushville. New York. June 
27. 1847. Three successive generations of the 
family have been represented in the ministrx'. 
His paternal grandfather was the Rev. Maltli\- 
<relston, who for fifty-three \-e;irs was pastor of 
the Presbyterian church at .'-^hernian. Connecticut, 
which he founded in 1796. He was born in 
Southampti m, l.nng Island, in 176^1. and studied 



theology imder the direction of Rev. Jonathan 
I^dwards. the foremost minister of his day. 

Rev. Maltby Gelston, Jr.. a native of Sherman. 
Connecticut, also devoted his active life to the 
ministry and for many years engaged in preach- 
ing in various cities of Michigan, where his schol- 
arly attainments, his zeal and consecration in the 
work and his broad, humanitarian spirit won him 
the devotion of all denominations. He wedded 
.Miss Marcia Harriett Merwin. a native of Con- 
necticut, who was an able assistant to him in his 
holy calling. Her death occurred in the year 
1884. while Rev. Maltby Gelston passed away 
T'^ebruary 19. 1893. He had served as pastor of 
the church in South Lyon. Michigan, and in 
1861 removed to .\nn Arbor in order that his sons 
might enjoy the advantage of intellectual train- 
ing in the LTniversity of Michigan. In the family 
were five children, of whom three are living: 
Sarah G., who resides on Washington street, in 
.\nn .\rbor; Rev. Henry W. Gelston, pastor of 
the Presbyterian church at Kalamazoo, Michi- 
gan ; and Dr. Joseph Mills Gelston. 

Jose]ih Mills Gelston has spent the greater part 
of his life in this state. He is a graduate of the 
Ann Arbor high school of the class of 1865 and 
of the L^niversity of Michigan in 1869, having 
completed the classical course in the literary de- 
partment. He then entered the L^nion 
Theological Seminary of New York city, 
from which he was graduated in 1873. 
subsequent to which time he was called 
to the Presbyterian cluu-cb in Plymouth. Michi- 
gan, where he remained fur two years, having in 
the meantime been licensed and ordained bv the 
1 )etroit Presbytery. He removed from Plymouth 
to Pontiac. Michigan, where his pastorate covered 
nearly fourteen years and for seventeen years he 
has been pastor of the First Presbyterian church 
at .\nn .\rbor. 

On the 9th of May. 1876, Dr. Gelston was 
married to Miss Margaret Lord, of Bridgeport, 
C<innecticut, a daughter of Jabez Lord, and a 
niece of the celebrated Dr. Willis Lord. Dr. and 
.Mrs. Gelston have two children: Henrv M.. who 
is now a teacher of Latin and historv in the high 
school at Bay City, Michigan ; and Rev. Willis 
Lord Trclston. of Coldwater. Michio-an. who is 



4i6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the representative of the fourth generation of the 
family in the ministry. 

Dr. Gelston is a man of broad, Hterary knowl- 
edge and scholarly attainments as well as of 
comprehensive knowledge in biblical lore, pos- 
sesses superior oratorical power and in his public 
addresses follows a logical line of thought that 
appeals strongly to the intelligence of his audit- 
ors. Moreover there is in him an abiding hunian 
sympathy that has won for him the respect of the 
people of all denominations. Earnest in present- 
ing the great truths which affect the design of 
the individual and of the race, his simplicity of 
manner, his kindliness and his geniality have en- 
deared him to all, while his superior intelligence 
has made him a congenial spirit to many of the 
most prominent men of the city. 



WALTER C. AlAlK. 

Walter C. Alack is a son of Christian Mack, 
who is represented elsewhere in this volume. 
There were four children in. the family: Edwin 
F., who is the vice-president and treasurer of the 
Royal Trust Cnmpan_\' of Chicago and whu mar- 
ried Isabella Dooley of that city, by whom he has 
one son. Edwin Christian : Amanda Marie, who 
became the wife of Willis J. .\l)bot and diccl |nU 
13, 1903. leaving a son, Waldo: and Clara I-., tin- 
widow of Harry W. Hawley, who died in the fall 
of 1905. by whom she has one son, Harry AY. 

W. C. Mack, the youngest member of the fam- 
ily, was born in Ann Arbor which city has ever 
been his home. Early in life he entered his 
father's employ as salesman and upon the same 
footing with other employes in the store. Soon his 
earnestness of purpose, indefatigable and persist- 
ent efforts and natural ability manifested them- 
selves and demanded recognition. In 1889 he 
])urcliased one-third interest in the firm and s<i 
great was the confidence reposed in him, the abso- 
lute management in every detail was placed in his 
hands. This event marked the beginninii nf the 
remarkable growth of this great establishment. 
^^'ith an enthusiasm that youth alone insjiires. a 
delerminatii )n that takes no thought of failm-e. 



keeping in close touch with the progressive spirit 
of the times, no ideal was too lofty for his aim 
that lay in the direction of the advancement of the 
institution whose progress rested upon his shoul- 
ders. 

In iXy5 the business was incorporated under 
the present firm name. Mack & Co. He had from 
tin.ie to time previous to this purchased the greater 
part of his father's interest and now became in 
fact as well as in management its virtual head. 
Again did the S]3irit of enterprise — a desire for 
something greater and something Iietter dominate 
his policy. Ever a close student of modern 
methods, all the best appliances and impr(i\ements 
for broadening the scope and facilitating tlic con- 
duct of his business were empl()ye<l. With an eye 
looking ever to the ultimate instead of the imme- 
diate ]>resent results, his fine percepticm. keen 
business acumen, sagacit}- and thorough mastery 
has developed the enterprise to its present com- 
manding inipiirtance — a business institution of 
\\'ashtenaw count\- that stands in a class by itself, 
possessing every worthy feature of the great me- ' 
tr(}politan stores, where every want of the person 
and home may be obtained, with Tea Room, Sav- 
ings Department, L'nited States Post Office, Rest 
Room, La\'atory, Toilet Rooms, etc.. for the com- 
fort and convenience of its patrons. 

-Mr. Alack is also a director and memlier of the 
finance cnmiuittee of the .\nn .\rbor .Savings 
Hank and a director of the Alichigan h'ire and 
Alarine Insurance Company of Detmit, succeed- 
ing his father in those offices. 

In 1902 was celebrated the marriage of Walter 
C. Alack and Miss Florence Kinkel. They now 
haA'e three children: Christian, Florence and A^ir- 
ginia. Mr. Alack has never affiliated with any 
fraternal organizations but has concentrated his 
energies and attention u]ion his Inisiness interests 
and his familv life, finding his greatest enjoyment 
at his own fireside. He is a man of strong domes- 
tic tastes and his best traits are reserved for the 
members of his own household. Honored and re- 
spected by all. there is no man in .Ann Arbor who 
occupies a more enviable position than Walter ( ". 
Mack in mercantile and financial circles, not alone 
on account of the brilliant success he has achieved 
but also because of the honorable, straightfor- 




STORE Ol- .MACK & CO.MPANY. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



419 



ward business policy he has ever followed. He 
])ossesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, 
forms his plans readily and is determined in their 
execution. It is true that he became interested in 
a business already established but in controlling 
and enlarging such an enterprise many a man of 
even considerable resolute purpose, courage and 
industry would have failed, and he has demon- 
strated the truth of the saying that success is not 
the result of genius but the outcome of clear judg- 
ment and untiring effort. 



WILLIAM CLARK 



William Clark, who is interested in general 
farming and is the owner of four hundred and 
forty acres of valuable land in Dexter township, 
was born in Putnam township, Livingston county, 
i\Iichigan, on the qth of March, 1847. ^'^ P^''" 
ents were Hugh and Annie ( ( iillchrist ) Clark. 
both of whom were natives of County Down, Ire- 
land, The father, who was born in 181 2, died in 
1903, at the age of eight}--one years, and the 
mother, who still suvives, reached the eighty- 
sixth anniversary of her birth on the 15th of 
September, 1905. It was in the year 1832 that 
Hugh Clark came to America, sailing from Liv- 
erpool to New York, where he resided for about 
three vears. He then made his way westward on 
a sailing vessel to Detroit, after which he walked 
from that place to Livingston county and entered 
eighty acres of land from the government. Then 
he had to walk back to Detroit in order to secure 
his patent, for the land office was located in that 
city at the time. This was about the time the 
INlichigan Central Railroad was being built and 
in the w-inter months he worked for the railroad 
coni])an\-, aiding in the construction of its line. 
In the summer he cleared his land and Iniilt a 
log house, but during three winter seasons he 
was connected with railroad ci instruction. As 
time passed he converted his land into richly cul- 
tivated fields and also extended the iioundaries 
of his property initil he had three hundred and 
forty acres. The greater part of it was timber 
land and he cleared away the trees, stumps and 



brush and developed an excellent farm. He also 
assisted his three sons in getting a start in life. 
Unto him and his wife were born eleven children, 
three sons and eight daughters, namely : Hugh ; 
Esther, deceased: Mary Ann; William: Thomas; 
Eliza : Jennie ; Eleanor ; .\melia : Edith and Ida. 
There was also an adopted daughter, Sarah. 

William Clark was reared under the parental 
roof in the usual manner of farm lads, working 
in the fields through the summer months and 
attending the district schools in the winter sea- ' 
sons. He was also a student in the schools of 
Dexter and acquired a fair English education to 
fit him for life's practical and responsible duties. 
When about twenty-five years of age Mr. Clark 
made investment in a farm, becoming owner of 
one hundred and eighty acres and he has since 
devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He 
now has four hundred and forty acres in the home 
place, for as his financial resources increased he 
made judicious investment in property and has 
become the owner of a valuable tract of land, to 
which he has added many modern improvements. 
He raises wheat, annually harvesting from eight 
to nineteen hundred bushels, his crop in 1905 
being fourteen hundred bushels. He also finds 
stock raising a profitable source of industry and 
he keeps on hand fnmi one hundred to two hun- 
dred head of sheep and from twelve to fifteen 
head of cattle, also nine to ten head of horses. 
His land is kept free from weeds and the fields 
present a most attractive appearance, giving 
]3romise of golden harvests. In all of his busi- 
ness he is systematic, careful and capalile and as 
the vears have passed has met with a high meas- 
ure of prosperity. 

Mr. Clark was married to Miss Eva Ferris, a 
daughter of Edward and Ellen { Crum ) Ferris, 
both of whom were nati\-es i>f Washtenaw county, 
Alichigan, and in their family were four sons and 
four daughters, as follows : Edwin, Eva, Laura, 
Ransom, Maggie, Uertha, Hiram and Charles. 
The father is still living and devotes his atten- 
tion to agricultural |inrsuits but the mother passed 
away in 1900. 

.Mrs. Clark was born on the 22d of December, 
1866, and their marriage was celebrated February 
6, 1888. The children of this union are: Ruth, 



420 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



born January i, 1893: Paul, born October 2, 
1894; William, horn February 27, 1897; Amelia, 
October 31, i89<j: (jeorge, February 22, 1902; 
and Norman, April 27, 1904. 

In hi.s ))()litical views Mr. Clark is a stalwart 
democrat, tjiving unfaltering; support to the men 
and measures of the party. He has served as 
justice of the peace and a member of the board of 
review and also as school trustee. His entire life 
has been spent in this section of Michigan and for 
a third of a century he has lived upon his present 
farm, which in its splendid appearance indicates 
the careful su])ervision of tlie owner. 



WALTER .SAMUEL MOORE, D. D. S. 

The practice of dentistry is unique in the pro- 
fessions in that it demands of its successful fol- 
lowers three distinct, yet essential, elements — 
mechanical ingenuity, scientific knowledge and 
financial ability. Dr. Moore as a representative 
of his calling has gained for himself an enviable 
place in the ranks of the dental fraternity in the 
state and has a well appointed office in .\nn Ar- 
bor. His birth occurred in Ypsilanti. Michigan, 
May 22, 1867, his parents being Eli W. and 
Elizabeth C. (Moore) Moore. The father is a 
manufacturer anfl now makes his home in Ann 
.\rbor. In the family are three sons: Wendell 
P., who is manager of the Ann Arbor Machine 
Company: Eli L., a dentist of liay City, Michi- 
gan ; and Walter Samuel. 

Dr. Moore of this review is a product of the 
Ann .\rbor schools, having continued his studies 
here until he passed through the successive 
grades and completed a high school course. Sub- 
sequently he entered the University of Michigan 
and was graduated from the dental department 
with tlie class of 1893. He then located for prac- 
tice in this city and maintains a well equipped 
office on Main street. South. He stands high in 
his profession because of his thorough mastery of 
scientific principles and his excellent workman- 
ship in the practical duties of the laboratory and 
the operating room. He has all the modern appli- 
ances for the successful conduct of the profession 



arid his labors are certainly highly satisfactory to 
the public if a large practice is any criterion of 
public trust. He is a member of the State Dental 
.Society and also of the Washtenaw Countv Den- 
tal Society. 

In 1894 Dr. Moore was married to Miss .Mary 
I'llodgett, of Washtenaw county, and they had 
three children, Walter Edwin, Lawrence W. and 
Mary Blodgett. The wife and mother died March 
20, 1901, and the Doctor was again married Au- 
gust 19, 1903, his second union being with Miss 
bannie \'an Ciieson, a native of Washtenaw 
county. 

Dr. Moore is a republiam in his political views' 
and in religious faith a Congregationalist, while 
fraternally he is connected with Clolden Rule 
lodge. No. 159, A. F. & A. Al. His church and 
society relations indicate the character of the man 
and in his native county his best friends are num- 
bered among those who have known him from 
early life — a fact which indicates his fidelity to 
truth, justice and right. In his practice he has 
won a reputation that many an older man might 
well envy, being now classed with the leading 
dentists of the citv. 



WILLIAM H. STARK. 

William H. Stark of the Polhemus Transfer 
Line, doing all the hotel and depot, l)us and 
hack business in Ann .A.rbor and also conduct- 
ing a general livery, was born in the township 
of York, Washtenaw county, October 18, 1876. 

William H. Stark pursued a public school edu- 
cation and since 1900 has been engaged in the 
livery business in Ann Arbor, being at the head 
nf the Polhemus Transfer Line and doing all of 
the hotel and depot, bus and hack business of 
the city. He also conducts a general livery stable 
which is located near the postoffice at No. 220 
Main street. North. He enjoys a very liberal 
patronage, his trade constantly growing. 

In 1900 William H. Stark was married to Miss 
Mary Polhemus, of Ann Arbor, and they have one 
daughter, Ruth, now eighteen months old. Mr. 
Stark is a meniber of the Benevolent and l^rotec- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



421 



tivc Order of Elks and of the Odd Fellows lodge. 
In his political views he is independent nor has 
he ever sought or desired office, preferring to 
concentrate his energies upon his husiness inter- 
ests. He is resolute and energetic in what he 
imdertakes. and with laudable ambition he is 
steadil}' working his way upward toward the 
plains of afHuence. 

Freme I!. Stark, brother of William H., was 
born in York township, July 22, 1874. and attend- 
ed the public and high schools of Ann Arbor. He 
is now engaged in the livery business at No. 207 
North .Main street, where he has a large line 
of fine rigs and good horses. He was married 
in 1898 to Miss Julia Esslinger, of Ann Arbor. 
and they have a son, Bert, now five years of age. 
Tn iinlitics Mr. Stark is a democrat and in his re- 
ligious views is a Methodist. The family have 
long resided in Washtenaw county and the broth- 
ers are enterprising xoung liusiness men. 



CKORCF A. l!i-G()LF. 

George A. BeGole, a representative of finan- 
cial interests in Chelsea, being assistant cashier 
of the Kempf Commercial Savings Bank, was 
born in S\lvan township, June 21, i860, his par- 
ents being W. .\. and Elizabeth ( Kanouse ) Be- 
Gole. They were married in 1855. The father 
came to Michigan from SteulxMi county. New 
York, where he was born in 1806. He was a son 
of Thomas BeGole, whose birth occurred in the 
Empire state in 1775 and who was of French 
Huguenot descent, his ancestors coming to .\nier- 
ica from France at an early day in the history 
of the new world. William A. BeGole arrived in 
Michigan in 1829 and was one of the first settlers 
in Sylvan township, Washtenaw couiit\'. This 
was a number of years before Michigan attained 
statehood and the region in which he located 
was all wild and unimproved. In 1830 he se- 
cured a claim of eighty acres on section 26, Svl- 
van township, to which he afterward added a 
forty-acre tract and in the course of vears he de- 
veloped his farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres into a productive property. He has carried 



on general farming and also made a specialty of 
the raising of sheep and as one of the pioneer 
agriculturists of this part of the state well de- 
serves mention in this volume, for he aided in 
the reclamation of the county from the domain 
of the savage and in the work of converting it 
to the uses of civilization. In his family were ten 
children. He was twice married, his first union 
being with Miss Abigail Nowland, whom he 
wedded in 1831 and who died in 1853. They 
were the parents of eight children : Andrew, now 
deceased : Matilda, the widow of Lewis Harlow 
and a resident of Ypsilanti ; Charles, who died in 
California ; .\ugustus, who died in Denver, Colo- 
rado ; Mary, who passed away in childhood; 
Davis, who is living in Missouri; Cynthia, the 
wife of John P. Parson, a resident of Denver; 
and Mrs. Emily Davis, a widow who is also liv- 
ing in Denver. After losing his first wife, Mr. 
BeGole wedded Miss Elizabeth Kanouse and 
there were two children of that union : Dora A., 
the wife of Willard BeGole. who is living on a 
farm south of Marshall. Michigan: and George 
-\. tn his political views the father was a repub- 
lican, always giving his support to the men and 
measures of that party from the time of its organ- 
ization. He died in July. 1880. while his wife 
survived him only until ( )ctober of the same 
\ear. 

George A. BeGole pursued his early education 
in the district schools and afterward attended 
tht pulilic and high schools of Chelsea and Gold- 
smith's Business College at Detroit. ^lichigan. 
He then returned to Chelsea and in 1879 entered 
the employ of H. S. Holmes as an accountant. 
He was with him for eight years, after which 
he spent a few years in Detroit and Cleveland 
and two years in Jackson, Michigan. In January. 
1892, he returned to Chelsea and accepted the 
|X)sition of assistant cashier in the private bank 
of R. Kempf & lirother. He continued with that 
institution until the change of the bank in T898 
to the Kempf Commercial & Savings Bank. Of 
the latter institution he was also made assistant 
cashier and has since acted in that capacity. In 
1900 he was placed on the board of directors and 
has therefore since had a voice in the manage- 
ment of this financial concern. In npi he was 



422 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



chosen treasurer of the Wilham Bacon-Holmes 
Company, dealers in lumber and produce. 

In 1881 Mr. BeCiole was united in marriage to 
Miss Dora Sargent, a daughter of Letson Sar- 
gent, of Chelsea, one of the early settlers of the 
county. He had three children. William Augus- 
tus, who is teller in the savings department of 
the Farmers' & ]\lechanics' Bank of Ann Arbor, 
was married in 1905 to Miss Ethel Cole, a daugh- 
ter of J. B. Cole, of Chelsea. A. Zoe is the wife 
of George Weeks, Jr., who holds an, important 
position in Hoag's store in Ann Arbor. Lamont 
C. is a student in the high school of .\nn Arbor. 

In politics Mr. BeGole has always been a stanch 
republican and was township clerk for four terms. 
He has also been township treasurer for two 
terms, village clerk for four terms and village 
treasurer for two terms. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with Olive lodge. No. 156, .K. F. & A. M., 
and was chancellor commander of the Knights 
of Pythias lodge for eight terms. He has been 
very active in the latter organization from its 
formation in 1896 and with the exception of two 
years has served as its chief officer. Over the 
record of his business life and official service 
there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of 
evil and he has made an honored name that makes 
him a valued and respected citizen of Chelsea. 



OTTMAR EBERBACH. 

Ottmar Eberbach was born in Ann Arbor, No- 
vember 2^, 1845, "i^fl is of German lineage. He 
has manifested in his life many of the strong and 
sterling characteristics of his Teutonic ancestry 
together with a ready adaptability and unfaltering 
enterprise which have been so characteristic of 
the citizenship of the middle west. His grand- 
father, a native of Germany, married a Miss 
Haller. who was also born in that country and 
was a sister of the wife of J. H. Mann. His 
father. Christian Eberbach. was born in Stuttgart. 
Germany, in 1817, and came lo the new world in 
1839, when a yoiuig man of about twenty-two 
vears, making his wa\- at once to .\nn .\rbor. He 



was a pharmacist by profession and had acquired 
a superior education in that line in the fatherland. 
In this city he entered the employ of William S. 
Maynard, a druggist, being the first to compound 
prescriptions in Washtenaw county, a work which 
he executed at the request of the physicians. He 
remained w ilh Mr. Maynard for four years, doing 
all the work in compounding prescriptions as well 
as serving as a general salesman and then in 1843 
entered business on his own acccjunt as proprietor 
of a drug store on Huron street opposite the 
courthouse. Subsequently he built a business 
block on .Main street, adjoining the present loca- 
tion of ( )ttmar F.berbach, opening the store there 
in 1847. He entered into partnership with Eman- 
uel Mann inider the firm style of Eberbach & 
CompauN', this relation being maintained until 
1874, when Mr. Mann retired from the firm and 
was succeeded by the subject of this review under 
the firm style of I'^berbach & Son, which name is 
still maintained although the senior memlier re- 
tired about six months ]3rior to his death, which 
occurred .September 23, 1901, when he was 
eighty-four years of age. 

in his ])olitical lielief Mr. Eberbach was a whig 
luitil the dissolution of the party, when he joined 
the ranks of the new republican party, his store 
being a great meeting place for the leading poli- 
ticians of his day. Tie was deeply interested in 
all political questions having bearing upon the 
state and national welfare as well as local inter- 
ests, and various offices of trust and responsibility 
were conferred upon him. He was one of the 
])residential electors of Michigan in 1864, sujiji'irt- 
ing .\l)raham Eincoln, and at one time was mayor 
of Aim .\rbor. He greatly opposed misrule in 
nnmieip:il affairs and gave to the city a \'aluable 
administration characterized by the same dili- 
gence and ]iractical methods that marked the con- 
trol of his ])rivate business interests. He was one 
of the founders and earnest members of the old 
I'.ethlehem church and was most highlv esteemed 
hv all w ho kiH-w liiin. 

(Christian Eberbach was married to ^liss ^lar- 
garet Eaubengayer, who was born in Germany in 
Januarw 1821, and when a maiden of twelve sum- 
mers came to .\nierica with her parents. Mr. 
Eberbach is still survived bv his widow, who 




CHRISTIAN EBERBACH. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



425 



lives at tlie old homestead at the corner of Pack- 
ard and Wells streets. Eight children were born 
of their marriage, of whom five are yet living: 
Ottmar; Edward; Mary, the wife of Dr. K. 
Klotz, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada ; Ear- 
nest ; and Clara. 

Ottmar Eberbach, beginning his education in 
the public schools, continued his studies through 
successive grades until he had become a high- 
school student. In the spring of 1862 he went to 
Europe, where he remained for three and a half 
years, during which time he was a student in a 
polytechnic school at Stuttgart and also in a 
university at Tuebingen, Germany, where he re- 
ceived his pharmaceutical education. In the fall 
of 1865 he returned to Ann Arbor and entered 
his father's store, working as a salesman until 
1874, when he was admitted to a jjartnership. The 
relation was maintained until about six months 
prior to the father's death, when Mr. Eberbach of 
this review became sole proprietor. He has con- 
ducted the store with constantly growing success 
and is to-day regarded as one of the leading" mer- 
chants of Ann Arbor, having a well equipped es- 
tablishment in which he carries a large and care- 
fully selected line of drugs and sundry goods. 

Believing that Ann Arbor, as the seat of a large 
university, offered special a<lvantages for a busi- 
ness in the line of fine chemicals and laboratory 
supplies for schools and colleges, such an enter- 
prise naturally attracted the attention of Mr. 
Eberbach as it accorded with his views of phar- 
macy as a profession being in constant ti:)uch with 
the progress of the science, and soon after enter- 
ing the firm he began to develop the plans for this 
nevv' line of business. In this undertaking he met 
with success and the business has grown to an in- 
dependent plant, so that he now carries the best as- 
sorted line in the west of fine chemicals, chemical 
glassware and apparatus, physical apparatus and 
supplies for scientific investigations in general. 
These goods are shi]5ped to all parts of .\merica 
and exported. In connection with this business 
the firm also conducts a shop for the manufacture 
of scientific instruments and ajjparatus, many of 
which are of their own design, and they also man- 
ufacture special designs and new devices as de- 
veloped at the university and other institutions. 



In 1870 occurred the marriage of Uttmar Eber- 
bach and Miss Catlierine Haller, of Ann Arbor, 
They had a family of six children, of whom five 
are yet living and all were natives of this county, 
namely: Ottilie, the wife of Phillip Schaupner, by 
whom she has one child, Margaret ; Oscar, who is 
a member of the graduating class of the Michi- 
gan University of 1906; Elsie, who has attended 
the university and is teaching in the summer of 
1905 in Wyoming; Carl, who is a high-school stu- 
dent ; and Linden, who completes the family. 

-\Ir. Eberbach is a republican. He served on 
the state board of pharmacists for ten years and 
on the school board of .\nn Arbor for four terms. 
He has a wide acquaintance in this city where he 
has always made his home and is best liked where 
best known, a fact which indicates the possession 
of qualities that are commendable and ever 
awaken respect and regard. 



J. GEORGE P.ISCHOFF. 

J. George Bischoff. a florist of Ann .\rbor, was 
born on the 7th of December, 1861, in Goettel- 
finger. in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, 
and one of the nine children of Gottlieb and 
Agatha 1 Kirn ) Bischoff. The father died in 
1878, and the mother in 1884. Four of their chil- 
dren are now living in Ann Arbor : Mrs. Kather- 
inc Gaus. Mrs. Mary Becker, Joseph and I. 
George. Two sisters are living in Germany : 
Airs. Rosina Doettling, in the bakery and hotel 
business at Calmbach. Wurtemberg; and Mrs. 
Agatha Locher, wife of Gottlieb Locher, a painter 
anrl plasterer at the same place. 

J. (leorge Bischofl:' spent his early life in the 
land of his birth, pursued his education in the 
schools of that country and served his time in the 
(jerman army in accordance with the laws of 
the country, .\fter coming to this country, he 
spent some time in Attica and Rochester, New 
York, in Pennsylvania, and for two years was en- 
gaged in the florist business in Detroit. He be- 
came a resident of Ann Arbor in 1896 and has 
since made his home here. He is now doing a 
good business as a florist, his greenliouses cover- 



426 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



iiig- rtve acres so that he is cdiuhicting' his inter- 
ests on an extensive scale. He is thunuighly fa- 
miliar with the best methods of cultivating flow- 
ers and shrubs and the products of his green- 
houses are unsurpassed on the city market, where 
they find a ready sale. His patre-inage has now 
reached extensive proportions aiul the trade is 
pmfitablc. 

In i8g() Air. Bischoff was uniied in marriage 
to Miss Wilhelmina Zander, of Brandenburg, 
Prussia, and they have two children : Ella, eight 
years of age, now in schcxtl : and Emma, four 
years old. Mr. BischofT belongs to the Knights 
of the Alaccabees, to the TndeiJendent Order of 
United Workmen and to various local German 
societies, while his religious faith is indicated 
by his membership in the Zion Lutheran church. 
He is a man of marked industry, giving close 
and unremitting attention to his business, and he 
stands high in citizensJiip and has a host of 
warm friends who recognize his genuine worth 
and give him their warm regard. 



GEORGE W. SWEET. 

George W. Sweet, who is engaged in the pro- 
vision business in Ann Arbor, was born in Ann 
Arbor township. Washtenaw county, on the 7th 
of November. 1865. His father, Spenser J. 
Sweet, was a native of the Empire state and there 
followed the occupation of farming liut about 
1844 he removed westward to Michigan, settling 
in Ann Arbor township and later in the city, 
where he engaged in contracting and building. 
His death occurred in the year 1901. His wife 
bore the maiden name of Eliza and they became 
the parents of eleven children, of whom nine 
are yet living. Silas T., who is with his brother 
in business in Ann Arlior. was born in Ann .Ar- 
bor township, July 10. 1854, and was married in 
1880 to Anna B. Ziegler, of this city. They have 
one child, Olive, now sixteen years of age. For 
manv years Silas T. Sweet was connected with 
the Michigan Central and .\nn .\rlxir Railroad 
companies, but is now engaged in the provision 
business. For twenty-two years he has been 



atflliated with the (^dd Fellows society and has 
passed all of its chairs. The other members of 
the famil\- are : Zanias .\., a traveling salesman 
living at .\nn ,\rbor; Mary, the wife of Edward 
llycraft, of Webster township: Charles F., a 
farmer of Jackson county : .Andrew J., who is 
assistant engineer in the fire department at Jack- 
son, Michigan; Ida May. the wife of William 
Oidex , of .\nn Arbor; George W.. of this review; 
.\rthnr ]., who is engineer at the state prison 
at Jackson, Michig-an ; and Ella, the wife of 
George Clark, of this city. 

.Mr. Sweet spent his boyhood days in a manner 
not unusual to that of lads of the period, his time 
being divided between the pleasures of the play- 
ground and the duties of the school room. After 
leaving school he was engaged as a telegraph 
operator for five years and then went upon the 
road as brakeman, being later promoted to con- 
ductor. In 1891 he left the road owing to ill 
health and has since been a factor in mercantile 
life in .\nn .Vrbor, being now connected with the 
provision business, in which he is meeting with 
fair success. 

On the 3d of December, 1893, Mr. Sweet was 
united in marriage to Miss Louise Davies. a na- 
tive of Ohio and they have onie son, Leslie 
(ieorge. who is now eleven years of age. Mr. 
Sweet is also educating a niece, Ella Louise, 
who. at the age of nineteen years, is pursuing a 
literary and musical course at the University of 
MichigTin. 

In his social relations Mr. Sweet is connected 
with the Maccabees and with the Odd Fellows 
and is in hearty sympathy with the teachings and 
l)urposes of these fraternities. In the last named 
he has filled all of the chairs. His political sup- 
port is given to the republican party and for two 
vears he served as alderman for the third ward, 
being elected on the republican ticket although 
the ward usuall_\- gives a democratic majority. 
.\bout four years ago he was a candidate for 
sheriff of the county and was defeated by only a 
few votes, although the county is strongly demo- 
cratic. This fact indicates his personal popu- 
larity and the confidence reposed in him by his 
fellow townsmen. He holds membership in the 
I'.aptist church and is well known in Ann Arbor 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



427 



as a citizen of worth, who in fraternal, political 
and busines relations lias ever maintained a high 
standard of conduct and thus won the favorable 
regard and friendship of his fellowmen. 



WILLIAM R. SCHNEIDER. 

William R. Schneider, who for twelve years 
has been engaged in the plumbing business at No. 
204 \\'ashington street. West, was born in this 
city, May 28, 1871, and is one of the enterprising 
young men here, possessing the spirit of energy 
and determination, which have been the strong 
and forceful factors in the rapid upbuilding of 
this section of the country. His father. John 
Schneider, Sr., was a native of Germany and, like 
many other sons of the fatherland, became a res- 
ident of Washtenaw county when he crossed the 
Atlantic to the new world. He early established 
his home in this locality and took a helpful part in 
its develojiment and ])rogress. He wedded Mary 
Stein and his death occurred in the year 1902 but 
his widow makes her home nn East Washington 
street in .\nn Arbur. In the family were ten chil- 
dren, of whom mention is made on ancrther page 
of this work in connection with the sketch of 
Ivmaimel L. .Sclmcider. 

At the usual age William R. Schneider became 
a public school student and mastered the branches 
of learning consituting the curriculum here. After 
putting aside liis text books he removed to Grand 
Rapids, Michigan, where he entered upon an ap- 
prenticeship to the plumber's trade, remaining for 
si.x years in the service of the firm of 
Hum & .Schneider, during which time he 
became thoroughly familiar with the busi- 
ness in principle and detail and was recognized 
as an e.xpert workman. Returning to .\nn .\rbor 
in 1893 he established a plumbing business at his 
present location at No, 204 Washington street. 
From the beginning his trade has increased and 
he now conducts an extensive business in furnaces 
and plumbers' supplies and in plumbing and gen- 
eral repair work. The business has had rapid and 
substantial growth and each year has added to his 
success as his income has increased to the in- 



creased number of his patrons. Fair dealing and 
etiterprise are perhaps the salient elements of his 
prosperity and in this regard his life certainly fur- 
nishes an example worth}' of emulation. 

In 1894 Mr. Schneider was united in marriage 
to Miss Johanna Weisenreder, a native of Ger- 
many, and they have become the parents of a most 
interesting family of seven children, namely : Al- 
win William, .\rthur John, Harold Wesley, 
Esther Johanna, Waldemar Edward, Carl Robert 
anfl William Clarence. 

-Mr. and Mrs. Schneider hold membership in 
the Ilethlehem German Evangelical church and 
in politics he is a republican interested in the suc- 
cess of his party, its growth and the accomplish- 
ment of its purpose, yet he never seeks or desires 
office for himself. He has figured in fraternal 
circles as a member of the Knights of the Macca- 
bees and was first master of the guards. He is 
likewise first lieutenant of the Home Guards. 
I'ublic spirited to an eminent degree, his labors 
benefit the city through the active co-operation 
which he gives to many measures for the general 
good and his business interests contribute to its 
industrial and commercial development. 



CHAUNCY H. SHEARER. 

t'hauncy H. Shearer, a native son of .Michi- 
gan, was born in Detroit, December 11, 1858, and 
in the control of extensive and important busi- 
ness interests in the line of real estate operations, 
displays not onl}' broad familiarity with prop- 
ert\- values but also keen discernment and 
marked sagacity that are essential elements in 
a successful career. His father, James Shearer, 
born in ,\Ibany, .Ww York, became a prominent 
lumberman of this state, and was regent of the 
I'niversity of .Michigan from 1880 until 1888. 
His death occurred in 1896. His widow. Mrs. 
AJargaret J. Shearer, passed away in 1898. In 
the family were three sons and a daughter: G. 
Henry: James B. : Ella M., who married Morton 
J. Day and died in 1885; and Chauncy H. 

When Chauncy H. Shearer was seven vears of 
age his parents removed from Detroit to Bay 



428 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



City and since September, lyoo, he has been a 
resident of Aim Arbor. He is a gra(hiatc of the 
high school at Hay City and attended Cornell 
•University in 1875, 1876 and 1877, his liberal ed- 
ucation well eqnipping him for the conduct of im- 
portant business enterprises. For some years he 
was associated with his father and brothers in 
lumber dealing and real estate operations and is 
to-day connected with the real estate and instu'- 
ance business in Ann Arliur with a lartje clien- 
tage that indicates his familiarity with property 
values and possibilities, as well as his capability 
in so placing property on the market as to secure 
a ready and ])rofitable transfer thereof. In con- 
nection with his real estate operations he is rep- 
resenting the New England ATutual Life Insur- 
ance Company, the St. Paul Fire & Marine In- 
surance Company and the Orient and other in- 
surance com])anies. 

On the fith nl April. 1880, .Mr. Shearer was 
married to Miss M. Louise Deshler, of Columbus. 
Ohio, and they have two daughters, Margaret 
E. D. and Marie L. D. ^Ir. Shearer is a republi- 
can in his ])olitical affiliation and an Ejjiscopalian 
in religious faith, and while a student in Cornell 
he became a member of the .Klplia Delta Phi. He 
represents a prominent family of .Michigan and 
his lines of life have been cast in harmony there- 
^vith. He has a beautiful liome in .Vnn Arlmi- 
and his abilities and personal characteristics have 
made him a valued factor in the highest societ\- 
circles of the citv. 



WILLIAM BIGGS. 



The building o])erations of .\nn Arbor have 
found an active representative in William Biggs 
for the past quarter of a century and as a con- 
tractor and builder he has gained a foremost 
place in the ranks of the representatives of this 
industrial art. A native of England, he was born 
in Braintree on the gth of March, 1850, and is 
one of a family of three sons and a daughter, 
whose parents were William and Sarah (Gold- 
ing) Biggs, who were likewise natives of Eng- 
land, in which country they spent their entire 



lives. The father was a broker and died in the 
year 1875, while his wife passed away in 1874. 
Of their family Charles died in 1903, Samuel is 
now living in London, England, and Mary is also 
a resident of the world's metropolis. 

William Biggs, the youngest member of the 
household, pursued his education in the schools 
I if England, in which country he remained until 
nineteen years of age. He had heard favorable 
re])i)rts concerning the new world, had become 
interested in this country and believing that he 
might have good business opportunities here he 
crossed the .Atlantic and took up his abode in 
.Ann .\rbor in 1869. For some years he con- 
tinuetl his education in this city and as a pre- 
paration for the practical and responsible duties 
of Inisiness life he began learning the carpen- 
ter's trade, being employed by various contract- 
ors and builders, under whose instruction he 
mastered the various liranches of the builder's 
art, becoming an excellent workman with thor- 
ough understanding of the business both in prin- 
ciple and detail. He acted as journeyman until 
1880, when he ventured upon an independent 
business career and soon found that his capability 
was recognized and that he was able to secure 
a good patronage. Since that he has been well 
known as a builder here and many important con- 
tracts have been awarded him, his skill and handi- 
work being seen in some of the fine structures 
of the citv. In more recent years, however, he 
has practically lived retired, having acquired a 
handsome comjietence in the years of his former 
toil and activity. 

In 1875 Mr. Biggs was married to Miss Fanny 
Cook, of Ann Arbor, whose father is superintend- 
ent of the LTuiversity of Michigan grounds. They 
have three children : William Ambrose, who is 
assistant su]ierintendent of the Bell Telephone 
Company at Dallas, Texas, and who was a student 
in the engineering department of the LTniversity 
of Michigan ; Austin Perry, also a student in the 
engineering department and now with the Edison 
Electric Company, of Detroit ; and Fanny 
Bernice, who is now traveling in the west for her 
health. They also lost a child in infancy, Cella. 

Mr. Biggs is a devoted member of the First 
Congregational church, while in politics he is in- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



429 



ilepcndcnt. He and his wife now occupy a beau- 
tiful home at No. 537 Ehn street, where in a 
well earned ease he is enjoying the fruits of his 
former toil. He has ever been strong in his 
support oi the temperance cause and is a man of 
high moral character and worth, whose influence 
has ever been on the side of right, justice and 
trutli. In his business career he made a reputa- 
tion such as any man might be proud to possess 
because he was always conscientious in meeting 
his obligations nor did he ever make an engage- 
ment that he did not fill. He rose through suc- 
cessive steps to the plain of affluence, gaining 
prosperity and an honored name simultaneously. 



HARRISON FATRCHILD. 

Harrison Fairchild. proprietor of a large and 
profitable meat market in Ypsilanti was born near 
Rochester, New York, on the 22d of March, 
1848. His father was Myron S. Fairchild, a 
native of the Empire state, wdio for many years 
was engaged in the milling business but is now 
living a retired life in Ypsilanti in the enjovment 
of a rest which he has truly earned and richly 
deserved. In early manhood he wedded Miss 
Mariette Yost, who died in 1878. In their fam- 
ily were two sons : Harrison and Charles M., the 
latter now proprietor of a feed business and meat 
market in Ypsilanti. 

Harrison Fairchild spent the days of his bov- 
hood and youth under the parental roof and ac- 
quired his education in the public schools of 
Rochester. During the periods of vacation he 
worked in his father's large meat market in that 
city and under his direction learned the butcher's 
trade, which he has followed throughout his 
entire business career. He came to Ypsilanti in 
April, 1873, and has been in the meat business 
in this cit\- for thirty years, l)eing one of the 
best known and successful and reliable merchants 
of the city. He is now located at No. 14 North 
Huron street near the Occidental Hotel, where he 
is conducting a large and thoroughly up-to-date 
meat market, enjoying an extensive patronage 
from the best people of the city. His business 
25 



dealings have ever been characterized by honesty 
and straightforward methods and many of his 
patrons have for long years given to him their 
business support. 

In 1880 Mr. Fairchild was united in marriage 
to Miss Ann Mendill, of Ypsilanti. They have 
no children of their own but have adopted a son, 
H. H. Fairchild, who is now twenty-one years 
of age and assists his father in the conduct of 
the business. They have a pleasant home at No. 
126 Huron street and both Mr. and Mrs. Fair- 
child have an extensive circle of friends in the 
city where they have so long resided. Frater- 
nally a Mason, Mr. Fairchild belongs to Phoenix 
lodge, No. 123, A. F. & A. M., and has also 
taken the chapter degrees. In politics he is in- 
dependent but is never remiss in his duties of 
citizenship and has co-operated in many measures 
for local progress and general improvement. He 
holds membership in the Methodist church and 
his life has been characterized by principles 
which are indicative of his fidelity to the teach- 
ings of that denomination. 



FREDERICH C. KLINGLER. 

Frederich C. Klingler has spent his entire life 
in Ann Arbor, his native city. He was born: 
February 22, 1870. His father, Charles Klingler. 
was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. After 
coming to Ann Arbor he followed farming in 
Lima township, Washtenaw county. He married 
Frederica Frey, who is living in Chelsea, Michi- 
gan, and they became the parents of seven chil- 
dren, of whom four are living: William, a 
farmer, residing near Grass Lake, .Michigan : 
Airs. Amelia Henbriker, of Chelsea, Alichigan; 
Frederich C. : and Christian, a farmer, residing 
in Sylvan township, this countw 

Frederich C. Klingler was a student in the 
Lima district school in his early boyhood and 
then entered upon his business career in the em- 
ploy of G. F. Stein, proprietor of a meat market 
at Ann Arbor, with whom he continued for four 
years. He was afterward in the service of Henry 
aMtthews for three vears and five vears ago en- 



430 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



terc'd tlie firm iif (Jverbeck & Kliiisj^lcr. since 
which time he has had charg-e of the meat de- 
partment in this extensive establishment at the 
corner of Fourth and Liberty streets. Tlie firm 
has enjoyed a very successful existence, a i^row- 
ing trade adding- continually to their ])rosperity. 
In 1893 Mr. Klinglcr was married to .Miss Liz- 
zie Cox, of Petrolia, ( )ntario, and they have a 
daughter. N'ivian. now eleven years of age, and 
a student in the .\nn Arbor schools. The parents 
hold mcmbershiii in the Zion Lutheran church 
and Mr. Klingler is also connected with (iolden 
Rule lodge, Xo. 59, A. F. & .\. M., and with 
the Knights of the Maccabees. In his political 
allegiance he is a democrat. Having alwavs lived 
in Washtenaw comity his acquaintance within 
its borders is wide and he is best liked vvliere best 
known — a fact which indicates his fidelit\- tci ])rin- 
ciples that in every land and clime cniumand re- 
spect and confidence. 



.\.Mh:S If. FATOX. 



James H. Eaton, who was born in Xew ^'ork 
in 1833. died in iS()i. lie was known in Ann 
.\rbor in hi.s student da\s. for his |)rofessional 
education was lar.gely accpiired in the medical 
department of the l'niversit\- of Michigan. Later 
he |jursued s|>ring and summer courses in Albany 
Medical College at Alban\. Xew York, but he 
never entered upon the active |iractice of niecli- 
cine and surgery, but gave lii^ attention to mer- 
cantile pursuits. He entered a kindred field of busi- 
ness, however, becoming a retail drug merchant 
at Fayetteville, Onondaga county, Xew York, 
which was his native city. After cond\icting his 
store for six years he went upon the road as a 
salesman for a wholesale drug house of Syra- 
cuse, New York, and although he eventualh' be- 
came a member of the firm and was interested in 
the business as a ])artner up to the time of his 
death, he continued to travel, representing the 
house on the road with excellent success. I le 
had the geniality, friendly disposition and un 
failing courtesy as well as keen business sagacitv 
without which the salesman is never prospcri^us. 



( )n the 14th of h'ebruary, 1855, Mr. Faton was 
married to Miss Elizabeth .Storms, wdio was born 
in X^ew jersey and is a daughter of Jacob Storms 
of that state. Her father died in Ann Arbor, on 
March 2, 1880, while her mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Margaret Taylor, and was a na- 
tive of Xew York, died in this city in U)0^. at 
the age of seventy-five years. Air. Storms was a 
shoemaker by trade, following that pursuit 
throughout his entire business life. He removed 
from .Xew Jersey to .Ann Arbor in [841, and here 
he began work as a shoeiuaker, doing custom 
trade and repairing, while later he established a 
shoe store wdiich he carried on until, because of 
ill health, he was obliged to retire and enjoved a 
period of rest for several years prior to his de- 
mise. In his family were seven daughters and 
two sons, of whom seven are living, namely : Mrs. 
Eaton : Mrs. L. C. Kersey : Mrs. Rachel Dickin- 
son ; Mrs. Sarah Hadley, deceased ; George .Al- 
bert ; E. Jay : Mrs. Susan Higgins : Flora M.. 
deceased; and Mrs. Genevieve Jacobs. Mr., 
Storms was for many years a ])rominent and well 
known business man of .Ann .Arbor, active and 
enterprising in the work which claimed his at- 
tention, and as a merchant he contributed to the 
commercial prosperity here. 

In 1892, following her husband's death, Mrs. 
-Eaton removed from Syracuse, Xew A'ork. to 
.\nn Arbor, where she has since lived and where 
her early girlhood days were passed. 



WILLIAM S. MILLS, D. O. 

Dr. William .S. Mill.s. who with a constantly 
growing patronage is engaged in the practice of 
osteopathy in Ann .Arbor, was born in Martins- 
town, Missouri, on the 19th of July, 1865. His 
father. Sterling K. Mills, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and married .Anna Bovd, who died tweny- 
eight years ago. In their family were five chil- 
dren : William S. ; Neal M., now deceased; Ern- 
est M.. who is engaged in the practice of oste- 
opathy in Corsicana, Texas; Mrs. Mary B. West 
and Mrs. Laura F. Hatfield, both of Moscow, 
Idaho. 




lA.MES li. KA ruN. 




JACOB STORMS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW CUUNTY. 



435 



. In the schfxils of his native town Dr. Mills be- 
gan his education and his more specifically liter- 
ary course was pursued in the State Normal 
School at Kirksville, Missouri. He afterward 
engaged in teaching in various places in that 
state hut suhse(|ucntly turned liis attention to 
merchandising and was thus associated with com- 
mercial interests until he took U]) the practice of 
eisteopathy. He was graduated at the American 
School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, in 
IQOO, and in February of that year located for 
practice in Ann Arbor, where he now occupies 
a fine suite of rooms in the State Bank Building. 
His practice is continually growing and is now 
very large as the public comes to recognize the 
value of osteopathic treatment in alleviation of 
human ills. It is a comparative!}' new departure 
in the realms of science but its worth has long 
since been demonstrated and its followers are l)e- 
coming more numerous every \ea.T. as its effec- 
tiveness as a remedial agency is provern by the 
splendid results which follow its use. 

On the 22d of August, 1886, Dr. Mills was 
married to Miss Jane .\rcher, a native of Indiana, 
and they have one son, Hurr\ D. Mills, who at 
the age of fourteen years is a high school student 
in .Vnn .\rb(ir. Dr. .Mills has pleasant relations 
with the ( )dd b'ellows. the Modern Woodmen and 
the Masonic fraternity, being a valued rejire- 
sentative of these different organizations, and is 
now junior warden in the hraternit\ lodge. No. 
2(t2. A. V. & .\. .\l. His political allegiance is 
given to the democracy. Dr. Mills is a voung 
man of niarl<ed enterprise, wide-awake and ener- 
getic. kee])ing in tnuch with the world's progress, 
while an affable manner, genial disposition and 
deference for the opinions of others have gained 
him warm, personal regard. 



CHARLES 1'. I'.VRDOX. 

Charles V. Pardon, occupying an enviable posi- 
tion in the business circles of Ann Arbor, exem- 
plifies in his life record the fact that success is not 
a matter of genius but is the outcome of clear 
judgment, experience and laudable ambition. 



Without special advantages in his youth he has 
worked his way upward and is now proprietor of 
a large grocery and meat market in Ann Arlior, 
his native city. 

Mr, Pardon was born on the 20th of June, 1862, 
and like many of his fellow townsmen is of Ger- 
man lineage. His father, Edward Pardon, was a 
native of Germany and became a resident of Ann 
.\rbor in 1859. b'or many years he conducted a 
merchant tailoring business here with a large and 
profitable patronage and is now retired from act- 
ive Inisiness, still making his home in this cit\ in 
the enjoyment of the fruits of his former labor. 
.At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause 
of his adopted country and as a member of the 
Alichigan .Artillery served from 1861 until 1865. 
defending the Union cause. He marrietl Miss 
Wilhelmina Lindemann, with whom he long trav- 
eled life's journey Init the\- were separated b\- her 
(leath in 1802. In their famih- were eight chil- 
dren, namely: llulda, now the wife cif John 
Schneider ; lidward J., a business man of .\nn \v- 
bor : William E., who follows farming in .\nn 
-\rbi)r township; Charles 1'".; Mrs. Minnie Lutz, 
of this city: Emma, the wife of Jake Eschelbach. 
of .Ann Arbor : Frank, who is in the baker\ busi- 
ness in this city : and Clora, at home. 

Xo event of special importance c;)ccurred to 
vary the routine of life for Charles F. Pardon, 
who like most boys of the nn'ddle class divided 
his time between play and work and the duties of 
the school room in his }-outhful days. He is in- 
debted to the public school sytem of .Ann .Arbor 
for the educational ])rivileges that he enio\ed and 
that fitted him for life's jiractical duties. When 
his text books were laid aside he began learning 
the butcher's trade under the direction of |. 
Schneider of this cit\- and when he had become a 
good workman he embarked in business on his 
own account in .South l.\on, where he remained 
for si.x years. He then returned to .Ann .Arbor, 
where he opened a market, continuing this for six- 
years, when he further extended the field of his 
labors by adding an extensive grocery depart- 
ment. This was twelve years ago and he is still 
conducting business at Nos. 221 and 223 Main 
street, north, occupying a large brick building 
which he owns. An extensive business, drawing 



436 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



his patrons from among the best class of citizens, 
well directed activity and unremitting energy 
have made him a prosperous merchant. As he 
has prospered in his undertakings he has wisely 
placed his savings in property and now owns con- 
siderable real estate in Ann Arbor — the safest of 
all investments. 

In 1888 Mr. Pardon was married to Miss .Au- 
gusta Bethka of this city and they have four chil- 
dren : Elsie Pearl. Olga B., Carl and Leo, all of 
whom are attending school. Mr. Pardon is a 
member of Zion Lutheran church. He stands 
well in business circles, his name being an hon- 
ored one on commercial paper and those who 
know him entertain for him warm regard and 
admiration, which is ever given to those men who 
work their way upward through their own efforts 
and whose methods will bear the closest investiga- 
tion and scrutiny. Promptness, e.xactness and 
accuracy have been strong features in his busi- 
ness life and his keen discernment and indefatiga- 
ble energy are qualities which any might well 
emulate. 



FRANK DETTLING. 

Frank Dettling was born on the farm on which 
he lives on section 28, Freedom township, his 
natal \ear being 1866. Here he owns and culti- 
vates one hundred and thirty acres of land con- 
stituting a valuable and desirable property. He 
is of German lineage, his parents being George 
and Caroline (Weis) Dettling, both of whom 
were natives of Germany. The father came to the 
LTnited States when about twenty-five years of 
age and, making his way at once to Michigan, 
settled in Freedom township, Washtenaw county. 
He was a mason by trade and became a contractor 
in that line of building operations, securing a 
very extensive patronage, which justified the em- 
ployment of from fifteen to twenty men. He also 
carried on farming and was very prosperous in 
business career, holding at the time of his death a 
valuable and well improved farm of two hundred 
and ten acres. He voted with the democracy and 
was a comnnmicant of the Catholic church. His 
death occurred in 1876, when he was fifty-two 



years of age and the county thus lost one of its 
best German- American citizens, a man whose ef- 
forts contribtited to the general progress as well 
as to individual success and whose life exempli- 
fied the fact that prosperity is not a matter of 
genius but is the outcome of clear judgment, ex- 
perience and industry. His widow still survives 
and is living in Ann .\rbor at the age of sixty-six 
years. She was a daughter of Joseph and Tekla 
(Santer) Weis, who were natives of (iermany 
and came to the United States about 1850, locat- 
ing first near Adrian, Michigan, while later they 
took up their abode in Freedom township. Mr. 
and Mrs. Geodge Dettling were the parents of 
five children : Martha, deceased ; Frank ; 
Josephine, of Ann .\rbor ; Pauline, deceased; and 
Alatilda, the wife of E. L. Shoemaker, a grocer 
with J. .\. Brown, i>f .\nn .\rbor. By a previous 
marriage to l\liss .\nna Mosher the father had six 
children : Joseph and George, who are residents 
of Freedom township ; Elizabeth, the deceased 
wife of Theodore Ulrich ; Frances, the wife of 
Frederick Kern, of Manchester ; Louis, deceased ; 
and ^lary, the wife of Adam Riddle, of Bridge- 
water. 

Frank Dettling was reared upon the home farm 
and attended the district schools, subsequent to 
which time he was a student in the high school of 
■\L-mchester. He afterward engaged in teaching 
school through the winter terms for ten years and 
was a capable educator, giving excellent satisfac- 
tion in the districts where his services were en- 
gaged. FTe has always followed farming and is 
ti)-day the owner of one lumdred and thirty acres 
of valuable land which he has placed under a high 
state of cultivation anil which by reason of its ex- 
cellent condition constitutes one of the attractive 
features of the landscape. He raises Durham cat- 
tle and r.crkshire hogs and he also owns some 
good horses. 

On the 3d of .\pril. i8i;4, Mr. Dettling was 
united in marriage to Miss Ida AI. Staib. who was 
born in (jrass Lake township. Jackson county, in 
1870, and is a daughter of IMatthew and Mary 
(Kress) Staib, who were natives of Germany, 
whence they came to Washtenaw county, settling 
here at an earl\- day. Matthew Staib came to the 
United States with his parents a half century ago. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



437 



In his family were nine children: Ida M., who 
was born in this county and who is now Mrs. 
Detthng' : Fred E.. a merchant at Sahne. Michi- 
gan ; .\nna, the wife of Frank McCniire, of Sahne 
township ; Clara, a resident of Detroit ; Arthur, 
■\vh<i is living' on the old homestead farm in Clin- 
ton towiislii]), Lenawee coimty : Minnie and 
Grace, both at home; Leo. deceased: and Ber- 
nard, at home. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dettling has 
been blessed with six children: Ruth, born Jan- 
uary 24. 1895: Russell G., April 10, 1896: Ezra 
M., December 7, 1897; Paul ()., Jul\- 23, 1899: 
Alta, June 15, 1902: and Lawrence, January 3. 
1904. The parents are members of St. Dominic 
C'atholic church of Clinton and ]\Ir. Dettlino; be- 
longs to the Ancient ( )rder of United Workmen. 
He is a democrat and has been school insjiector. 
-while for five years he was supervisor of his town- 
ship. He is a man of high standing, being con- 
sidered one of the best farmers of the community, 
having a splendid pro])ert\' equii)pcd with fine 
buildings and all the accessories of a model farm 
of the twentieth century. In all of his liusiness 
dealings he has been straightforward and honora- 
ble and in citizenship has been loyal and progres- 
sive and in social life has been considerate and 
genial, so that the circle of his friends is con- 
stantly growing as the circle of his acquaintance 
increases. 



WILLIAM H. DORRANCE, D. D. S. 

William 11. Dorrance, formerU- a professor in 
the dental department of the L'niversity of Mich- 
igan and now in active practice in the city with 
a well appointed office which shows his familiar- 
ity with the most imprtjved methods of the sci- 
ence, was born in ( )rleans county, New York, 
August 29, 1842. His father, William H. Dor- 
rance. was a native of Massachusetts and in later 
life made his home in Albion, New York. He 
died in the year 1883. A portrait painter in his 
xonnger days, he afterward became a jeweler 
and engaged in that business throughout life. 
He married Julia A. Baldwin and thev became 



the [larents of seven children, namelv : William 
H.; Juliet, now Mrs. Packard, a widow living in 
.\nn Arbor; George, who is engaged in the 
jewelry business in Jackson, Michigan; Mary, 
the wife of a physician of Whiting, Iowa; Frank, 
deceased ; Silas, business manager of a large 
clothing store in New York city ; and Ada, who 
died in infancy. 

Dr. Dorrance supplemented his earh- educa- 
tion, acquired in the ])ul)lic schools, by a course 
in Albion Academy at Albion. New York, from 
which institution he was graduated. Subse- 
quently he entered the LTniversity of Michigan 
in 1877 and completed the full course in the 
dental department with the class of 1879. Pre- 
vious to this, however, he had received instruc- 
tion from a dentist in .\lbion. New York, and 
had engaged in practice from 1836 until 1861. 
Ahniifesting superior skill and aliility in the prac- 
tical work of the profession as well as compre- 
hensive knowledge of the science, he was chosen 
a teacher in the dental department of the State 
University in 1S77 and retained connection 
with the institution in that manner up to 1902. 
He is now actively engaged in practice in Ann 
Arbor with a well appointed office equipment 
with every modern appliance known to the science 
of dentistry, the practical utility and value of 
which have been proven. He has always kept 
abreast with the most modern thought concerning 
dental practice and in fact has been a leader in 
investigation and experiment resulting in benefit 
to the profession. His superior ability has as- 
sured him a liberal patronage and his position in 
the ranks of the dental fraternity is a foremost 
one. He belongs to the Washtenaw Medical So- 
ciety, the Michigan Medical Association, the De- 
troit Dental Society, the Michigan Dental So- 
ciety and other organizations for the dissemina- 
tion of knowledge that promotes the proficiency 
of the followers of his calling. 

Dr. Dorrance was married in 1867 to Miss 
Clara E. Baldwin, a representative of an old New 
York family, and they have three children : Wil- 
liam H., a mechanical engineer with the Solvav 
\\'orks in Detroit ; Susan Juliet : and Wendell 
P.aldwin, who is the wife of Robert M. Fox, one 
of the bridge engineers of the Michigan Central 



43'^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Railroad Compaii\-. The family residence is at 
No. 700 South ln,i;alls street, Ann Arbor. 

Dr. Dorrance is a very ])niniinent I\lason. hav- 
ing' attained the Teni]ilar des'ree of the York rite 
and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite 
and his name is also on the membership rolls of 
the Ro\al Arcanum and the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. In April. 1861, soon after the 
outbreak of the Civil war. he enlisted in the 
Twentv-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, 
which was assigned to the .Krniy of the Potomac, 
and he received an honorable discharge in Febru- 
ary, 1863. He is n(5w a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. His political support is 
given the republican party and his religious faith 
is indicated by his membership in the Baptist 
church. He is a man of scholarly attainments and 
broad intellectuality who b}- consecutive steps 
has advanced to a position of jirominence in the 
dental fraternity of Michigan. 



ALl'.FRT RENJAMIN PRESCOTT, M. D. 

.Albert IJenjamin IVescott, .M. D., Ph. D., 
LL. D., for many years director of the chemical 
laboratory and dean of the pharmacy department 
of the University of Michigan, was born in Hast- 
ings, Xew York, December 12, 1832. He was 
the son of Benjamin and Experience ( Huntley ) 
Prescott. He received the degree of Doctor of 
Medicine in the L'niversity of Michigan and at 
once volunteered, an<l was appointed assistant 
surgeon of the Michigan Infantry and was placed 
in charge of a hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, 
and subse(|uentl\- at Jeffersonville, Indiana. He 
was also a member of the medical examining 
board at Louisville. Kentuck\. 

In 1865 he returned to the L'niversity of Michi- 
gan as assistant professor of chemistry and lec- 
tured on organic chemistry and metallurgy. In 
1870 he was made professor of organic and ap- 
plied chemistry and of pharmacy, a title which 
was changed in i88g to professor of organic 
chemistry and of pharmacy. He was also made 
director of the chemical laboratory in 1884 and 
served as dean of the pharmacy department from 



1876 until his death. Februarx 25, 1905. The 
degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon Professor 
Prescott by the University of Michigan and the 
degree of LL. D. by the University of Michigan 
in 189''), Northwestern l'niversity also conferred 
the degree of LL. D. n|)()n him in 1903. Pro- 
fessor Prescott was a member of many scientific 
societies. In 1876 he was elected a fellow of 
the London Chemical Society. In 1886 he was 
elected president of the American Chemical So- 
ciety and in the .same year was made vice presi- 
dent of the .American .Association for the .Ad- 
vancement of Science and in 1890 president of 
that association. He was made one of the coun- 
cilors of the -American Chemical Society on its 
organization in 1891. He presided at the World's 
Congress of Chemists in Chicago in 1893 and in 
1900 was president of the .American Pharmaceu- 
tical Association. In irpi he became an honor- 
ary member of the J'.ritish Pharmaceutical con- 
ference. He was also a member of the .Amer- 
ican Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. In 
the year of 1880 at the convention of the I'nited 
States Pharmacopieia he was chairman of the 
sub-committee u]3on descriptive chemistry. He 
was a contributor to the ]ieriodical literature of 
chemistry from 1869 until his death, his work in- 
cluding reports of scientific work mider the direc- 
tion of the university chemical laboratory and his 
various chemical investigations, chiefly on ana- 
lytical organic chemistry. Among his books may 
l)e named Qualitative Chemical Analysis with 
Professor Douglas, which first apeared in 1874 
and ran through a number of editions ; Outlines 
of Proximate Organic Analysis, 1873; the Chemi- 
cal Examination of Alcoholic Liquors, 1875: 
First Book in Qualitative Chemistry, 1879; Or- 
ganic .\nalysis, .A Manual of the Descriptive 
and .\nalytical Chemistry of certain Chemical 
Compounds in Common Use, 1887. He con- 
tributed the chapter on .Alkaloids in the .Amer- 
ican Text-book of Legal .Medicine and Toxicol- 
ogy in MfOT,. 

Dr. Prescott was married December 25, i8fi6. 
to Miss .Abigail Freeburn, who was of Scotch- 
English lineage, being the daughter of Robert 
William and Nancy (Spear) Freeburn. She sur- 
vives him. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



439 



President Aiisjell, in his memorial address, 
spoke of Dr. Prescott as a man of singular 
modesty, most winning amiability, positive in his 
convictions and persistent in his work, a man of 
the highest ethical and religious temperament, of 
the simplest character and the purest motives. He 
had i1k' respect and admiration of his colleagues, 
his students and his townsmen, and what he was 
to the university in its years of development and 
growth was best shown b\ the esteem in which 
he was held by his associates of the faculty, by the 
students who have been under him and by the 
profession at large to wlmm his writings have 
been an encouragement and an aid. 

For many years Dr. Prescott was an elder in the 
Presbyterian church. He was faithful in all the 
relations of life and his memor\- is kept green in 
the hearts of man\ \oimg men who learned to 
love him. 



R. L. SPEECH LEY. 



R. L. Speechley, living in Ann Arbor town- 
ship, where he follows general farming, is a na- 
ti\e son of England, born in 1835. His parents. 
R. J. and Elizabeth ( Lancaster ) Speechlev, were 
also native of that country and in the vear 1836 
the fatlier brought his famih- to the new world, 
settling first in Canada, whence he removed to 
Washtenaw county, Michigan, in 1838. He first 
])urchaseil ten acres of land in .\nn Arlior t(iwn- 
shi]). where he began garflening and upon that 
place he lived for twenty vears. He then ac- 
cepted the a|)]iointment to the position of janitor 
of the L'nion school, in which capacity he was 
retained for several years, or up to the time of his 
death in 1870. In his family were three children : 
R. L. : Martha, the wife of John Peech : and 
Susan, the wife of Cornelius Cook. 

1\. I,. .Speechley, whose name introduces this 
record. begTin his education in the district schools 
and upon the home farm worked when not busv 
with ihe diuies of the school room. He remained 
with his father until 1866 and then started out 
in life nn his own account. Whatever success he 
has since achieved or enjoyed is due entirely to 
In's iiwn efforts. In iSC/i he was married tn Miss 



.-\nna \\'allington. a daughter of Edward Wal- 
lington. and following his marriage he worked 
upon his father-in-law's farm for a time, but in 
1868 took lip his abode upon his present farm on 
section 35. .\nn .\rbor township, where he pur- 
chased one hundred and eleven acres of land. He 
has since sold fifteen acres of this property but 
still retains possession of ninety-six acres, which 
constitutes a good farm. He carries on general 
agricultural pursuits, his |)rincipal crops being- 
wheat, oats, potatoes and beans and he also feeds 
some stock, both branches of his business prov- 
ing profitable. The farm is a well developed 
property and Mr. Speechley is now in comfort- 
able financial circumstances. 

Unto our subject and his wife have been born 
three daughters: Martha, who is now a nurse at 
I'ort Wayne. Indiana ; Susie, at home : and Carrie, 
who is also a nurse at Fort Wayne. The family 
are well known in .\nn Arbor township and enjov 
the warm regard of many friends. In politics 
Mr. Speechley has been an earnest republican 
since casting his first presidential ballot and has 
firm faith in the principles of the ])arty. He is a 
man of generous impulses and kindly disposition 
and his benevolent spirit, deference for the opin- 
ions of others and honesty in business life have 
gained for him the high reg-ard and warm esteem 
of all with whom he has been brought in contact. 



CHARLES STEIXRACH. 

Charles .Steinbach, who since the spring of 1872 
lias been engaged in the harness business in Chel- 
sea, with a patronage that makes him a prosper- 
ous merchant, while his business methods and cn- 
terjirising sjjirit constitute him one of the leading 
representatives of commercial interests in the 
town, was born in Hessen. Cermanv. in 1844. 
1 lis ])arents were Henry and Catherine ( \'olland ) 
.Steinbach. The father came to .\nierica with his 
family in 1854 and made his way at once to 
.Michigan. Me was first engaged in the grocery 
business in lun-ope, but by trade was a weaver. 
When he arriyed here he purchased a farm of 
eighty acres north of Ann Arbor, which he 



440 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



cleared and iinprnvud ci mtiiuiinjL; its cultivation 
until 1865, when he sold that property and re- 
moved to the Nowland farm a mile and a half 
to the north. He rented that ]ilace for a year and 
in the fall of 1865 bousjht a farm a quarter of a 
mile west of Lima Center, com|)risinii- one hmi- 
dren and ten acres, to which he adilcd by addi- 
tional purchases until his place comprised one 
hundred and ninety acres of rich and valuable 
land. He was thus identified with agricultural 
pursuits up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred December 31, iSqi. His wife died July 
30. 1896. In their faniil\- were ten children: 
Charles, born July 15, 1844; Jacob, Aut^ust 2"/, 
1846; Martha Elizabeth. Februar\- 10. i84(;: I'ur- 
nett, February 17, 1831 : Martin, who was liorn 
April 8, 1853, and died in March. 1885 : Caroline. 
who was born Noveiuber i. 1855, and is the wife 
of Peter Oesterle, of Sylvan township; Minnie 
Eva, who was born October 27, 1859, and is con- 
ductinsj the Utopia Millinery Parlor at Ann Ar- 
bor ; John Henry, born March 3, 1862; George, 
born May 3, 1866; and Anna Catherine, who was 
born May 22, 1872, and is the wife of Herman 
Fletcher, of Lima township. The father was a re- 
publican, active in the work of the party and 
■deeply interested in its success. His wife was a 
sister of Herman and Jacob \'olland, the oldest 
harness merchants of Ann Arbor. 

Charles Steinbach acquired his early education 
in the schools of Germany and laid the foundation 
for a successful career. After coming to .Amer- 
ica he remained on his father's farm until 1861, 
a'hen in August of that year he entered the em- 
ploy of Jacob A'olland, of Ann Arbor, with whom 
he remained for three years during which time he 
learned the harness maker's trade. Tn the fall of 
1864 he returned to the iTime farm spending the 
winter with his father's family, and then came to 
Chelsea, where he spent six months. In the spring 
he removed to Lima Center, where he engaged in 
business on his own account for five years, and 
in the spring of 1872 he returned to Chelsea, 
where he has since engaged in the harness busi- 
ness with gratifying success. In 1894 he erected 
a fine brick business block forty bv sixtv feet and 
two stories in height. Here he is conducting an 
excellent business, lieing accorded a liberal pat- 



ronage. In 1880 he was granted a patent on a 
harness pad and in 1881 was granted a patent on 
a gig tree for harness. He began the manufac- 
ture of those articles at .\nn Arbor but owing to 
a destructive fire and the competition of others 
who forced him out of business he was never able 
to ]ilace his inventions on the market. He has, 
however, ])rospered in his industrial and mercan- 
tile efforts and is now conducting a good business 
in Chelsea. 

( )n the 19th of March, 1872, Mr. Steinbach was 
married to Miss Martha Hutzel, a daughter of 
.\ugnst Hutzel, who is represented elsewhere in 
this work. They have seven children : Henry A., 
who is married and is connected with the P>ell 
Telephone Company ; ( )tto, who is a piano tuner 
living in Adrian, Michigan; Charlotte Anna, who 
is engaged in teaching in Jackson; Emily, who 
follows the profession of teacing in Sylvan ; 
Helena Louise, who is a graduate of the Michigan 
University and is engaged in teaching music ; Ed- 
,gar T., who is in the west; and Albert Martin, at 
home. The familv possess exceptional musical 
talent and skill and Mr. Steinbach at one time was 
a teacher of the violin. In his political views he 
is an earnest republican and for some time he 
served as township treasurer in Lima, while for 
four years he was postmaster at Lima Center. 
Fraternally he is connected with Olive lodge. No. 
156, A. F. & A. M., with the Knights of the Mac- 
cabees and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. There have been some discouraging and 
disheartening features in his career but the obsta- 
cles he has met have been overcome by deter- 
mined and earnest purpose and he has gradually 
and steadily worked his way upward, gaining a 
comfortable competence and an honored name as 
well. 



THOMAS ROWE. 



Thomas Rowe. who is engaged in the laundry 
business in .-\nn Arbor, was born near Montreal, 
Canada, on the 30th of October, 1863, and is a 
son of William and Eliza Rowe. The father 
came to Washtenaw county about twenty-seven 
years ago, and is now living tipon a farm west 




THO.MAS ROWE. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



443 



of the cit\ . his attention beinj^' given in nndivided 
manner to his agricultnral interests. L'nto him 
and his wife were born eight children, of whom 
seven are vet living-, namely : Elisha, Thomas. 
Elizabeth, Michael, William. Matthew and 
George. 

Thomas Rowe came to Michigan when a yonth 
of fourteen years, and inirsiied his education in 
the schools of Ypsilanti, completing his studies in 
1876, He afterward engaged in business as a 
railroad machinist for six years, and then turned 
his attention to farming and the dairy business, 
selling milk in lirooklyn, Jackson county. Dur- 
ing the ])ast seven years he has conducted a laun- 
dry in .\nn .\rbor, and in this work has securer' 
a liberal and growing patronage which enables 
him to conduct a delivery system and em])loy a 
large force in the operation of the plant. The 
excellent work which he does and his good busi- 
ness principles constitute the secret of his .grati- 
fying success. 

In 1888 Mr. Rowe was united in marriage to 
Miss Mabel E, F5asom, of the town of \'(irk, and 
they have one child, Mabel E.. who at the age of 
twelve years is attending school. In his political 
views Mr. Rowe is an earnest republican, while 
his religious faith is indicated by his membershiii 
in the .Methodist church. He resides at Xo. Ti2(-< 
North Fifth avenue, and his business is located 
at Xo. 4or) Detroit street, where he is conducting 
a fine and well equi])ped hand laundry. .Since en- 
tering upon this work his efforts have been at- 
tended with success, and he is now a well known 
representative of industrial life in .\nn Arbor. 



.\1.\RY L. HAMILTON. 

.Mar\ L. Hamilton, who has developed a 
splendid business as a representative of fire and 
life insurance companies in Ann Arbor, and who 
is also agent for improved and unimproved real 
estate, is a native of .Salem township, Washtenaw 
county, born July 7, 1854. Her father, Warren 
Hamilton, was of .Scotch descent and settled on a 
large farm in .Salem township, when he came to 
this countw Removing later to .\nn .\rbor he 



acted as president of the Washtenaw .Mutual 
[•"ire Insurance Company for manv years. He 
was a very active and influential worker in the 
F'resbyterian church, in which for a number of 
years he served as presiding elder. He had two 
sisters, Mrs, John Pebbles, of Salem township ; 
and Mrs. Horace Bradley, who is now living in 
Corunna, .Michigan, at the age of eighty-one 
years. Mr. Hamilton, however, passed away 
May 18, 1877. while his wife, who bore the 
maiden name of .-\nna ^^'aldron, died on the loth 
of December, 1897, at the age of eighty-two 
years. She was a native of Seneca cotmty. New 
York, and received her early education in Ovid 
.\cadem\-. She was a woman of su])erior char- 
acter and culture, leading a strong, helpful life. 
In their family were eight children, namely: 
.Mary J., who died March 12, 1842: Frederick, 
who died January 20. 184.^ ; Theresa, who passed 
away September 28, 1874; William R.. who died 
Ma\- I, 1892: .Alexander White, who was a 
prominent business man of .Ann .Arbor and was 
instrumental in securing the establishment of the 
first waterworks here, acting as its president and 
superintendent for several years and re])resent- 
ing a number of fire and life insurance com- 
panies, besides practicing law here for twenty 
years: Florence .\.. who flied May 30, 1884: and 
Joel Warren, who was postmaster at Eaton. Indi- 
ana, for a number of years and cashier of the 
bank there and also engaged in mining in 
.Mexico, 

.Miss Hamilton, whose name introduces this 
record, liegan her education in the schools of 
Salem township and continued her studies in the 
high schofjl of .Ann .Arbor. She has been in 
business herself for eleven years as a represent- 
ative of various fire and life insurance companies 
and the policies which she has written represent 
an investment of manv thousands of flollars. She 
is also agent of improved and unimjiroved real 
estate and has a wide knowledge of jjroperty 
values and has negotiated a number of important 
realty transfers. Through her own untiring 
effort she has built up an excellent business 
which now returns to her a very gratifying an- 
nual income. She resides in a beautiful home at 
\'o. 219 Thaxer street, south, and she has a 



444 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



wide and favorable social as well as business ac- 
t(iiaintance in Ann Arbor. She has been an 
active worker in the Presbyterian church, and 
she possesses a fine soprano voice and musical 
talent of superior order that makes her a favorite 
in musical circles in this citv. 



JAMES JUDSON PARSHALL. 

James Judson Parshall. who is carrying- on 
general farming and fruit raising in Ann Arbor 
township, giving- supervision to his business in- 
terests although he has passed the eighty-sixth 
milestone on life's journey, was born in Palmyra, 
New York, February 23, 1820. He is a repre- 
sentative of one of the old New England families 
and the ancestry can be traced back to England. 
The first of the family to come to America was 
James Parshall, who was sent here by the English 
government to build a fort at the mouth of the 
Connecticut river at Saybrook. He landed on 
the shores of the new world in 1634 and devoted 
his life to civil engineering and surveying. The 
great-great-grandfather of our subject was a 
minister and the great-grandfather. Jonathan 
Parshall, followed the occupation of farming on 
Long Island, while James Parshall, the grand- 
father, who resided in Orange county, New York, 
followed the occupation of surveying and died in 
Palmyra in 1825. 

John Parshall, father of our subject, was a 
native of the Empire state and married Persis 
Hopkinson, who was also born in New York. He 
was a farmer in early life but became better 
known as a contractor and builder of canals and 
took a contract for the construction of a part of 
the Erie canal. He was likewise engaged in 
canal building in Ohio. Michigan and Illinois and 
was also engaged in the mercantile business. He 
died in the year 1857. In his family were eleven 
children : Harriet, Julia. Sallie, Elizabeth, James 
J., Rebecca, Norman, Caleb, John Melvin, Charles 
Henry and Priscilla. The father was a soldier 
of the war of 1812 holding the rank of lieu- 
tenant and there were eleven representatives of 
the familv name in the Revolutionarv war. so 



that it will be seen that ]5atriotism and loyalty 
have been among the strong characteristics of 
the Parshalls. 

James Judson Parshall, of this review, was 
brought to Michigan in his youth and was a 
student in the schools of Pontiac. After putting 
aside his text books he was employed in a store 
until twenty-one years of age, when he went 
upon the lakes, spending three years as a soldier. 
In January, 1845. 'i*? came to Ann Arbor and 
soon afterward purchased a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Ann Arbor township, while 
subsequently he bought sixty acres of land ad- 
ditional. All of this land he cleared, taking 
from it about eight hundred cords of stone, which 
was used for building purposes in Ann Arb(ir. 
He laid out Geddes avenue, which passes his 
home, and was the first man to travel over it. 
Mr. Parshall has carried on general agricultural 
pursuits, cultivating the crops best adapted to 
soil and climate and also raising sheep. He has 
likewise given considerable attention to horti- 
cidtural pursuits and at one time had an orchard 
of five thousand peach trees. At the present time 
he has one thousand peach trees, four hundred 
ap])le trees and six hundred pear trees in bearing 
condition and his fruit raising interests constitute 
nil nnim|)(irtant part of his business. 

In 1845 -^I''- Parshall was united in marriage 
to Miss Esther 3iIcFarland and unto them were 
born five children, of whom two are yet living, 
namely ; .\. J., who is a civil engineer in the em- 
ploy of the L'nited States government at Chey- 
enne, Wyoming ; and Florence, who is the wife 
of C. R. Plenry, an attorney of Alpena, Michigan. 
The ni(.)ther of these children died in October, 
1856, and in March, 1857, Mr. Parshall married 
Elizabeth Culbertson, bv whom he had a son, 
Charles, now managing the home farm. For his 
third wife he married Mrs. Sarah Stevenson, 
no\v deceased, and to them was born a daughter, 
Lena, at home. 

In his political views Mr. Parshall is an 
earnest democrat and his fellow townsmen, recog- 
nizing his worth and ability, have called him to 
some offices. He has served as county drain 
commissioner for eight years and as county 
supervisor for one year, and at all times and in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



445 



all relations of life he has been Iciyal to the best 
interests of the coiuity in which he has so long 
made his home, living here from pioneer times to 
the present. His name is a synonym for honor 
and integrit\- in bnsiness affairs, and in the even- 
ing of life he is enjoying the respect and vener- 
ation which shonld ever be acc(3rded one who 
has advanced thus far on the journey. His suc- 
cess is attributable entirely to his own eft'orts 
and his honestx', and his life record presents 
man\' traits of character worth\- of emulation. 



ALBERT D. ENGLISH. 

Albert D. English was born on the farm where 
he now resides on section 21, Manchester town- 
ship, his natal year being 1862. His father, 
Benjamin G. English, was a native of Ireland, 
born November 14, 1832, and in 1836 was 
brought to the LTnited States by his parents, Rich- 
ard and Susan (Green) English. The father of 
Richard English came to Michigan from Ireland 
in 1834 and located in the southeastern part of 
Manchester township, where he died in 1846. 
His grandson, John English, brother of Benjamin 
G. English, lived on section 23, Manchester 
township, and there died in 1902. He was mar- 
ried to Cordelia A. J. Watkins, a daughter of 
Royal Watkins. Cordelia English died in Febru- 
ary, 1879, 3"'^ '" November. 1897, John English 
married Mrs. Margaret Zeigler, the widow of 
Philip Zeigler and a daughter of John !>. and 
Magdalena (Kern) Bauer. She is still living on 
the old John English homestead. She had no 
children bv her last husband but had one by her 
first marriage. Christian Zeigler, who is also at 
home. John English was one of the prosperous 
farmers of Manchester township, owning over 
two hundred acres of rich and arable land. He 
held membership with the Baptist denomination 
and was one of the founders of the Iron Creek 
church, in which he also served as an officer. His 
political support was given to the democracy. 
The grandfather, Richard English, bought the 
farm upon w-hich Albert D. English now resides 
and there he reared his family of eight children, 
26 



namelv : Ann, who is the wife of Richard Green, 
of Manchester township ; John G.. who died in 
January. 1902 ; Benjamin G. ; Sarah, the wife of 
Lucius D. Watkins. of Norvell township, Jack- 
son countv, Michigan ; .Susan, who is the widow 
of John Paine Lowe and resides in Paterson, New 
Jersey, her luisliand having been publisher of the 
Farm Journal of New York city; James W., who 
died in 1864: Richard W., a contractor and 
builder at West Duluth, Minnesota ; Eliza R., 
the wife of Henry R. Palmer, of Bridgewater 
township, Washtenaw county ; and Matilda, who 
died in infancv. Of this family James W. was 
a soldier of the Civil war. He became a mem- 
ber of the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry, enlist- 
ing at Manchester in 1861 and was under Gen- 
eral McClellan in all of his campaigns. He was 
captured at the battle of Spottsylvania Court- 
house and taken to Andersonville prison, where 
he died in i8f)4, when about forty years of age. 
Ricliard English, the father of this family, was 
for his day a very prosperous man and at his 
death owned three hundred and twenty acres of 
rich and valuable land. He was an active worker 
in the Baptist church of Manchester, served as 
one of its officers and did all in his power to pro- 
mote its growth and extend its influence. A 
gentleman of sterling integrity and splendid 
character, he enjoyed the love and esteem of 
his neighbors and many friends. His political 
support was given to the democracy and he was 
always loyal to any cause which he espoused. 
His death occurred in 1833, when he was fifty 
years of age. 

Benjamin G. English, father of our subject, 
was reared upon the old family homestead and a 
few years after his father's death came into pos- 
session of the old home farm, which he success- 
fully conducted for many years or until he re- 
tired to Manchester about ten years prior to his 
demise, which occurred February 21, 1905. He 
owned and operated one hundred and fifty acres 
of land and was a general farmer, practical and 
l)rogressive in his methods. He belonged to the 
Freewill Baptist church, was active in its work 
and was one of the founders of the Iron Creek 
church in ]\Ianchester township. He, too, voted 
with the democracy hut he believed in the gold 



446 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



standard. For seventeen years he filled the of- 
fice of justice of the peace and his lono- contin- 
netl service ccrtainh- indicates his fidelity and 
justice in the discharge of his duties. He wedded 
jNIiss Mary Baldwin, whose hirth occurred in 
the state of New York, on the 17th of .Vugiist, 
1832, and who is now living in Manchester. Her 
parents were Francis and Jane (Lee) Baldwin, 
members of the Baptist church and in their fam- 
il}- there were five children : .\nnetta, who was 
horn in 1859 and is living with her mother; Lucy, 
whn became the wife of Rev. Frederick Sim- 
mons, a minister (jf the Baptist church and died 
at her home in Sheridan. Montcalm county, 
^lichigan, in iqoi, at the age of forty years; 
Albert D., of this review; James W., who died 
in 1872, at the age of seven years; and Elwin B., 
who was born in 1874 and is living in Man- 
chester township. 

.\lbert D. English was reared on the farm 
which is yet his home. He has always lived 
here and he now owns one hundred and twent\' 
acres of this place and sixty acres on section 28, 
IManchester township. In his youth he attended 
the ilistrict schools and afterward completed his 
literary course in Manchester high school, from 
which he was graduated in 1881. He taught 
school for one term but has always followed 
farming and is today one of the most prosperous 
and progressive agriculturists of his townshi]3. 
He has a beautiful home and upon the place are 
splendid barns and other equipments, including 
the latest improved machinery to facilitate the 
work of the fields. He is likewise a stockholder 
in the Ihiion Savings Bank of Manchester, of 
whicli his father was president from its organiza- 
tion in i8ij4 until his death. He also owns stock 
in the Manchester creamery. 

On the 2(1 of November. 1898. Mr. English 
was married to Miss Marion 1!. Monteitlf. who 
was born in Monteith. .\llen county, Michigan, 
in 1863, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret 
(Campbell) Monteith. The father was a native 
of New York and came to MichigTin in 1838, 
settling; in .\llegan county, where he followed 
agricultural pursuits. His wife was a flaughter 
of Robert and Jane Campbell, who came to this 
state in 1835, locating in St. Joseph county. The 



town of Monteith, which is a railroad center, was 
named in honor of Thomas Monteith. In the 
Monteith famil}- were eight children : Robert C, 
deceased ; David P., who is living in Martin town- 
ship. Allegan county ; Julia, who has also passed 
away; Thomas, a farmer of Allegan county; 
Sarah and Jennie, both deceased ; Marion ; and 
Maggie .S.. who is the wife of James E. Harper, 
a jeweler living in Delhi, New York. 

The only child of j\fr. and ^Irs. English, 
Thomas, rlicd in infancy. ^Ir. English belongs 
to the Iron Creek P'reewill Baptist church, of 
which he is a trustee and his wife is a member 
of the United Presbyterian church of Martin. 
He gives his political support to the democracy 
and has served as sclinol ins])ecti)r <if his 
township. 



RUSSELL E. ATCrilS()N, U. D. 

Dr. Russell E. .\tcliison, superintendent of the 
Homeopathic (University) Hospital, at .\nn Ar- 
bor, was born in .Salem townshi]), Washtenaw 
County, on the 22(1 of July. 1870, his |)arents be- 
ing .Stephen and Melissa (Knapp) .\tchison, both 
of whom are natives of tlie state of New York, 
but are now living (ju a (arm in .Salem township, 
having removed from the Empire state to Wash- 
tenaw county, since which time the father has car- 
ried on agricultiu^al jnu'snits here. In their fam- 
ily are five children : Addie, now the wife of 
Dean Perkins ; Russell E. ; Fred E., a real-estate 
man in Detroit; M\ron E., a resident farmer of 
.^alem ; and Florence, the wife of Dr. Robertson, 
of Battle Creek, Michigan. 

Dr. Atchison, .of this review, began his educa- 
tion in the schools of Salem, was graduated at 
the high school in Fenton. and supplemented his 
earl}- training by stud\' in the Ypsilanti Normal. 
He came to Ann .\rbor in 1895 and entered the 
medical (le])artment of the ITniversity of Michi- 
gan, being graduated therefrom in the class of 
I (JOG. He at once entered upon active practice, 
and is now superintendent of the Homeopathic 
Hos])ital c(.)nnected with the universit}'. This 
is an immense institution and the position which 
Dr. .\tchison fills is, therefore, a very important 




DR. k. I-:. ATCHISOX. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



449 



and responsible one. .\ broad minil, continued 
investigation and research and an experience of 
tile practical working of the profession have well 
(]nalified him for the duties which have devolved 
iijion him, and during his five years' service as 
superintendent his course has given excellent 
satisfaction to the medical trustees as well as to 
the nian\- patients who have received treatment 
here. 

In 1900 I3r. Atchison was united in marriage 
to Miss Anna B. McRae. a native of Beecher, ( )n- 
tario, Canada. The hospitality of the best homes 
is freely accorded them, and they occupy an envi- 
able position in social circles. Dr. Atchison is a 
member of the Alpha Sigma fraternity, also of 
the \\'ashtenaw Medical Society and of the 
Homeopathic Institute. 



LE\T DOUGLAS WINES. 

Levi Douglas Wines, well known in educa- 
tional, musical and political circles in Ann Arbor 
and wielding a wide influence for advancement 
in these lines in the city wdiere he makes his 
home, was here born on the 24th of May, 1852, 
his parents being Daniel Erasmus and Phoebe 
H. (Douglas) Wines. The father, a native of 
Connecticut, became a pioneer settler of Michi- 
gan, taking up his abode in Detroit in 183 1. 
He removed to Ann Arbor in 1837 and for many 
vears in his business career was engaged in con- 
tracting and building. He died in 1803, his re- 
mains being interred in Forest Hill cemetery, 
Ann .Arbor, and ten years later, in 1003. his 
w'idow passed away. The only daughter liorn 
of their unii}n is Mrs. Hale, of Detroit. The 
father was first married to Ann Maria Baker, by 
whom he had two children : Charles A. Wines, 
now of Grand Rapids: and .\bram I!, Wines, a 
contractor of .A.nn Arbor. For her first husband 
Mrs. Phoebe H. Wines married Charles H. Lud- 
\o\v, of Long Island. New York, and to them 
was born one child, Charles H. Ludlow, now a 
resident of Detroit. 

Levi D. W'ines, the only son of the second 
marriage, began his education in the ])ublic 



schools of his native cit\- at the usual age and 
passed through successive grades until he had 
completed the high-school course by graduation 
with the class of 1870. He afterward took up 
a course of stu(l\ in the engineering department 
of the University of Michigan and is one of its 
alumni of 1874. Through the succeeding five 
\-cars liis time and energies were devoted to 
engineering and on the expiration of that period 
he became a teacher in Ann Arbor in the fall of 
1879 and is now jirofessor of senior mathematics 
in the high school. .A.S an educator he is capable, 
zealous and earnest, imparting readily and clearly 
to others the knowledge that he has acquired and 
his identification with the public-school system 
of Ann Arbor for a period of twenty-six years 
stands in incontrovertil)le evidence of the promi- 
nent place which he occupies as an educator in 
public regard. Professor Wines is also well 
known in musical circles in this city and has been 
treasurer of the Choral Union since the fall of 
1890 and treasurer of the School of Music of the 
Universitv of Michigan since its organization in 
1892. In fact, he was one of the promoters of 
the school. 

In 1882 Professor Wines was married to Miss 
Susie C. King, a native of the state of New 
York, and they have become the parents of four 
children : Olive Lillie, a graduate of the high 
school of Ann Arbor and now a student in the 
literary department of the university ; Harold 
Douglas, likewise a graduate of the high school 
and now pursuing an engineering course in the 
university ; Dorothy Phoebe and William Brad- 
ford, who are public school students here. 

Mr. ^Vines is recognized as a local political 
leader, exercising his right of franchise in sup- 
port of the republican party, upon whose ticket 
he has been called to several positions of public 
honor and trust. He has twice represented his 
ward on the board of aldermen and was presi- 
dent I if the council for one term, while at this 
writing, in 1905, he is a member of the board of 
park commissioners. He is a Mason, belonging 
to Fraternity lodge. No. 262, F. & A. M., and 
to .\nn Arbor commandery. No. 13, K. T. He 
is a steward in the Methodist church and takes 
an interested and helpfid part in various lines of 



450 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



church activity. His is a well rouiKlcd character 
in which due attention is given to the physical, 
mental and moral development of his nature and 
with a recognition of man's ohligations to his fel- 
lowmen he has lahored for the hest interests of 
the city and for the jironiotion of its aesthetic 
and intellectual culture. 



FR.WCIS J. LEWIS. 

Francis J. Lewis, deceased, an honored veteran 
of the Civil war and for many years a respected 
and valued resident of Ann Arbor, was born in 
this city on the loth of February, 1844. His 
parents became residents here in pioneer times. 
The mother died .\ugust 28, 1905, at the ad- 
vanced age of eight}- }'ears after a residence of 
sixtv-five \ears in Ann .\rbor. having established 
her home here in 1840. 

Francis j. Lewis was familiar with the city 
in its early da} s when it ga\-e little promise of 
attaining its present prestige as a commercial and 
intellectual center. His education was ac(|uired 
in the public schools. He manifested his loyalty 
to the government at the time of the Civil war 
by enlisting in 1861 in the Fifth Michigan 
Cavalr\- and serving with ( leneral Custer's 
brigade. He was with the army for four years 
and one month and was a brave and loyal soldier, 
never faltering in the performance of any mili- 
tary duty assigned to him. He gave his political 
allegiance to the republican party which stood as 
the defender of the L'nion in the dark da\s of 
the country's peril and which has always been 
the champion of reform, improvement and 
progress. 

After his return from the war. Mr. Lewis 
entered the em])lo\- of the Michigan Central Rail- 
road as brakeman on a passenger train and filled 
that position for three years. About 1869 he 
opened a flour and feed store in Ann Arbor, 
which lie conducted for two \-ears, and on selling 
out opened a summer hotel at Michigan Center, 
four miles east of Jackson, Michigan, which he 
conducted for seventeen years. He then dis- 
posed of the pro|)ert\' and rtturned to .\nn Arbor, 



carrying on a billi.'ird hall here for six months, 
but at the end of that time he was obliged to 
give u|) business on account of ill health, and 
practicall\- lived retired until his death. 

On the 12th of May, 1870, Mr. Lewis was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary ^L Crosby, 
wliose parents. James B. and Martha ( Hendrix) 
Crosby, were natives of the state of New York. 
At an early day in the development of Michigan 
the\ came to Washtenaw county and later the 
father engaged in farming for a number of years 
in Wayne county, owning and operating a large 
tract of land near ri\niouth. He died in the 
year 1892 and is still survived by his wife, who 
is now living in Tuscola county, Michigan. In 
the famil\- of this worth}' couple were six chil- 
dren: .Mrs. -Mice .\. Johnson, also a resident of 
Tuscola county; .Mar}- M.. widow of Francis J. 
Lewis: Charles W'.. who is a manufacturer of 
Jackson. Michigan: Warren C. who follows 
farming in Tuscola ci)unty : Mrs. Lydia F. 
M}res. of Saline. Michig-an; and Mrs. Emma A. 
Maddigan. of Cleveland, Ohio. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Lewis becan-ie the parents of 
one son, James C, who is now a memljer of the 
Ann .\rbor bar. Mr. Lewis passed away May 
31. 181J4, after a residence of a lialf century in 
this citv and the fact that many of his stanchest 
friends were numbered an-iong those who knew 
him from his bo}-hood to the date of his death is 
an indication that his life was a most honorable 
and upright one. In all matters of citizenship he 
was lo\-al and progressive, in business was re- 
lialile and he held friendship inviolable, but it 
was in his home that his best traits of character 
were displayed, for he was ver}- devoted to the 
welfare of his familv. 



RORFRI 



K )\\FLL. D. D. S. 



K'oliert I'.. Ill iwell, one of the leading instructors 
in the dental department of the Cni\-ersit\ "f 
.Michigan, to wluim is accorded a liberal jjatron- 
age in the ]irivate of his j^rofession in .\nn .\rbor, 
was liorn in l'on-iero\-, Ohio. <in the iSth nf June, 
iS~(). His father. Thomas .^. ITowell, was an 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



451 



expert accountant cif Ci)lnnilnis, t )liiii. fur a num- 
ber of years but is now enga.ij'ed in the insurance 
business in Tulcdn. He married Helen Al. Hoff, 
wbo resides with her sun. Dr. Howell, in Ann 
Arbor, hi the family were three cliildren: Rol)- 
ert i'>. ; Nellie May. livinj;' in this city ; and James 
Hoff, who is attending- the hi.^ii school of Ann 
.\rbor. 

Dr, Howell act|uired his preliminary education 
in the public schools and ( )hio State University of 
t_'olumbus, ( )hio. As a preparation for his chosen 
jirofession he matriculated in the L'niversity of 
Alichii^an in the fall of 1895 ''*"f' c-ompleted the 
full course in the dental department in the class 
of i8g8. Thus well equip]ied by theoretical train- 
in,5' for the duties he had chosen as a life work he 
]int his knowledge to the practical test in practice 
in Ann Arbor and now has a splendidly equi])ped 
office at No. 711 North University avenue, which 
is an indication of his success in his chosen field 
of endeavor. He is thoroughlv familiar with the 
modern methods of dental practice and his pains- 
taking care and accuracy in all of his work have 
gained for him a very gratif\ing success. His 
standing in the profession is also indicated by the 
fact that he has been chosen in the dental <lepart- 
ment of the imiversity and as an educator he is 
capable, imjiarting clearly and readily to others 
the knowledge that he has acquired. 

Dr. Howell is a member of the Detroit DentaJ 
.'-icjciety. the Washtenaw County Dental Society, 
the Michigan State Dental Society and various 
other medical and dental societies for the dissem- 
ination of knowledge relating to the profession 
whereby proficiency of its representatives is pro- 
moted. He has fraternal relations with the Delta 
Sigma Delta and also with the Masonic lodge in 
.\nn .\rbor and he is a member of the Baptist 
chm"ch. 



WESLEY E. HOWE. 

\\'esley E. Howe is a representative of one of 
Michigan's pioneer families, the name being 
found on the record of its population as earlv as 
1827. in which year Luther Howe, father of 
W'eslex' E. Howe, removed to .\llegan comitw 



He was a native of New Hampshire and a 
cabinet maker by trade but following his removal 
to the west he purchased a tract of land and for 
many years engaged in farming. He married 
Alary Eager and l)oth he and his wife have passed 
away. In their family were eleven children but 
onl\- four are \et living, the surviving daughters 
being Airs. Abi.gal Stone, of Alontcalm count\'. 
Alichigan; Airs. W. D. Jacobs, who is living in 
A'anBuren county, this state: and Airs. Elizabeth 
Tuthill. the wife of Rev. Tuthill. of Nashville. 
Alichigan. (Ine son of the family. Worthington 
S. Howe, was a soldier of the Civil war and 
lost his life in the disaster of the steamer .Sultana, 
on the i()th of June, 1863. 

Wesley E. Howe, the only surviving son of 
the family, is a native of ^^'atso^, Allegan countw 
Alichigan, born on the ist of October, 1845, 'i"'' 
pursued his education in the public schools there. 
At the time of the Ci\il war when hut eighteen 
years of age he gave proof of his patriotism and 
lo\alt\- by his enlistment in the L'nion army, be- 
coming a member of Compan\- .\, Third .Michi- 
gan Cavalry at Kalamazoo, on the 31st of De- 
cember, 1863. He was mustered out of service 
Februar\- 12, 1866. at San .Vntonio. Te.xas. after 
over two year's active service in the south. He 
came to Ann Arbor in 1878, and having in the 
meantime learned the milling business he became 
interested in a milling enterprise in this city. He 
afterward established a building and contracting 
business and man\' good structures of the city 
have been erected by him and display his handi- 
work and skill. He is systematic in all that he 
does and his business methods are in harmon_\- 
\vith a high standard of commercial ethics. 

In 1868 Air. Howe was married to Aliss Ellen 
Al. lohnson, a reiire-t^entative of a prominent fam- 
ily of Erie county. New York. Her grand- 
iiKither became a resident of that county in the 
year 1812. Her father, \\illiam 1'. Johnson, was 
a farmer and throughout his entire life devoted 
his attention to agricultural pursuits. In his 
family were ten children, to all of whom the 
grandfather left fine farm pro]:)erty. 

Mr. Howe gives his political allegiance to 
the republican ))arty, is interested in its success 
and welfare and has served as supervisor of the 



452 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tliiril ward. He is a Mason, belonging' to Fra- 
ternity lodge, Xo. 262. .\. 1'. tV- A. M.. alsn xo 
Washtenaw chapter Xo. f). R. .\. M., antl t" 
Ann Arbor coniniandery No. 13, K. T. In these 
organizations he has held office and he is like- 
wise a past commander of the Knights of the 
Maccabees, while his wife is affiliated with the 
Ladies of the Maccabees. They have a beautiful 
residence at No. 922 West Huron street and its 
hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many 
friends. 



CHARLES F. MEYERS. 

It is a noticeable fact that the young men are at 
the head of leading business enterprises through- 
out the country, for their ready adaptability, 
marked energy and laudable ambition have ena- 
bled them to occupy positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility and to carry forward to successful 
completion wdiatever they underlakc. In this 
class belongs Mr. Meyers, who is now conducting 
a fine commercial and job ]iriiUiiig business in 
.\nn Arbor, his native city. He was born here on 
the loth of March. 1869, being one of the three 
children of Simon and Christina ( Schiltz ) 
Meyers. The father is now engaged in merchan- 
dising in Ann Arbor. The younger brother. 
\\ illiam. is engaged in the printing business with 
his brother, while the sister, Emma, died in X^o- 
vember. 1895. 

Having acquired his more specifically literary 
education in the ])nblic schools, Charles F. 
]\Ieyers determined to learn the printer's art. 
and in pursuance of this desire, in October, 1884. 
obtained employment in the liinder\- of the estab- 
lishment then known as the Ann Arbor Register. 
Two years later he entered the comjjosing room 
of the same institution, where he worked himself 
up to the position of foreman. This ])lace he held 
for several years, until he embarked in business 
for himself in 1897. His first location with his 
own printing establishment was at 105 South 
Main street. In 1902 he moved to larger and 
more commodious (|uarters at 215 South Main 
street. Here he is conducting a fine commercial 
and job printing business, which has reached such 



profitable iiroportious as to be one of the leading 
concerns of its kind in the city. In October, 1<P4, 
^Ir. Meyers purchased the business block at 309 
South Main street, and to this more desirable 
location anticipates moving his growing business. 
He is :i member of Ann Arbor Typographical 
L^nioii and \\;is the first among his competitors to 
consent to sign the agreement for an eight-hour 
day. 

.Mr. Meyers was married in 1900 to Miss Clara 
Maulbetsch, of Ann Arbor, and they have an in- 
teresting little son, Edward Horace, now four 
years of age. Mr. Meyers belongs to Fraternity 
lodge. No. 262, F. & .\. M.. and, having filled va- 
rious chairs, is now master of that body. He has 
also taken the degree in the chapter and coni- 
niandery. has "crossed the hot sands" in Moslem 
tem])le of the Mystic .Shrine, of Detroit, and is a 
member of the Eastern Star. He is independent 
in jiolitical matters, holding himself free from 
party alliances. In matters of citizenshi]). how- 
ever, he is interested and has co-operated in many 
measures for the general good and welfare of his 
native county. He concentrates his energies 
largely u]5on his business, which, conducted along 
modern lines and in keeping with progress in his 
art, has niaile him a prosperous representative of 
his chosen field of labor in Ann Arbor. 



DANIEL C. HAAS. 



Daniel C. Haas, representing mercantile in- 
terests of .\nn Arbor as a dealer in groceries and 
provisions, was born in Scio, Washtenaw county. 
His father, Daniel Haas, died before the birth of 
the son. He was a butcher by trade but eventu- 
ally became the owner of a large farm, which he 
operated up to the time of his death. He is still 
survived by his widow, who tore the maiden 
name of Elizabeth Rauser and is now living in 
Ann .Arbor township. In their family were three 
children : Fred G., who is engaged in business 
in .\nn .\rbor; Mrs. Marv Steffy. of Stock- 
bridge : and Daniel C. Following the death of 
her first husband the mother married George 
Haas and the children of that union are : George, 
Herman, Elizabeth, John, Will and Eugene. 




C. F. .MEYERS. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



455 



Daniel C Haas was only two years nld when 
his mother removed from Scio to Ann Arbor, so 
that he was reared in this city and acquired his 
education in its public schools, .\ttcr iiutting' 
aside his text-books he entered upon his business 
career as an employe of the firm of Rinsey & 
Seabolt. grocers of .\nn ArlxDr. whom he repre- 
sented as a .salesman for five years. On the ex- 
piration of that period he became agent for the 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and se- 
cured a good clientage in that line but at a re- 
cent date he purchased the grocery store at No. 
20/ South .Main street, where he is now conduct- 
ing Imsiness as a senior member of the firm of 
Haas & Heibein. There, as dealers in gro- 
ceries and provisions, thev are conducting a good 
business which is constantly growing and has be- 
come an important enterprise of the city. In all 
of his work Mr. Haas has manifested close ap- 
jilication. unremitting diligence and that per- 
sistency of purpose without which success is 
never an assured fact and at all times he has 
been straightforward and reliable in his business 
transactions, so that he maintains an excellent 
reputation in trade circles. 

Mr. Haas was married on the i8th of October, 
U)0~,. to .Anna Pontney, of Pittsfield, Washtenaw 
countv. 



-\DAM G. FAIST. 



Adam (!. Faist, who is engaged in the sale of 
agricultural ini|ilemtnts and vehicles and also 
conducts a wagon and carriage manufactory and 
repair shop in Chelsea, was bom in Sharon town- 
ship in 1868. his parents being David and 
Agatha ( Ohler) Faist. The father was born in 
\\'urtemberg, Germany, in 1819, and in the year 
] 864 crossed the .\tlantic to America, settling in 
Sharon township, \\'ashtenaw county. He was 
a liaker by trade and followed that pursuit in 
Germany. Through his wife he acf|uire<l one 
hundred acres of land in this count\ . which has 
since laeen his home and through a li;>ng period 
he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
Into .Mr. Faist b\' his first marriage there were 
1)1 irn three children. The mother died in Ger- 



many an<I the father afterward married .-\gatha 
( )hler. There are two children of this marriage. 
.\dam and Aggie, the latter the wife of Jacoli 
Klein, of Sharon township. In his political views 
'\\r. Faist is a stalwart democrat, having given 
his support to that party since becoming a natu- 
ralized .American citizen. He belongs to the 
Lutheran church in Freedom township and both 
he and his wife are yet living upon the old home- 
stead farm in \\'ashtenaw county, Mr. Faist iiav- 
ing reached the venerable age of eighty-six years. 
He has lived a life of activity and enterprise and 
is one of the respected and worthy (]iernian citi- 
zens of the county. 

Adam G. Faist acquired his early education in 
the district schools and also attended a German 
school in Freedom township. He afterward en- 
gaged in farming for eleven years, or until 1889, 
subse(|uent to which time he devoted four or 
five years to carpenter work. He then took up 
the millwright's trade, which he followed for a 
year in Chelsea and Jeru.salem and on the ex- 
piration of that period he begTin the manufacture 
of wagons, opening a shop in this village. .\ year 
later he also began dealing in agricultural im- 
plements, which he continued to sell for five 
years, when he closed out that branch of the 
business. He now carries a full line of vehicles 
and also engages in the repair and manufacture 
of wagons and buggies, having a good shop 
thirty-two by eighty-six feet and two stories in 
height, wdiich he built. It is well equipped with 
the latest improved machinery for carrying on 
a successful business enterprise of this character 
and he employs on an average of four people 
throughout the year. He started by doing hand 
work but later added machinerv and now has 
a well eciuipped plant. 

In September, 1897, Air. Faist was united in 
marriage to Aliss Mary Scheible, a daughter of 
Fred Scheible, of Sylvan township. They have 
three children : Milda, Esther and .Arthur. Mr, 
I'aist is independent in his political views. Fra- 
ternally, however, he is connected with Olive 
lodge. No. 156, A. F. & .A. Al., Olive chapter. 
No. 140, R. A. M., and the Order of the Eastern 
Star and he is in full sympathy with the teach- 
ings and tenets of the craft. In his business 



45'> 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



career he has met with a gratifying- measure of 
success owing to liis unremitting diligence and 
capable management and is now a leading repre- 
sentative of industrial interests in Chelsea. 



CLARENCE B. KING. 

Clarence B. King, who without any special 
advantages at the outset of his business career 
has labored persistently and earnestly, so that 
he has made steady advancement in his chosen 
field of endeavor, is now the manager of the 
Washtenaw Home Telephone Company and 
makes his home in Ann Arbor. A native of New 
Castle, Delaware, he is descended from early 
American ancestry. His birth occurred on the 
i8th of February, 1864, and he is a son of Ethan 
B. and Sarah E. ( Morrison j King. The father, 
also a native of Delaware, followed the occupation 
of farming as a life work and died in the year 
1902. He served his country in the Civil war 
with the rank of colonel and by his ballot sup- 
ported the republican party. Religiously he was 
a Presbyterian. The mother is still living at the 
old homestead in Delaware, which is one of the 
oldest settled places of that portion of the 
country, the original deed to the property being 
signed by William Penn. In the family were five 
children: John M., who is engaged in the oil 
business in Chester, Pennsylvania ; Julia C. now 
Mrs. Bancroft, of Wilmington. Delaware : Clar- 
ence B.. of this review; Harry .\., who is an 
electrician in the employ of the Western Electric 
Company of New York ; and George C, who is 
also an electrician with the same company. 

Clarence B. King began his education in the 
public schools of Wilmington, Delaware, and in 
early manhood went to Chicago, where he sought 
employment in the electric works, where he re- 
mained for about a year. On the expiration of 
that period he accepted a position with the 
Electric Street Railway Company at Battle Creek, 
Michigan, but subsequently returned to Chi- 
cago, where he was local manager for the Chi- 
cago Telephone Company. He next entered the 
service of the Western Electric Company in the 



manufacturing department and served for three 
years as road electrician in the telephone central 
office equipment. He was later employed as 
electrician in the independent telephone field, 
after which he accepted the position of assistant 
engineer with the .American Electric Telephone 
Company, and remained with them until he re- 
signed January 10, 1905, to become manager of 
the Washtenaw Home Telephone Company, 
which has plants in Dexter, Ypsilanti and Ann 
.\rbor. Tiiis company does local and long dis- 
tance work throughout Washtenaw county and 
^Ir. King is now its manager. His practical 
training in electrical work, his thorough knowl- 
edge of the business and his marked enterprise 
well qualify him for the position which he is fill- 
ing and which brings to him many responsibili- 
ties. 

In tlic spring of 1893 occurred the marriage 
of .Mr. King and Miss Sallie Harding, of New- 
port, K^cntucky. Mr. King is a believer in the 
doctrines of Dr. Alexander Dowie, of the Chris- 
tian Catholic church, and in politics is independ- 
ent. .\ man of pleasing personality, very genial 
in manner and obliging in disposition, he has 
won many friends and the number is constantly 
increasing as the circle of his acquaintance 
widens. 



WILLIAM A. SEERY. 

^^"illiam A. Seery, who has exercised consider- 
able influence in democratic circles and been 
honored with official preferment, while at the 
present time he is engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness in Ann Arbor, was born in Dexter, Michi- 
gan, on the 14th of October, 1863. His father, 
Michael J. Seery, was a native of Ireland and in 
early life came to America, residing for a time 
in the Empire state. He was married to Miss 
Rosanna Lavey, of Rochester, New York, and 
became a resident of Michigan in 1835, establish- 
ing his home in Dexter. His death occurred in 
this state in November, 1902. In his family 
were two daughters: Mary E.. now the wife of 
Martin J. Cavanaugh, of .\nn .\rbor ; and Rosa, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



457 



now the wife of Dr. Roy jMunn, of Manistique, 
Michis'an. 

William A. Seery, the only son. spent his boy- 
hood and youth in his parents" home and is in- 
debted to the public school system for the edu- 
cational privileg-es he enjoyed. He has been a 
resident of Ann Arbor since 1876 and, actively 
interested in jiolitical questions since attaining' 
his majority, he has labored earnestly and effect- 
ively for the success of the democratic party, of 
which he is a most earnest and zealous cham- 
]3ion. He served as deputy recorder of deeds 
twelve \ears, and in 1904 was the democratic 
candidate for recorder but was defeated though 
he ran some four hundred votes ahead of his 
part}- ticket. He is now engaged in the grocery 
business on East Catherine street. . He carries a 
well selected line of staple and fancy groceries 
and the neat and attractive appearance of the 
store, as well as his honorable methods and 
earnest desire to please his customers, has se- 
cured to him a growing and gratifying business. 

In November, 1893, William A. Seery was 
united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Schill. of 
Saline, and they have become the parents of two 
children. Clarence W.. ten years of age, and 
Merciel, si.x years old, both attending school. 
The family are well known in this citv, where 
they have man\' friends. 



CHARLES HENRY GUTHARD. 

Charles Henry Guthard, conducting a general 
hardware, stove and implement business in 
Saline township, was born on the 6th of May, 
1868. in Saline township, but like many of Wash- 
tenaw county's citizens is of German lineage. His 
father, Henry Guthard. was a native of Kassel, 
Germany, and came to Washtenaw county, in 
1845, after seventy-seven days spent on the voy- 
age between Germany and America. Here he 
became the owner of a farm of eighty acres. He 
found Washtenaw county an almost unbroken 
wilderness with only here and there a settlement 
to tell that the seeds of civilization had been 
planted wliich in due time were to bear rich fruit. 



The farmers in those earl}- days drove ox teams 
to Detroit, where they secured their supplies. In 
connection with the other early settlers Mr. Guth- 
ard aided in transforming the county into a rich 
agricultural district and he continued a valued 
resident here up to the time of his death, which 
occurred September 16, IQ03. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Katherina Bieber, was 
also a native of Kassel, Germany, and her death 
occurred on the 19th of September, 1904. The 
members of the family were as follows : John, 
who is living on the old homestead farm in Saline 
township: Emma, who became the wife of Carl 
r.ickel, of Cleveland, Ohio, and died in May, 
H)05 : Mary, the wife of Herman Weihe, of Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin : Kate, the wife of John 
Heininger, of Saline township ; Clara, the wife 
of Rev. James Rilling, of South Bend. Indiana; 
and Miss Libbie Guthard. 

The other member of the family is Charles 
Henry Guthard of this review, who at the usual 
age entered the district schools of Saline town- 
ship, wherein he continued his studies until thir- 
teen years of age, wdien he began work as a farm 
hand. He was thus employed for a number of 
years and wdien from his earnings he saved suf- 
ficient capital to engage in business on his own 
account he became a partner of Adam Hornung 
in the spring of 1903 in the conduct of a hard- 
ware business in the village of Saline. The part- 
nership was dissolved in April. 1904, at which 
time ^Ir. Guthard admitted Henry A. Schroen 
into partnership. They conduct an extensive 
business as dealers in stoves, g-eneral hardware, 
farm implements, buggies, paints, glass and seeds 
and draw a larg-e trade from the surrounding 
country. Their specialty in stoves is the Round 
Oak. Their business is growing rapidly, yet 
along healthful lines and they are now accorded 
a liberal patronage which brings them a good 
return upon their investment. 

On the 2ist of April, 1892, Mr. Guthard was 
united in marriage to Miss Louise Schroen, a 
sister of Henry A. Schroen and a daughter of 
George Schroen, of Saline. They have two sons, 
Edgar and Raymond, the former a student in the 
Union high school. Fraternally Mr. Guthard is 
connected with Saline lodge of the Maccabees, 



458 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



wliik' in his political affiliation he is a stalwart rt'- 
])ul)lican and in religious faith a German 
Lutheran, His entire life has been passed in the 
village ami township of Saline and his life record 
is well known to his fellow citizens, who regard 
him as a man of genuine worth, thorough re- 
liability and excellent business capacity. 



I.OL'IS V. HALL, n. D. S. 

Louis P. Hall, a representative of the dental 
fraternit\ in Ann Arbor, was born in Toledo, 
Ohio, on the ist of June, i860, his parents being- 
Israel and (Jlivia 1!. ( Ijigelow ) Hall. Removing 
to this cit\ , the father became o'ne of its promi- 
nent and leading residents, wielding a wide in- 
fluence in public affairs and .giving tangible sup- 
port to many measures that have had direct 
benefit upon the welfare and development of Ann 
Arbor. He was particularly interested in the 
school svsteni and his labors were effective in 
furthering the cause of public education. Many 
other lines, however, felt the stimulus of his 
energy, his sound judgment and his effective 
labor and his value and W(.irth as a citizen were 
.so uniformly acknowledged and appreciated that 
his death was the occasion of dee|) and wide- 
spread regret when, in 1890. he was called from 
this life. His widow, still surviving him. yet re- 
sides in .\nn Arbor. In their family were six 
children: .Airs. Alary P>. Dubois, of this city; 
Etigene P., a business man of Ann Arbor; IMrs. 
I\r. L. Walker; Airs. .Sidney E. Eastman: Louis 
P.; and Charles .V. 1'.., of Johnson City, Ten- 
nessee. 

Louis P. Hall was a young 1,-ul when brought 
by his parents to Michigan and at the usual age 
he became a public-school student, continuing his 
studies until he was graduated. On the com- 
pletion of the high-school course he entered the 
literary departruent of the L'niversity of Alichi- 
gan. spending one year there. He then entered 
business life, with which he was associated for 
several years when, in iS8'i. he matriculated in 
the dental department of the ITniversity of 
Michigan, from which he was graduated w'ith the 



class of 1889. Thus having determined upon 
the practice of dentistry as a life work he opened 
an office in Ann .Arbor and has been accorded a 
liberal patronage, for he soon demonstrated his 
ability, having the mechanical skill and the 
scientific knowdedge that make the competent 
dentist. L'pon his graduation from the dental 
department, he was appointed first assistant to 
the ]iro lessor of operative dentistry and has for 
.some years been at the head of that department. 

In 1885 Dr. Hall was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth C. Douglas, a daughter of Judge Samuel T. 
Douglas, of Grosse Isle, Alichigan. They have 
four children: Douglas, Louis P.. Jr., Richard 
X.. and Elizabeth Olivia. 

Dr. Hall is a member of the Washtenaw 
Count}- Dental Association, the Michigan .State 
and the Detroit Dental Associations and an 
honorary member of the Toledo Dental Associ- 
ation. He is likewise a n-iember of the Institute 
of Dental Pedagogics and of the Delta Sigma 
Delta fraternity. Dr. Hall is interested more or 
less in afTairs outside of his profession, having 
been a director in the Omega Portland Cement 
Company at Jonesville since its first year, and 
is also a director and the president of the Ann 
-Vrljor Cattle Con-ipany. of Wyoming. An 
active church member, he is secretary of the 
vestry in the Episcopal church and takes a help- 
ful and effective part in promoting the various 
church activities. For his family he has pro- 
\-i(led a beautiful residence at No. 1530 Hill 
street. 



CHARLES PRAL'N. 



Charles llraun, interested in general agricultu- 
ral pursuits in .\nn .Vrbor township, was born in 
the city of Ann Arbor (in the 29th of May, 1848. 
His parents were John and Amia AFaria (Eber- 
hardt) Braun. both of whom were natives of 
(iermany. but their marriage was celebrated in 
Ann Arbor. Alichigan. The father was born in 
1810 and in 1836 crossed the Atlantic to .\merica 
with a company of young men. In 1837 the 
mother came with a part\- to the new world. Air. 




CHARLES I'.R.VrX. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



461 



Braun was a mason by traile and followed that 
pursuit in Michigan until 1852, when he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land in Scio township west 
of Ann Arbor and began farming. He lived upon 
that place until i860, when he sold out and 
bought one hundred and eighty acres of land on 
section 5, Ann Arbor township, to which he after- 
ward added until his farm comprised two hundred 
and forty acres of land, which he brought to a 
high state of cultivation. He carried on general 
farming and stock raising, meeting with a cred- 
itable measure of success, and his life was charac- 
terized by unremitting diligence and energy. He 
died January 9, 1876, at the age of forty-nine 
years, while his wife survived him for a long 
period, passing away on March 11, 1894. His po- 
litical allegiance was given to the democratic 
party. In the family w-ere eight children : Fred 
B., who was born in 1840 and died in 1902 ; John 
]\I., born August 16. 1843 ' Catherine, who was 
born July 22, 1845. ^"^1 is the wife of J. M. 
Stein ; Charles, of this review ; Christian, who 
was born February 23, 1850, and died December 
16, 1902; Christina, who was born March 23, 
1851, and is the wife of Fred Kern; Henry, who 
was born May 20, 1854; and Simon, who was 
born February 2, 1857, and died August 3, 1887. 
Charles Braun of this review was reared in the 
usual manner of farm lads, early becoming fa- 
miliar with the duties and labors that fall to the 
lot of the agriculturist, and his education was ac- 
quired in the public schools. After all the chil- 
dren w-ere grown he purchased their interests in 
the farm, thus coming into possession of the old 
homestead property, on which he carried on gen- 
eral farming until 1893. He the''^ concentrated 
his energies upon agricultural pursuits and is to- 
day one of the best known fruit raisers of this 
part of the state, having a peach orchard of 
twenty acres, while nine are planted to apples. 
He has also bought and fed stock and in later 
years has bought and sold stock. The farm is a 
well improved property on which are two good 
barns, one fifty-six by thirty-eight feet, the other 
sixty by thirty-eight feet, together with good 
buildings for the shelter of the grain, stock and 
farm machinery. The residence was erected in 
1867. 
27 



Mr. Braun was married in 1887 to Miss Mary 
Andrews, a daughter of John Andrews, of Scio 
township. They have had three children: Sylvia 
Alaria, who was born March 10, 1888; Carl Wil- 
liam, born June 27, 1889; and Simon Walter, 
born June 19, 1891. All are now attending 
school. Mr. Braun is recognized as one of the 
stalwart advocates of democracy in Washtenaw 
county and is active in the work of the party. He 
has served for three years, from 1892 until 1895, 
as supervisor and again filled the office from 1898 
until 1902. In the fall of the latter year he was 
elected county treasurer for a term of two years 
and in 1904 was defeated for that ofiice in the 
great republican landslide. In positions of public 
trust he is ever faithful, his course being marked 
by an unfaltering patriotism and devotion to the 
general good. He holds membership in the Zion 
Lutheran church of Ann Arbor and has a wide 
and favorable acquaintance in the city and 
throughout this part of the state by reason of his 
energy and success in business life and his activity 
in political circles. Since 1892 he has been secre- 
tary of the German Farmers' i\Iutual Insurance 
Company. 



WILLIAM SCHULTZ. 

William .Schultz. successfully conducting a 
grocery business in Ann Arbor, has spent his en- 
tire life in Washtenaw- county, his birth having 
occurred in Dexter on the ist of March, 1877. 
His father, Henry Schultz, was a native of Meck- 
lenburg, Germany, and spent his youth in his na- 
tive land, coming to the new- world in i860. In 
October of that year he arrived in Washtenaw 
county, where he became identified with agricul- 
tural pursuits. He settled first at Dearborn but in 
1875 removed to Dexter, where he made his home 
upon a farm until 1902, and then removed to 
Chelsea, where his life's labors were ended in 
death on the 24th of July, 1904. He had married 
Miss Mary Jessen, of Holstein, Germany, and 
their wedding trip was the voyage to the new 
world. They became recognized as worthy farm- 
ing people of this locality, enjoying in high meas- 
ures the respect and good will of all with whom 



462 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



they were associated. They were separated by 
death for only a brief period, for Mrs. Schultz 
passed away in October, 1904, less than three 
months after her husband's death. In their family 
were thirteen children, eight of whom are yet liv- 
ing: John W., a resident farmer of Webster; Ja- 
cob E. ; Mrs. Mary Johnson, of Dexter ; Fred F., 
who follows farming; Samuel, who is living on 
the old homestead ; William, of this review ; Da- 
vid, who follows farming in Webster township ; 
and Mrs. Finkbeiner, of Lima township. 

William Schultz was reared upon the old home- 
stead farm and early became familiar with all the 
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- 
culturist as he tills his fields and cares for his 
stock. In his youth he attended the district 
schools of Dexter and later continued his studies 
at Chelsea and the Ypsilanti Normal, subsequent 
to which time he became engaged in grocery 
business in connection with his brother, Jacob E. 
Since June, 1903, he has been a resident of Ann 
Arbor, at which time he embarked in the grocery 
business at No. 314 South State street, under the 
firm style of Schultz Brothers and they now have 
a large trade, employing three wagons in the de- 
livery of their goods. Their patronage has stead- 
ily increased from the beginning and their busi- 
ness has now reached very profitable proportions. 

Mr. Schultz is a republican in his political 
views but without aspiration for office, preferring 
to concentrate his energies upon his business af- 
fairs, in which he is meeting with very creditable 
and gratifying success. His religious faith is that 
of the Methodist church. In April, 1903, he was 
married to Miss Elma Weimeister, of Howell, 
Michigan. ;• -^ they have gained many warm 
friends ('jriir.', iheir residence in the county seat. 



CHRISTIAN REIFF. 

Christian ReiflE is the owner of raluable farm- 
ing property in Ann Arbor township and is one 
of the respected and worthy citizens of Wash- 
tenaw county. Like a large majority of the lead- 
ing men of this part of the state, he is of Ger- 
man birth, the place of his nativity being Wur- 



temberg and the year of his birth 1856. His 
parents were Michael and Lizzie (Horning) 
Reilif, also natives of Germany, where the father 
is still living. He is a farmer by occupation, his 
entire life being devoted to the tilling of the soil. 
In his family were nine children, three of whom 
crossed the Atlantic to the new world, a brother 
and sister of our subject being residents of the 
state of Washington. The brother has been very 
successful in connection with the salmon fisheries 
for fifteen years, conducting a profitable business 
in the line of that industry. 

In 1S73 Christian Reifif, then a youth of six- 
teen years, came to America, making his way at 
once to Washtenaw county, where he was em- 
ployed as a farm hand for fifteen or sixteen years. 
With the capital he acquired through his own 
earnings he then bought fifty-four acres of land 
on section 30. Ann Arbor township, from Fred 
Schmidt and in 1895 he bought the ten-acre tract 
of land upon which he now resides. The entire 
farm of sixty-four acres has been cleared. The.re 
was only six acres cleared when he took posses- 
sion of the farm and he performed much arduous 
labor in bringing the place under its present high 
state of cultivation. He raises the cereals best 
adapted to soil and climate and in addition he 
has a fine orchard of fourteen acres planted to 
pear, peach, apple, plum and quince trees. He 
also keeps five cows and finds a ready sale on the 
market for the butter which he produces because 
of its excellent quality. 

In the year 1887 Mr. Reifif was married to 
Miss Mary Hiemendenger, a daughter of 
Michael Hiemendenger, of Ann Arbor township. 
They have five children : Robert, Oscar, Edwin, 
Arthur and Alma, all at home, Robert being 
now employed in Ann Arbor. 

On coming to America Mr. Reifif took out his 
naturalization papers and in 1878 became a citi- 
zen of this country. Since that time he has exer- 
cised his right of franchise in support of the men 
and measures of the democracy and his fellow 
townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, 
have frequently called him to office. He served 
as path master for ten or twelve years and in 
1905 was chosen township treasurer for one term. 
No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



463 



in the slightest degree and on the contrary he is 
most loyal to every responsibility and obligation 
that devolves upon him. He holds membership 
in the Trinity Lutheran church at Ann Arbor 
and his life is in harmony with his professions. 
Through many years he has resided continuously 
upon his farm, which is now a well improved 
property. He has built there a good barn thirty 
by forty-four feet and he has two houses upon 
his farm, one of which he rents. This property 
is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and 
enterprise and shows what may be accomplished 
by determination and purposeful action when 
guided by sound judginnent. 



C. LUDWIG SCHNEIDER. 

.\nn Arbor is greatly indebted to the fatherland 
for a large portion of its representative citizens, 
men of marked activity and enterprise in business 
who by a ready adaptability to the altered condi- 
tions of the new world have so directed their 
efforts here as to win personal success and also 
contribute to the general prosperity of the local- 
ities with which they are identified. To this class 
belongs Mr. Schneider, whose birth occurred in 
Echterdingen, Stuttgart, Germany, on the 4th of 
September, 1867. His father, John George 
Schneider, was a promient contractor of that 
place, making his home there up to the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1878. His widow, 
Mrs. Frederica Schneider, is now living in Ann 
.A.rbor. In their family were seven children : Fred, 
who is now residing in Galveston, Texas ; Gott- 
lieb, Victor and Charles, who are all employed in 
.A.nn Arbor; C. Ludwig, of this review; Clara 
Schneider, who is living with her mother in this 
city ; and Mrs. Fredericke Schmid. 

C. Ludwig Schneider pursued his education in 
the schools of his native country but in his vouth 
accompanied his mother on their removal to the 
United States and learned the trade of a tinner in 
the employ and under the direction of John Ffis- 
terer, of this city. He has since continued in the 
same line and now conducts a large heating, tin- 
smith and plumbing business at No. 207 South 



Fifth avenue, where he employs a large force of 
workmen and also utilizes several wagons in con- 
nection with the business. He established this 
enterprise in 1896 and from the beginning has 
met with gratifying success, the number of his 
patrons increasing year by year, his fellow towns- 
men appreciating his capable workmanship and 
fidelity to every business trust. His own practical 
understanding of the trade enables him to care- 
full\- direct the labors of those whom he employs 
and he is always just and considerate in his treat- 
ment of those who are in his service as well as 
honorable in his relations to those who award him 
contracts in his chosen line. 

In 1890 Mr. Schneider was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary Covert and they have become the 
parents of five children ; Isetta. Irene, Estella, 
Ludwig and Theodore. The family home is an 
attractive residence at No. 548 South First street 
built in pleasing style of architecture and it is a 
favorite resort with the many friends of the fam- 
ily. ^Ir. Schneider exercises his right of fran- 
chise in support of the men and measures of the 
republican party, with which he has been identi- 
fied since becoming a naturalized American citi- 
zen. He belongs to Ann Arbor lodge of Odd 
Fellows, to the Knights of the IMaccabees and the 
Loyal Guards and is a valued representative of 
these different organizations because he is loyal 
to their principles and teachings. The family are 
all communicants of St. Thomas' Catholic church. 



FRED THOMAS STIMPSON. 

Fred Thomas Stimpson, conducting" the Uni- 
versity Billiard Hall at Ann Arbor, is a native 
of the middle west and has spent his entire life in 
diis section of the country. He was born in 
Aurora, Illinois, February 20, 1863, his parents 
being George and Sarah (Weightman) Stimp- 
son. The father was a farmer by occupation and 
(lied thirty-three years ago but his wife survived 
him for thirty years. In their family were four- 
teen children, of whom the following are yet liv- 
ing; Mrs. Rebecca Porter, who resides in De- 
troit; George, who makes his home in Elgin, 



464 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Illinois; Mrs. Lizzie Houghtby, of Shabbona, 
Illinois ; and Fred T., of this review. 

Fred T. Stimpson pursued his education in 
the public schools of his native city and in early 
life lived for a time upon die homestead farm 
near Aurora, Illinois. At a later period in his 
business career, however, he became proprietor 
of a grocery store at Elgin, Illinois, which he 
conducted until 1893, when he sold out and en- 
tered the employ of Morgan & Wright, of Chi- 
cago. He came to Ann Arbor in August, 1904, 
and established the University Billiard Hall at 
No. 334 South State street. He has since con- 
ducted it and has made it a popular pleasure re- 
sort of the city, carrying on the business with 
profit to himself and to the satisfaction of his 
many patrons, who are constantly increasing in 
numbers. 

In 1887 Mr. Stimpson was married to Miss 
Anna Hurst, of Shabbona, Illinois, and they now 
have an interesting family of three sons : Elroy 
B., Thomas W. and Frederick E., aged respect- 
ively sixteen, thirteen and eight years and all 
students in the public schools of Ann Arbor. 
Mr. Stimpson is a stanch advocate of republican 
principles, supporting the party since attaining 
his majority, yet without aspiration for ofifice. He 
belongs to the Methodist church and is a gentle- 
man of genial, kindly nature, of obliging dispo- 
sition and affable manner, who has won close 
friends and lias already become popular in Ann 
Arbor during the period of his residence here. 



HUDSON T. MORTON. 

Hudson T. Morton, a real estate dealer and 
speculative builder of Ann Arbor, has in his busi- 
ness operations contributed in substantial meas- 
ure to the benefit and upbuilding of the city. He 
was born in Pittsfield township, February 21, 
1845, his parents being James T. and Emily 
(Clemmons) Morton. The father, a native of 
Mexico, New York, came from the Empire state 
to Michigan, in 1826, settling first near Lansing, 
in Williamston township, Ingham county, where 
he secured a tract of government land, which he 



cultivated and improved, developing a good farm 
in the midst of the forest. Later he followed the 
millwright's trade and built many saw and grist 
mills throughout that part of the state. In 1830 
he again entered a claim and thereby became the 
owner of eighty acres of land in Pittsfield town- 
ship, Washtenaw county. This was on section 
21, and is the farm which is now owned by Hud- 
son 1. Morton. The father engaged in its de- 
velopment and cultivation until the spring of 
1865. when he removed to Macon, IMichigan, but 
later he returned to Pittsfield township, where his 
last days were spent. He was one of the honored 
pioneer settlers of the state, casting in his lot with 
the residents of Michigan when this was a fron- 
tier district. He served as a captain in the state 
militia for about thirteen years, being thus con- 
nected with the military service while in Pitts- 
field township. He had also had military ex- 
perience in New York and became ver\- efficient 
as a drill master and was commissioned captain 
of this company. H^e died in 1874, and had he 
lived but twenty-nine days longer would have 
attained the seventieth anniversary of his birth. 
His wife survived him until 1888, passing awav 
in Ann Arbor at the age of eighty-eight years. 

Hudson T. Morton, their only child, acquired 
his early education in the district schools of Pitts- 
field township, and later at the Union school and 
in the normal school at Ypsilanti, Michigan. Soon 
after ]nitting aside his text books he began buy- 
ing and selling land, and eventually became in- 
terested with others in western lands, especially 
in Nebraska farms. Pie also bought property in 
Ann Arbor and has transformed unsightly tracts 
into fine residence property by the erection of 
modern buildings. Many prominent buildings at- 
test his ability as a builder, and he now owns be- 
tween twelve and fifteen dwellings here. Pie has 
never ceased to operate in western lands, and has 
also instituted many financial industries of the 
west where he has had business investments. He 
has, however, made his home in Ann .A.rbor con- 
tinuously since 1876. 

In 1898 Mr. Morton was married to Miss 
Anna C. Fredlnnd, a native of Marquette county, 
^Michigan, and they have two sons and two 
daughters, Edith A,, Anna May, Hudson T, and 




HUDSON T. ^lORTOX. 



. PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



467 



Daniel James T., all born in Ann Arbor. Mr. 
Morton is a tbirty-second degree Mason, being 
a member of Golden Rule lodge, No. 159, A. F. 
& A. M. ; Washtenaw chapter, No. 6. R. A. M. : 
Union council, No. 11, R. & S. M. ; Ann Arbor 
commandery. No. 13, K. T. ; Michigan Sove- 
reign consistory, S. P. R. S.. of Detroit ; and 
Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Detroit. 
Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern 
Star lodge, and he also belongs to the Elks lodge, 
No. 325, of Ann Arbor, the Knights of the Mac 
cabees, while Mrs. Morton is a member of the 
Ladies of the Maccabees. 

Mr. Morton is a republican in his political alle- 
giance, but the honors and emoluments of of- 
fice have had no attraction for him. He has con- 
centrated his efforts upon his real estate and 
building operations, and through his purchase 
and sale of western lands, and as a speculative 
builder, he has gained the success that makes him 
one of the most substantial residents of this city 
Much of the property which he has purchased has 
Steadily advanced in value because unsightly va- 
cancies have been occupied by attractive resi- 
dences of his erection. In all his business inter- 
ests he is enterprising, sagacious and persevering 
and his ])rosperity is therefore well merited. 



ERHARD THEODORE ALBER. 

Erhard Theodore .\lber, the senior partner of 
the firm of Alber & Horning, proprietors of the 
St. James Hotel, is a native son of ^\'ashtenaw 
county and in his business career has displayed 
the enterprise which has been the dominant factor 
in the upbuilding of the great middle west. He 
was born in Lodi township on the 23tli of August, 
1866. His father, John George .\lber, became a 
resident of this county when eighteen years of 
age and settled upon a farm in Eodi township, 
where for many years he was identified with gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits. At the time of his ar- 
rival this was largely an unsettled district in 
which the work of improvement and progress had 
scarcely been begun and he entered from the gov- 
ernment a claim of eighty acres, to which he has 



since added as his financial resources have in- 
creased until he is now the owner of a valuable 
farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres, which 
under his careful supervision and cultivation has 
become very productive. In religious faith a Lu- 
theran, he is an active worker in the church, doing 
all in his power to promote its growth and extend 
its influence. In his political allegiance he is a 
democrat. He married Miss Marguerita Metz- 
ger, who died in 1899, leaving seven children, as 
follows : Charles Michael, a resident farmer of 
Saline, Michigan; John George, who also makes 
his home at Saline ; John August, a contractor 
residing in Ann Arbor; Fred Erhard, who is 
living in Perry, Lodi township ; William Henry, 
who is engaged in general farming near Saline ; 
and Emanuel Gottlol), whn is engaged in paint- 
ing at Saline. 

Erhard T. Alber, the other member of the fam- 
ily, was reared upon the old homestead farm in 
the usual manner of lads of the period and when 
about six years of age he began his education in 
the district schools of his native township. Pie 
pursued his studies through the winter months 
and in the summer seasons worked upon the home 
farm until about twenty years of age, when think- 
ing that he would find other occupation more con- 
genial he left the parental roof and began learn- 
ing the carpenter's trade. Subsequently he spent 
five years in the employ of the Ann Arbor Rail- 
road Company, working in the line of his trade 
and on the expiration of that period he began 
contracting and building on his own account, in 
which he continued for five years. In 1 891 he 
took u]) his al)()de in Ann Arlior and he is now 
engaged in the hotel business as a partner of 
Nathan Horning, under the firm style of Alber & 
Horning, proprietors of the St. James Hotel. 
They conduct a strictly modern hostelry of twen- 
tv-five rooms heated with steam and there is a 
barber shop and buffet in connection. Mr. Alber 
is popular with the patrons of the hotel and re- 
ceives a liberal patronage from the traveling pub- 
lic. Everything possible is done for the comfort 
and convenience of the guests and the hotel is 
conducted along the most modern lines, so that it 
would be a credit to a city of nmch larger size 
than Ami Arbor. 



468 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



In the year of his removal here Mr. Alber was 
married to Miss Emma K. Horning, who was 
born in Pittsfield township. A Mason, he be- 
longs to Fraternit)- lodge, No. 262, A. F. & A. 
M. and is in hearty s_vmpathv with the principles 
of the craft. His political allegiance is given to 
the republican party and he is a member of the 
Zion Lutheran church. His entire life has been 
passed in the county of his nativity an<l his dee]? 
interest in its welfare is manifest in the public- 
spirited support which he gives to various meas- 
ures for the general good. He is recognized as a 
man of good business qualifications, of keen fore- 
sight and unfaltering enterprise and his success is 
tiie merited reward of his persistent labor. 



FIARRY HOWARD A\'ERY. D. D. S. 

Dr. Harry Floward Avery, who has secured a 
very desirable patronage in the practice of den- 
tistry in Chelsea, was born in Marion, Livingston 
county, Michigan, February 4. 1867, and is a son 
of Henry and Harriet (Sprague) Avery. The 
Avery family is of English lineage and was es- 
tablished in Connecticut at an early period in the 
colonization of the new world, probably about 
1635. The representatives of the name have long 
figured prominently in political circles and a large 
number were soldiers of the Revolutionary war, 
eight being killed in the storming of one fort, 
while nine were killed at the burning of New 
London, Connecticut. The father removed from 
Seneca Lake, New York, to Michigan, when a 
youth of eight years. This was in 1839. at which 
time his father, P)enjamin Perkins Avery, brought 
the family to the west, settling at Dansville, Mich- 
igan. He was a farmer and stock raiser and for 
many years carried on general agricultural pur- 
suits in Livingston county but in igo2 sold his 
farm property and took up his abode in Hull. He 
also possessed considerable ability as a carpenter 
and in addition to farming carried on contracting 
and building. His life has been characterized by 
unflagging industry and enterprise and displays 
many sterling characteristics worthy of emula- 
tion. In his familv were the followiu"' children : 



E. L., who has been engaged in the practice of 
dentistry at Howell for fifteen or si.xteen years 
and was formerly connected with the German- 
American Coffee Company ; Harry Howard, of 
this review; C. B.. who is one of the professors 
in the Chicago University, being a teacher of 
manual training there : and Millicent, the wife of 
Frank Bailey, a capitalist living at Santa Clara, 
California. 

Dr. .\very, whose name introduces this record, 
attended school in Marion and after putting aside 
his text-books engaged in teaching for four years. 
(^n the expiration of that period he entered the 
Michigan University in 1889, becoming a student 
in the dental department, from which he was 
graduated in 1892, his degree at that time being 
conferred upon him. He then came to Chelsea, 
where he has since been in practice. In addition 
to his practice Dr. Avery is agent for the German- 
.\merican Cofl:'ee Company, which employs some 
three thousand people on their plantation, most of 
whom are Tumbella Indians. He is also inter- 
ested in the Tabasco Chiapas Transportation & 
Trading Company. There are forty-three thou- 
sand acres in the plantation, fifteen hundred acres 
being devoted to the raising of coffee, which pro- 
duces about one million pounds to the acre. There 
are four hundred and sixty-three thousand one 
hundred and eighty-six bearing trees and one 
hundred and forty thousand trees which will bear 
in three years. The company was organized in 
January, 1900, and its business has become a pay- 
ing investment. They also own six hundred thou- 
sand rubber trees. The headquarters of the com- 
pany are in New York and the plantation lies in 
Chiapas about one hundred and eighty miles from 
the coast. The company is formed upiJii the co- 
operative plan and does a wholesale business and 
also sells direct to the consumer. The coffee 
plantation was established about fourteen years 
ago by a German officer. 

Dr. .\very was married to Miss Ida Whitaker, 
a daughter of Louis Whitaker, of Howell, in Oc- 
tober, 1890, and unto them has been born one son, 
Arthur Henry, who is now a student in the pub- 
lic schools. Dr. .\very belongs to Olive lodge. 
No. 156, A. F. & A. M., Chelsea chapter. No. 140, 
R. .\. M.. to the Knio-hts of Pvthias fraternitv. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



469 



tlie Maccabees tent and the Foresters. In politics 
he is a repuljlican and has served as councihnan of 
Chelsea. 



GEORGE CORSELIUS. 

George Corselius, to whom an honorable name 
was more than great riches and whose life was 
crowned with the respect and confidence of has 
fellowmen, was numbered among the early jour- 
nalists of Michigan. His birth occurred on a 
farm in Susse.x county, New Jersey, January 17, 
1806, near the banks of the Delaware river. In 
the paternal line the ancestry of the family can 
be traced back to the old French barons, and his 
mother was of Prussian lineage, being descended 
from some of the military heroes who won laurels 
in the Thirty Years war. 

George Corselius acquired his education in the 
schools of his native county but when still c|uite 
young he left Xew Jersey and traveled through 
Pennsylvania and other states, working for the 
farmers in order to secure an education. He 
arrived in ^Michigan in early pioneer times and 
entering the field of journalism was at one time 
editor of the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune. In 
1829 he came to Ann Arbor to edit the Western 
Emigrant at the request of Judge Dexter, who 
owned the paper. This was the time of the agi- 
tation over Morgan and the paper supported the 
principles of the Anti-Mason party. \Mien it had 
fulfilled its mission it ceased and was succeeded 
by the Washtenaw Whig, of which Mr. Corselius 
was the founder, beginning its publication in 
1833. He was likewise corresponding editor 
editor of the Xew York Journal of Commerce and 
the State Journal of Ann Arbor and in addition to 
his writings for the papers he was the author of 
several articles of value which were published in 
the magazines of the day treating subjects on 
moral and intellectual science. He was also the 
author of a pamphlet entitled "Hints Toward the 
Development of a Unitary Science or Science of 
a Universal Analog}-." At one time Mr. Cor- 
selius was elected and served for a term as regis- 
ter of deeds, being chosen as the candidate of the 



whig party, to the principles of which he was 
loyally devoted. 

Mr. Corselius was married in 1835 to demen- 
tia Cardell. who was born in Bennington. \'er- 
mont, and who after living in Philadelphia and 
New York city came west to Aim Arbor to join 
her brother, who was a practicing physician here. 
She was descended from the Norman kings. ^Iv. 
and Mrs. Corselius became the parents of four 
children : Cornelia E., who for many years was a 
teacher in the schools of Ann Arbor and now 
lives in a pleasant home at 414 Lawrence street ; 
William S., who is living retired at Strawberry 
Lake. Michigan; Alfred, who was killed in the 
battle of Gettysburg; and Edward, whe entered 
the Civil war at the age of sixteen years and is 
now living a retired life at Claremont, Mrginia. 
He has four interesting children : Grace, twenty- 
two vears of age, now spending a vear with rela- 
tives at Niagara Falls, New York : James, twen- 
ty-one years of age, preparing for a journalistic 
career; Helen, twenty years of age. who is a tele- 
graph operator at Spring Grove, Mrginia : and 
Clara C, sixteen years of age, who is displaying 
considerable talent as a musician. The family 
are Episcopalians. 

The father continued his journalistic work until 
1849. Hoping that he might better his health and 
financial condition and provide a good home for 
his family he started for California, but he was 
taken ill at Panama and possibly homesick and 
heartsick by reason of his separation from his 
family, to whom he was tenderly attached, he 
started on the return voyage but died on the 
ocean passage between Panama and New York 
and his remains were lowered into the depths of 
the sea. One who knew him well and intimately 
wrote of him, "In days when partisan literature 
carried a keen edge Mr. Corselius knew how to 
wield it but if he ever wounded any person he 
was himself the greater suflferer. He was a man 
of most gentle and benevolent disposition. He 
was of a somewhat ungainly figure but of a spir- 
itual symmetry that is attained by but few. He 
could feel an injury most keenly but was incapable 
of resentment or malice. He lived so scrupu- 
lously by the golden rule that he had no gold in 
his purse."' The New York Journal of Commerce, 



47° 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



commenting on his demise, said, "Tiie deceased 
was for some time editor of this paper, in which 
capacity he acquitted himself with great ability 
and to the entire satisfaction of its patrons. He 
afterward occupied a similar relation in the State 
Journal, a Whig paper, published at Ann Arbor. 
and was ever an active and true hearted advocate 
of the great conservative principles of the whig 
creed. He is also author of several able and well 
written articles, published in the magazines of the 
day, on moral and intellectual science. As a 
thinker he was calm and original, patient, acute 
and thorough in his investigations and of a de- 
cidedly philosophical turn. As a writer he was 
dignified, vigorous and correct, indulging at times 
his love of the abstract, but ever aiming to inspire 
his readers with that spirit of benevolence and 
philanthropy with which he was animated. .\ 
child of genius he was unqualified to struggle 
with the rigors of a world and in his calm contem- 
plation of ideal perfection, individual and social. 
he seemed forgetful of want and of need of 
"laying np for himself treasures of earth." He 
has died an honest man, and poor, leaving a 
family. His wife survived him until July 9, 1887. 
and passed away at the age of seventy-seven 
years. 



HENRY G. PIPP. 



Henry G. Pipp. a well known contractor of 
Ann Arbor, the extent and importance of whose 
business interests rank him with the leading rep- 
resentatives of the industrial art here, was born 
in Frankfort, Germany, February 7. 1866. His 
father, William Pipp, was also a contractor and 
builder, and he died in the year 1891. Further 
mention of him is made in connection with the 
sketch of Herman W. Pipp on another page of 
this work. He married Elizabeth Schmid, who 
still surviving, makes her home in Brighton, 
Michigan, and of their family of eight children. 
six are yet living, as follows : William, who is 
superintendent of a factory in Howell, Michi- 
gan ; Mrs. Matilda Case, who is living in Brigh- 
ton ; Minnie, who makes her home in Howell : 



Fred, who follows carpentering in Brighton ; 
Herman W., of Ann Arbor ; and Henry G. 

Although born across the water, Henry G. 
Pipp was reared in Michigan, his youthful days 
being spent in Brighton, where he was a public- 
school student. He afterward learned the car- 
penter's trade under the direction of his father 
and others by whom he was employed, and sub- 
sequently he went to Howell, Michigan, where 
he entered upon an independent business venture, 
being connected with building operations at that 
place for seven years. In 1892 he arrived in Ann 
,\rbor and opened an office at No. 423 Fuller 
street, where he resides. He has become well 
known as a contrac.or and builder, the evidences 
( if his handiwork being seen in many good struc- 
tures of the city, which add to its attractive ap- 
pearance and substantial improvement. He has 
erected a number of fine private residences here, 
including the elegant home of Dr. Warthin and 
the beautiful residence occupied by Father Kelly 
of St. Thomas church, and also public buildings; 
and he has the reputation of being a man of his 
word, who holds fully to high business principles. 

Mr. Pipp was married in 1888 to Miss Susan 
Russell, of Howell. ]\Iichigan. and their two chil- 
dren, Russell and Helen Catharine, aged eight 
and six years respectively, are now attending the 
parochial schools. 

Mr. Pipp belongs to the Knights of the Macca- 
bees and the Knights of Columbus, and of the 
Catholic church is a communicant, while in the 
exercise of his right of franchise he supports men 
and measures of the republican party. He is a 
very energetic man, and his labors have brought 
him prosperity. 



MISS FRANCES E. CASPARI. 

Miss Frances E Caspari, whose reputation in 
musical circles is so wide that she needs no special 
introduction to the readers of this volume, having 
beconie well known in oratorio and concert work, 
was born in Ann Arbor, November 4, 1879, her 
parents being William and Catherine (Meuth) 
Caspari. The parents, natives of Germany, emi- 




HENRY G. PI PP. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



473 



grated to the new world in 1865, settling in New 
York city, where they lived for several years, re- 
moving to Ann Arbor, where they have resided 
for the last thirty years. There were six children 
in the family of whom four are living : Catherine. 
William, Cecelia and Frances E. 

Miss Frances E. Caspari began her education 
in St. Thomas' Catholic school of this city, after- 
ward attending St. Mary's Academy at Monroe. 
Her attention was early directed to a musical edu- 
cation in the development of her natural talents, 
she having been a pupil of St. Thomas' Conserva- 
tory of ]\Iusic, under Sister Boromeo, of John 
Dennis Mehan, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and 
later of the University School of Music of this 
city under William Howland, from which school 
she graduated in June, 1905, with high honors. 
She is now teacher of voice culture in Ann Arbor, 
a fine soprano singer, who has become well known 
in oratorio and concert work, having been one of 
the soloists at the annual May Festival here, for 
the past three years. She possesses a soprano 
voice of wonderful power and quality and of dra- 
matic skill as well and is one of the most promi- 
nent leaders of musical interests in this city. She 
has been soloist in St. Thomas' church of this city 
for a number of years and in the Cathedral of 
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She belongs to the 
Catholic church and to the Sigma .\lpha Iota 
sorority and with her mother resides at 424 North 
State street. 



FRED W. SCHOEN. 

Among the native sons of Michigan who are 
now successfully engaged in business in this state 
is numbered Fred W. Schoen, who is successfully 
engaged in the hardware and general merchandise 
business in the village of Bridgewater. He was 
born in Detroit in 1868. His father, Anton 
Schoen. was a native of Prussia and in 1852 
crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He 
was a merchant tailor and in his native country 
was employed in that capacity in the Prussian 
army. Industry was one of his strong character- 
istics and brought to him a gratifying measure of 
success. For a time he followed his trade in De- 



troit but in 1871 he bought a farm of eighty 
acres in Freedom township, Washtenaw county, 
and there devoted his energies to the tilling of the 
soil and the care of his crops up to the time of his 
demise. He was a stanch republican and the 
family held membership in the Evangelical Lu- 
theran church. In early manhood he wedded 
Christina Beutler, a native of Germany, their wed- 
ding being celebrated in Detroit in 1854. Mr. 
Schoen passed away upon the old family home- 
stead in this county in March, 1901, in his eighty- 
first year and is still survived by his wife, who is 
living in Bridgewater. They had twelve children 
and reared them all, namely: Frank, who is now 
deceased ; Charles, living in Dexter township, 
^^'ashtenavv county ; Paul, a resident of Roseville. 
i\Iichigan ; Fred W. ; Henry, deceased ; Albert A., 
a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran church at 
Chelsea, Michigan ; Jacob, who is living in 
Bridgewater township ; Rosie, deceased : Carrie, 
the wife of Charles Rentschler, a farmer of Pitts- 
field, IMichigan ; Mary, the wife of George Rei- 
mold. living on the homestead farm in Freedom 
township ; Christina, the wife of John Stabler, of 
Freedom ; and Pauline, who is acting as house- 
keeper for her brother Albert in Chelsea. 

No event of special importance occurred to 
vary the routine of farm life for Fred W. Schoen 
in his youth. He was reared upon the old family 
homestead and attended the district schools of 
Freedom township and high school of Manches- 
ter. He afterward taught for one term in a Ger- 
man school and for two terms in an English 
school, after which he became connected with 
commercial pursuits as a clerk in the general store 
of John Kensler at Manchester, with whom he re- 
mained for eight months. In 1891 he bought out 
the stock of general merchandise at Bridgewater 
and added a line of hardware, carrying a large 
stock of goods for a village of this size. He is 
ver}" successful and is the only merchant in the 
township. A liberal patronage is accorded him in 
recognition of his straightforward dealing, rea- 
sonable prices and earnest desire to please his 
customers. 

Mr. Schoen was married, in 1893, to Miss Mary 
Elizabeth Tag, who was born in the village of 
Saline, Michigan, in 1872, a daughter of Fred- 



474 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



erick and Margaret (Schlagel) Tag. The father 
was a native of Germany and about 1869 came to 
the United States, locating in SaHne township, 
this county. He is a shoemaker by trade. In his 
family were seven children : Mrs. Elizabeth 
Schoen ; George, who is engaged in the shoe busi- 
ness in Clinton with his father; Amelia, the wife 
of Charles Anglemyer, of Bridgewater township ; 
Frederick, a bookkeeper at McConnel's dry-goods 
store, of Adrian, Michigan; Louise, the wife of 
Frank Leeson, of Manchester township ; Katie, a 
graduate of Brown's Business College ; and Wil- 
liam, deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Schoen have two children : Viola 
L., who was born in 1894; and Norman A., in 
1900. The parents are members of the German 
Evangelical Lutheran church and Mr. Schoen 
holds membership with the Benefit Association. 
He exercises his right of franchise in support of 
the men and measures of the republican party, 
was appointed postmaster of the village of Bridge- 
water in 1897 and is a notary public. He is also 
a trustee and secretary of the Freedom Evangel- 
ical Lutheran church and gives active co-opera- 
tion to various movements for the material, social. 
political and moral progress of the community in 
which he makes his home. 



JOHN T. EDWARDS. 

John J. Edwards, engaged in the publishing of 
lectures and law books in .Ann Arbor, with a large 
business that is indicative of his enterprise, care- 
ful management and modern methods, was born 
in Huron county, ]\Iichigan. July 17. 1859. His 
father, Thomas Edwards, was a native of Swan- 
sea, Wales, and became a sea captain. In their 
family were six children, three of whom are liv- 
ing: John J., of this review; Thomas, who is 
living in Washington, D. C. : and Daniel A., also 
a resident of that city, and associated with his 
brother as proprietor of the Columbian Corre- 
spondence College of that city. 

John J. Edwards spent his school life in St. 
Clair county, 'Michigan, and for a number of years 
he resided in Wexford countv, this state, devoting 



his attention to the lumber business. He came 
to Ann Arbor in 1898, and here he established the 
lecture business, publishing lectures in all de- 
partments of the University of Michigan. He is 
located at No. 320 South State street. 

When twenty-two years of age, Mr. Edwards 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Ward, 
of Port Huron, Michigan, and they became the 
parents of three children: T. J., who at the age 
of twenty-three years is in business with his fa- 
ther; William J., twelve years of age, who has 
already displayed marked talent in musical lines 
and is a student in the Ann Arbor schools ; and 
Ward Daniel, eleven years of age, also attending 
school. 

Mr. Edwards is independent in his political 
views and affiliations, voting for the best man or 
the best ticket without regard to political parties. 



WILLIAM J. CLANCY. 

William J. Clancy, conducting a large contract- 
ing business in .Aim .Arbor and elsewhere, to 
whicli he has devoted his energies for twelve 
years, is a native son of this city, his birth having 
here occurred in May, 1866. His father, William 
Clancy, was a native of Ireland and in his boy- 
liood days came to the LTnited States. In early 
life he learned the mason's trade, which he fol- 
lowed throughout his active business career and 
for fifty years he was a resident of .Ann .Arbor, 
where his death occurred in 1892. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Mary Nelligen, has also 
passed away. Their surviving daughter is ]\Irs. 
Katherine Powell, who is living in Howell, 
Alichigan. 

William J. Clancy, the only son of the family, 
was educated in the public and parochial schools 
of .Ann .Arbor and served an appreticeship to the 
mason's trade here, becoming a practical work- 
man, expert in his chosen field of labor. He was 
employed by others for some time and then about 
1893 began contracting on his own account, since 
which time he has worked his way upward to a 
successful and growing business, owing to his 
thorough familiarity with the trade both in prin- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



475 



ciple and detail. In all of his business interests he 
is systematic and methodical, is alert and enter- 
prising, is watchful of opportunities and quick to 
utilize the advantages that come to him and more- 
over he has sustained an unassailable reputation 
for integrity in all transactions. 

In i8qo !Mr. Clancy was married to Miss Emnui 
Tesmer. of Ann xA.rbor, and they have become the 
parents of two daughters and a son, Mary, Ruth 
and William. Mary is attending school in this 
city. ^Ir. Clancy is a member of the Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks, is an independent 
democrat in his political affiliations and is a com- 
municant of the Roman Catholic church. He 
lives in a beautiful home at No. 415 Lawrence 
avenue, where various evidences of wealth and a 
cultured taste are seen, his success in his chosen 
field of endeavor enabling him to provide his fam- 
ily with all of the comforts and many of the luxu- 
ries of life. 



WILLIAM A. CLARK. 

\\'illiam A. Clark, now living retired after 
active connection with business interests in for- 
mer years, was born in Lincolnshire, England, 
August 28, 1849. His father, James Clark, like- 
wise a native of the same country, crossed the At- 
lantic to the new world in 1850 and after spend- 
ing about a year in New York made his way 
westward to Michigan. He was a teacher by pro- 
fession and for many years was connected with 
educational interests in this state, where he re- 
mained until his death, July 31, 1892. He 
wedded Mary .\nn Allaby, also a native of Eng- 
land, who died February 18, 1891. In their fam- 
ily were seven children, of whom the following 
survive, namely : ]Mary Ann Clark, who is re- 
siding in Ann Arbor ; William A., of this re- 
view; Eliza Jane, now the wife of Byron Rob- 
erts, of Chicago ; Mrs. Eve Edwards, of Okla- 
homa. 

William A. Clark was only about a year old 
when his parents came to this city and he ob- 
tained his education here, after which he entered 
business life. As the years passed he accumu- 



lated a comfortable competency as the result of 
his carefully directed labors, good management 
and keen business discernment and is now living 
retired at his beautiful home in Ann Arbor at 
No. 311 North Main street. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Clark es- 
poused the cause of the Union, enlisting in 1861 
as a member of Company H, Eighth Michigan 
regiment. He served throughout the period of 
hostilities and at the close of the war in 1865 re- 
ceived an honorable discharge. He entered the 
army as a private, participated in many hotly con- 
tested engagements, and by his valor and meri- 
torious conduct on the field of battle won promo- 
tion from grade to grade until he was commis- 
sioned captain. 

In 1869 Mr. Clark married Miss Louise Wildt, 
of Ann Arbor, and they have two children : Win- 
nifred Louise, living at home; and William 
Walter, who is in the United States mail serv- 
ice. Mr. Clark belongs to Golden Rule lodge. 
No. 159, A. F. & A. M., Ann Arbor chapter, No. 
6, R. A. M. and commandery No. 13, K. T., and 
is thus familiar with the teachings and practices 
of the York rite, while the spirit of the craft finds 
exemplification in his honorable life and his 
straightforward relations with his fellowmen. In 
his religious faith he is an Episcopalian. Polit- 
ically a republican, he has long given stalwart sup- 
port to the party, and for two terms he served as 
city clerk of .\nn .\rbor, but has never been a pol- 
itician in the sense of office seeking. However, 
his labors have been beneficial to .\nn Arbor in 
various lines, for his co-operation can always be 
counted upon to further progressive movements 
that have for their object the upbuilding and wel- 
fare of the cit)'. 



JOHN P. WALSH. 



Among the native sons of Dexter township, 
still residing within its borders, John P. Walsh 
is numbered, his birth having occurred on the 
old family homestead here on the 2d of Septem- 
ber, 1857. His parents were John C. and Hon- 
ora (\\ Wallace) \\'alsh, both of whom were na- 



476 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tives of County Kilkenny, Ireland. In the fall 
of 1849 the parents crossed the Atlantic to Amer- 
ica, making their way from ^^"aterford to Liver- 
pool, England, and there taking passage on a 
westward bound sailing vessel, which, after many 
weeks, dropped anchor in the harbor of New 
York. Soon they resumed their journey west- 
ward, proceeding by way of the Hudson river to 
Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo, and by way 
of the Great Lakes to Detroit, from which point 
they came by rail to Dexter. For a short time 
they remained with Mr. Dooly, and Mr. Walsh, 
seeking a favorable location, then purchased 
eighty acres of land, which he at once began to 
clear and farm. Later he added to his homestead 
until he had one hundred and sixty acres, and 
there he carried on general agricultural pursuits, 
making a specialty of wheat. He served on the 
school board for a number of years, and was in- 
terested in community affairs, giving his support 
and co-operation to many measures for the gen- 
eral good. In February, 1850, he went to Cali- 
fornia attracted by the discovery of gold in that 
state, and there he engaged in mining with vary- 
ing success until November, 1855, when he re- 
turned to Michigan. Here he continued to make 
his home until his death, which occurred in 1883, 
when he w^as seventy-one years of age. His wife 
passed away in 1870, when fifty-one years of age. 
Five children were born unto them in Ireland and 
five after they reached America, namely: Mar- 
garet ; Patrick ; Anastasia ; ]\Liry, who died in 
Ireland; ^Michael, who died in this country; 
Alice; John, deceased; John P., of this review; 
James, who is living in Grand Rapids, Michigan ; 
and Mary, who completes the family. 

John P. Walsh, spending his boyhood days 
under the parental roof, pursued his education in 
the public schools, and was reared in the usual 
manner of farm lads of the period. He has spent 
his entire life in Dexter township, and has carried 
on general farming on hij own account since at- 
taining his majority. He raises wheat and corn 
and has one hundred and sixty acres of land un- 
der a high state of cultivation. He is practical 
in all that he undertakes, and his labors have been 
so carefully directed as to win for him a gratify- 
ing: measure of success. 



On the /th of ^lay, 1884, Mr. Walsh was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Cavanaugh, 
who was born January 6, 1858, and is a daughter 
of William and Anna (Maloney) Cavanaugh. 
The parents were both natives of Kings county, 
Ireland, and the father died in Illinois, while the 
mother passed away in Dexter at the age of 
sixty-five ^-ears. In their family were three 
daughters and a son : Mary, now Mrs. Walsh ; 
.Stephen, who is living in Dexter; Sarah, who 
makes her home in the same village ; and Cath- 
erine, deceased. The father came to America in 
the '50s, and was engaged in steamboating on the 
Ohio river. Following his death the mother re- 
moved to ]\Iichigan and her last years were 
passed in Dexter. They were both members of 
the Catholic church. The marriage of Mr. and 
]\Irs. Walsh has been blessed with six children, 
and the family circle yet remains unbroken by 
the hand of death. They are as follows : William, 
born March 7, 1885 ; Margaret May, born March 
16, 1886; Agnes, born March 29, 1887; Ahce L., 
born October 10, 1888 ; Honora A., who was born 
May 31, 1890; and James W., born on the i6th 
of July, 1893. 

Mr. Walsh is a member of Crystal tent. No. 
279. K. O. T. M., of Dexter, and he and his fam- 
ily are communicants of the Catholic chtuxh. He 
has been township clerk for four years, has been 
a member of the school board for twenty-one 
vears, school inspector for two years, and is at 
present supervisor of Dexter township. He votes 
with the democracy, and in the various positions 
to which he has been called he has been found a 
faithful officer, true to the trust reposed in him 
by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth 
and give to him their respect and confidence. 



ERNEST A. CLARK, M. D. 

Ernest A. Clark, physician and surgeon of Ann 
Arbor, is a native of Ontario, Canada, born De- 
cember 21, 1865. His paternal grandfather, 
Moses Clark, died in Detroit, Michigan. His 
father. Dr. George F. Clark, was one of a family 
of eight children, five sons and three daughters. 




DR. ERXEST A. CLARK. 



28 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



479 



of whom one of the sons died in early cliildiiood, 
while the others are yet living. Three of the 
number are physicians, Dr. \\'hitnian E. Clark be- 
ing a successful practioner at Three Rivers, and 
president of the Homeopathic Society of Michi- 
gan. Dr. C. W. Clark is engaged in practice at 
Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was graduated at the 
University of Michigan in 1875 with the 
degree of B. S., and took his medical course 
in Chicago. The third brother is Dr. George 
F. Clark, father of our subject. He is 
a graduate of the Cleveland Homeopathic 
Medical School and for forty-four years 
has practiced successfully in Ontario, hav- 
ing an extensive patronage. He was born in New 
Brunswick and wedded Abigail A. Birch, who 
was born in Ontario, where they still make their 
home. They have but two children, Ernest and 
( ieorge F. The latter completed the course in 
the medical department of the University of 
Michigan in 1893, and has practiced for the past 
six years in Bay City, Michigan. 

Dr. Ernest A. Clark, after acquiring his earl\ 
education in the common schools, continued his 
studies in the Collegiate Institute at Aylmer, On- 
tario, and in Woodstock College of Ontario, and 
then matriculated in the University of Toronto. 
where he w'as licensed to enter upon the practice 
of medicine. Eater coming to Ann Arbor, he was 
graduated lr(ini the luiiversitv here, completing 
the medical course with the class of i8()0. He 
afterward entered upon practice in this citw 
where he has since remained, and he soon dem- 
onstrated his ability to cope with the intricate 
])roblems that continually confront the medical 
practitioner in his efforts to check the ravages of 
disease and restore health. He has been assistant 
surgeon in the Homeopathic Hospital, was as- 
sistant in the eye, ear and throat department, was 
city physician of .\nn Arbor from 1891 until 
1897. and a member of the board of health from 
1 90 1 until 11)03 inclusive. 

His political views accord with the principles 
that constitute the platform of the democratic 
party. He is a j\Iason, belonging to Red Cross 
lodge of .\nn Arbor, and he also affiliates with the 
Maccabees. In 1893 '" this city he married Anna 
M. Ditz. who was born here, and is a daughter 



of Joseph Ditz. They have one child, Josephine 
A., who was born in Ann Arbor. Dr. Clark at- 
tends the Baptist church, and his wife the Bethle- 
hem church. They are prominent socially, having 
gained a large circle of friends whose homes are 
hospitably opened to them. 



WILLIAM H. ESSLINGER. 

William H. Esslinger, who although a young 
man, has already attained success in industrial 
circles in Ann Arbor, conducting a large horse- 
shoeing and blacksniithing establishment as a 
partner in the firm of Seybold & Esslinger, was 
born in .\.nn Arbor, July 15, 1873. His father, 
Frederick Esslinger, was a native of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, and by trade was a blacksmith and 
horseshoer. He also became a minister of the 
German Methodist church, and devoted his life 
to industrial pursuits and to the moral develop- 
ment of the community in which he lived. He 
married Mary Schlagel, and died June 22, 1905, 
at the age of fifty-six years. In their family were 
seven children, of whom six are living, namelv : 
Charles, a manufacturer of Dayton, Ohio ; Wil- 
liam, a horseshoer ;■ Edward, a grocer: Fred, wdio 
is with the American Express Company of Ann 
Arbor; Mrs. Julia Stark. of Ann .\rl:)or ; and Mrs. 
l-'lizabeth Brinzer. 

^^'illiam H. Esslinger acquired his education 
in the public schools of this city, and in his youth 
learned the trade of blacksmithing and horsehoe- 
ing. He is now a partner of George W. Seybold 
under the firm style of Seybold & Esslinger, and 
they are conducting a large horseshoeing and 
blacksmithing establishment in the city, located 
at No. 113 South Fciurth avenue. Mr. Esslinger 
has the reputation of being the best horseshoer 
in the county, and his excellent work has been 
the secret of his large patronage. 

In 1894 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Esslinger and Miss Addie Holdridge. of Somer- 
set. Michigan, and the}- have two children. Ray- 
mond and Elwin, both of whom are attending 
school in .\nn Arbor. IVIr. Esslinger is a mem- 
ber of the German Methodist church, and he is 



48o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



likewise cnnnected with the Kniglits of tlie Mac- 
cabees. Ill liis political aftiliatiim he is a repub- 
lican, but witliout pcjlitical aspiratinn tor office, 
as his time is fully occupied by his business cares 
wherein he is meeting with signal success. 



IJL^KTc )X LFX)XARD SWEET. 

llurton Leonard Sweet, local agent for the 
Singer Sewing Alachine Company of Ann Arbor, 
is a young business man, whose enterprise and 
laudable anil)ition constitute the secret of a well 
merited success. He was born in Salem town- 
ship, Washtenaw countw on the 26th of March, 
1870. Plis father, William Sweet, is a native of 
the Empire state, and came to Washtenaw count\- 
in 1846, since which time he has carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits here, his home being now in 
Salem tnwnshiii. He is a member of the Congre- 
gational church, is a stanch re]3ublican in politics 
and is now sevent)'-seven years of age. He mar- 
ried Eniilv 1 fudson, who also survives. In their 
family were twelve children, of whom ten are \ct 
living: Robert, who resides upon the hcime farm 
in Salem townshi|); William, a resident farmer 
of South Lyon; Ilattie, deceased: Phillip, a 
farmer of .Salem township: Mrs. Mary Ouentale, 
of Ann Arbor; Norman, a farmer living near 
Cadillac, Michigan ; Mrs. DnIK W^inni, of .Salem 
township; Mrs. Allie Ristin, of .Ann Arbor; Re\-. 
M. J. .Sweet, of Pludson, Michigan; ['.urlon 
Leonard, of this review; Mrs. House, of Detroit; 
and Luella, now deceased. 

Burton Leonard Sweet is indebted to the dis- 
trict-school system of Salem township for the 
educational privileges which he acquired, and 
which were supplemented by study in the Ypsi- 
lanti Normal. When his school life was over he 
sought employment in Ann Arbor and was va- 
riously engaged here for some time. Later he be- 
came manager of the Ypsilanti Sewing Atachine 
Compam', and in 1903 he took up his abode in 
Ann Arbor as local agent of the .Singer Sewing 
Machine Company, located at No. 118 East 
Huron street, opposite the courthouse. Here he 
has developed an excellent business and is re- 



garded as a worthy representative of trade circles 
in this city. He carries a full line of sewing ma- 
chines, all (if its ditferent parts and sujiplies. and 
his patronage is liberal. 

In i8i)3 (_)ccurred the marriage of Mr. Sweet 
and Miss Minnie Jennings, of I'ontiac, Michigan. 
Their hoiue has been blessed with four children, 
Harvey, ISurton, (jertrude and Maude. Mr. 
Sweet is a member of the Congregational church 
and is independent in politics. While he has 
never sought to figure before the [jublic in anv 
light save that of a business man, he has never- 
theless won the respect and good will of a large 
circle of friends who recognize his genuine worth. 
He has always lived in W^ashtenaw cinintw and 
from his boyhood da}-s down to the present, he 
has gained the regard and esteem of those with 
whom he has been lirousjht in ciintact. 



\\'ILLIAM P>. COPELAND. 

William W. Copeland. a contract'ir of .\iin Ar- 
l)or, was born in this citv, Januar\- 10, 1875, and 
although \ct a xoung man he has attained a cred- 
itable ])(_)sition in business circles. His parents 
were William and Ella (Coon) Copeland. the 
former a native of Lincolnshire, England, and 
the latter of Ann .\r1)nr. The father, who was a 
cnntraclnr and builder, <lied in the year 11)04, 
I)ut the mother is still li\-ing aufl now makes her 
home ill Delaware, (ijiin. In their family were 
three children, of whom William P). is the young- 
est, the others being: Charles A., of Ann Arbor; 
and Airs. Lichty. who makes her hnmc in this city 
and is now- traveling in Europe. 

At the usual age William P. Copeland entered 
the pulilic schools, wherein he passed through 
successive grades until he had gained a fair Eng- 
lish education. He then put aside his text-books 
and entered upon the task of preparing for a 
business career, bv learning the stone mason's 
trade. He followed masonrv. becoming an expert 
workman, and during the past eleven years he 
has conducted business for himself as a carpen- 
ter contractor and builder. In this way he has 
erected manv fine residences in Ann Arbor, in- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



481 



chulins' the beautiful home nt I )r. 1 ludsoii on 
( Ixford road, of Dr. McMurrich on Hill street, 
and of Mrs. John r>urg, also on Hill street. He 
is now erecting' a fine home for himself at \o. 
208 Catherine street. A glance at these fine resi- 
dences is sufficient to indicate the character of 
his work, and his standing in the field of his 
chosen endeavor. He is a young man of marked 
enterprise, carrying forward with rapiclit}-, en- 
ergy and exactness whatever he undertakes, and 
his labors have been crowned with a gratifying 
measure nf prosperity. 

In 1903 Mr. Copeland was united in marriage 
to Miss Lydia Weimer, of Ann Arbor, and they 
are widely known in this city, where they have 
always resided and where Mr. Coj^eland has so 
directed his efforts as to gain signal recognitinu 
of his abilitx in a business that has now reached 
extensive and profitable proportions. 



D.WIEI. HISCOCK. 



In the long list of their honored dead, whose 
passing away in recent years, the city of Ann 
.Arbor and Washtenaw county have lieen called 
u]5on to mourn, few if an\', will be found in that 
mute procession whose memory will be kept 
longer- green than that of Daniel Hiscock. 

Mr. Hiscock was born in Wayne county, Penn- 
sylvania. September 15, i8ig. His jjaternal 
grandfather was Xoah Hiscock. a native of Mas- 
sachusetts, and of English lineage. His father, 
James Hiscock, also a native of the P>av state, 
and a farmer, was born in 1788, and was a soldier 
in the war of 1812. His mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Xancy Sprague. was the daugh- 
ter of Daniel Sprague. She was born in Massa- 
chusetts in 1/94 and was married in her native 
state. She was also of English ancestr\'. Tames 
Hiscock and his wife, after their marriage, moved 
to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where thev re- 
sided for twelve years. When Daniel was about 
ten years of age, the family set out for Michigan. 
which territory had been thrown open for set- 
tlement only a few years previously, and was still 
part of the "Wild West.'" The journey, which 



was made by wagon and a three-horse team, oc- 
cupied six weeks ; and they arrived at their des- 
tination October 29. 1829. During the trip they 
camped by the wayside, lodging two nights in the 
Maumee swamps. The family located in the 
woods on section 20. which has long since been 
forming part of the city of Ann Arbor. James 
Hiscock engaged in general farming, in which 
pursuit he continued up to the time of his death. 
I'ew of the jiresent generation realize the hard- 
ships endured b}' those early settlers. The broil- 
ing sun of summer, causing the rise of vapors 
from the swamps and virgin soil. ])regnant of 
fever and ague, and the rigors of the long win- 
ters were only a part of the tribute which nature 
exacted from those who con(|uered the wilder- 
ness. 

In the family, in addition to Daniel, were six 
bovs and three .girls. Two of the latter died in 
childhood. The surviving one. Airs. Rebecca 
Wood, died in .Ann .Arbor in the early '30s. The 
boys all lived to maturity, but only one, Levi, who 
lived for some years at Earlville. Illinois, and 
moved to California in the earl\- jjart of 190(1, 
now survives. 

Daniel was the eldest of the family. He at- 
tended school in .Ann Arbor, where educational 
facilities were not far advanced in those early 
(lavs. He worked with his father, assisting him 
to clear the farm ; also worked for some time for 
his neighbors on their farms, and drove a teatn 
of four cattle, savs an earlier historian, "while 
shaking like a leaf from the ague." 

His father died in 1840 and his mother fol- 
lowed him about ten \ears later. .After the death 
of his parents. Daniel found it necessary to as- 
sume the care of the family. This he did faith- 
fullv. earing for the younger children until they 
were old enough t(] take care of themselves. The 
])ro])ertv was then divided among the family. 

Air. Hiscock's farm was on section 20. and on 
it he erecti.d several fine buildings. I lis cattle, 
which formed his chief line of live stock, were 
recognized as being of a very fine breed. He also 
raised shee]> which, in their day, were famous 
both for their mutton and their wool. He was 
also a dealer in wool, the field of his operations 
extendimj over all Washtenaw eountv. His 



48o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



likewise connected with the Knights of the Mac- 
cabees. In his pt)htical affihation he is a repnb- 
hcan, but witliont ])ohtical aspiration for office, 
as his time is fully (iccu])ie<l by his business cares 
wherein he is nieetinL;' with signal success. 



nURT( ).\ LEOX.\RD SWEET. 

Pjurton Leonard Sweet, local agent for the 
Singer Sewing Machine Comj^any of Ann Arbor, 
is a \oung business man, whose enterprise and 
laudable ambition constitute the secret of a well 
merited success. He was born in Salem town- 
ship. Washtenaw cuunt)-, i )n the 2fith of March, 
1870, His father, William Sweet, is a native of 
the Empire state, and came to ^^'ashtenaw county 
in 184(1, since which time he has carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits here, his home being now in 
Salem township. He is a member of the Congre- 
gational church, is a stanch republican in politics 
and is now seventy-seven years of age. He mar- 
ried Emilv Hudson, who also survives. In their 
family were twelve children, of win mi ten are yet 
living: Robert, who resides upon the home farm 
in Salem township : William, a resident farmer 
of South Lyon ; Hattie, deceased : Phillip, a 
farmer of Salem township ; Mrs. Mary Ouentale. 
of Ann Arbor; Norman, a farmer living near 
Cadillac, Michigan : Mrs. Dolly Warren, of Salem 
township: Mrs. Allie Ristin. nf Ann .\rbor: Rev. 
M. J. .Sweet, of Hudson, .Michigan: Burton 
Leonard, of this review ; Mrs. House, of Detroit; 
and Luella, now deceased. 

Burton Leonard Sweet is indebted to the dis- 
trict-school system of .Salem township for the 
educational privileges which he acquired, and 
which were supplemented by study in the Ypsi- 
lanti Normal, When his school life was over he 
sought employment in .\nn .\rbor and was va- 
riously engaged here for some time. Later he be- 
came manager of the Ypsilanti Sewing Machine 
Company, and in 1905 he took up his abode in 
.A.nn Arbor as local agent of the Singer Sewing 
Machine Company, located at No. n8 East 
Huron street, opposite the courthouse. Here he 
has developed an e.xcellent business and is re- 



garded as a worthy representative of trade circles 
in this city. He carries a full line of sewing ma- 
chines, all of its different parts and supplies, and 
his patronage is liberal. 

In i8()3 occurred the marriage of Mr. Sweet 
aufl Miss Minnie Jennings, of Pontiac, Michigan, 
'Iheir home has been blessed with four children, 
Harvey, liurton, Gertrude and JNIaude, Mr. 
Sweet is a member of the Congregational church 
and is independent in politics. While he has 
never sought to figure before the public in any 
light save that of a business man, he has never- 
theless won the res]5ect and gixicl will of a large 
circle of friends who recognize his genuine worth. 
He has alwavs lived in \\'ashtenaw county, and 
from his boxhood da)s down to the present, he 
has gained the regard and esteem of those with 
whom he has been brought in contact. 



W ILLIAM B. COPELAND. 

William li. Copeland, a contractor of .\nn .\r- 
lior, \\a>- horn in this citw January 10, 1875, and 
although yet a young man he has attained a cred- 
itable position in business circles. His parents 
were William and Ella (Coon) Copeland, the 
former a native of Lincolnshire, England, and 
the latter of Ann .\rbor. The father, who was a 
coutractor and builder, died in the year t<)04, 
but the mother is still living and now makes her 
home in Delaware, ( )hio. In their family were 
three children, of whom William P). is the young- 
est, the others being: Charles A., of Ann Arbor; 
and Mrs. Lichty, who makes her home in this city 
and is now traveling in Europe. 

.\t the usual age William B. Copeland entered 
the public schools, wherein he passed through 
successive grades until he had gained a fair Eng- 
lish education. He then put aside his text-books 
and entered upon the task of preparing for a 
business career, by learning the stone mason's 
trade. He followed masonry, becoming an expert 
workman, and during the past eleven years he 
has conducted business for himself as a carpen- 
ter contractor and builder. In this way he has 
erected manv fine residences in .\nn .Arbor, in- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



481 



cliulinS' the l)cautifiil lionic c.f I )r. IIiuImju mi 
( )xtnr(l road, of Dr. ;\IcMurrich on llill struct, 
and of Mrs. John Durg. also on Hill street. He 
is now erecting a fine home for himself at Xo. 
208 Catherine street. .\ glance at these fine resi- 
dences is snfficient to indicate the character of 
his work, and his standing in the field of his 
chosen endeavor. He is a young man of marked 
enterprise, carrying forward with rapidity, en- 
erg\- and exactness whatever he undertakes, and 
his labors have been crowned with a gratifying 
measure of prosperity. 

In 1903 -Mr. Copeland was united in marriage 
to Miss Lvdia XA'eimer, of Ann Arbnr, and they 
are wideK known in this city, where they have 
al\\a\s resided and where Mr. Copeland has so 
directed his efforts as to .gain signal rec( ignition 
of his abilit\ in a business that has now reached 
extensive and profitable proportic.ms. 



DAXIRL HISCOCK. 



In the long list of their honored dead, whose 
passing awa\' in recent years, the city of .Vnn 
.\rbor and ^^'ashtenaw county have been called 
u])on to mourn, few if any, will be found in that 
mute procession whose memorx will be kept 
longer- green than that of Daniel Hiscock. 

Mr. Hiscock was born in W^ayne county. Penn- 
sylvania, .September 13, i8ig. His paternal 
grandfather was Xoah Hiscock, a native of Mas- 
sachusetts, and of English lineage. His father, 
James Hiscock, also a native of the Pay state. 
an<l a farmer, was born in 1788, and was a soldier 
in the war of 1812, His mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Nancy Sprague, was the daugh- 
ter of Daniel Si)rague. She was burn in Massa- 
chusetts in 1794 and was married in her native 
state. She was also of English ancestrw James 
Hiscock and his wife, after their marriage, nidved 
to Wayne county, i 'ennsylvania, where thev re- 
sided for twelve years. When Daniel was about 
ten years of age. the family set out for Michigan, 
which territory had been thrown open for set- 
tlement only a few years previously, and was still 
part of the "Wild West." The journe\. which 



was made by wagon and a three-horse team, oc- 
cupied six weeks : and they arrived at their des- 
tination October 29, 1829, During the trip they 
camped by the wayside, lodging two nights in the 
Maumee swamjis. The family located in the 
woods on section 20, which has long since been 
forming part of the city of .\nn .\rbor. James 
Hiscock engaged in general farming, in which 
pursuit he continued up to the time of his death, 
hew of the present generation realize the hard- 
ships endured by those early settlers. The broil- 
ing sun of summer, causing the rise of vapors 
from the swam])s and virgin soil, pregnant of 
fever and ague, and the rigors of the long win- 
ters were onl\- a part of the tribute which nature 
exacted from those who conquered the wilder- 
ness. 

In the family, in addition to Daniel, were six 
bovs and three girls. Two of the latter died in 
childhood. Tlie surviving one, Mrs. Rebecca 
Wood, died in .\nn .Arlmr in the early "50s. The 
bovs all lived to maturity, but only one, Levi, who 
lived for some years at Earlville. Illinois, and 
moved to California in the early jiart of 1906, 
now survives. 

Daniel was the eldest of the family. He at- 
tended school in .\nn .\rbor, where educational 
facilities were not far advanced in those early 
days. He worked with his father, assisting him 
to clear the farm : also wc^rked for some time for 
his neighbors on their farms, and drove a team 
I if four cattle, sa\"s an earlier historian, "while 
shaking like a leaf from the ague," 

His father died in 1840 and his mother fol- 
lowed him about ten years later, .\fter the death 
of his parents, Daniel found it necessary to as- 
sume the care of the family. This he did faith- 
fulh', caring for the younger children until they 
were old enough to take care of themselves. The 
proi)ertv was then divided among the family. 

Mr. Hiscock's farm was on section 20, and on 
it he erected se\-eral fine buildings. His cattle, 
which formed his chief line of live stock, were 
recognized as being of a very fine breed. He also 
raised sheeji which, in their da\-, were famous 
both for their mutton and their wool. He was 
also a dealer in wool, the field of his operations 
extending over all Washtenaw countv. His 



482 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



peach orchard was one of the finest in the county. 

For over twenty-five years prior to his death, 
he was one of the directors of the Ann Arbor 
Savings Bank, and for six or seven years was an 
extensive coal and wood dealer. The field of his 
activities was, by no means, confined to that of 
farming and mercantile pursuits. He took an 
active part in politics, being elected one term 
as supervisor, and three terms as alderman from 
the third ward. In the beginning of his political 
career he afiiliated himself with the old line 
whig party, but later became a republican. 

Mr. Hiscock was married on November 10, 
1847, *-0 Miss Maria White, daughter of Eber 
and Polly White, who came to Washtenaw county 
from Sheldon, New York, when Mrs. Hiscock 
was only six weeks old. Of this union were born 
Charles E., now president of the .\nn .\rbor Sav- 
ings Bank; Edward D., a ])rominent coal dealer 
and merchant of .\nn Arbor; and Mary, wife of 
J. J. Reed, a well known real-estate dealer of 
Chicago. 

Mr. Hiscock's tragic death, which occurred on 
the evening of May 30, igoi, was a great shock 
to the citizens of Ann Arbor. He was returning 
in his buggy to the city from a trip which he had 
made that afternoon into the country, and was 
crossing the Michigan Central tracks at Whit- 
more Lake crossing, when the vehicle was struck 
bv a fast express train coming from the west, kill- 
ing him instantly. For several years ]irior to his 
death, Mr. Hiscock had been afflicted with deaf- 
ness, and it is generally supposed that he did not 
hear the approaching train. As a sad co-inci- 
dence, his son Edward D., was a passenger on the 
train, but although he learned that a man had 
been killed, he did not kn(]w it was his father un- 
til after he got into .\nn .\rbor. Mr. Hiscock had 
accumulated (|uite a competency; and in this un- 
timely end. .\nn .\rbor lost one of her sturdiest 
and most progressive citizens. 

His death was deeply deplored by his busts of 
friends and acfjuaintances, and was considered a 
distinct loss to the community, whose interests he 
had done so nnich to advance, and where in life 
he was honored and respected by all who knew 
him. llis funeral was one of the largest ever 
held in .vnn .-Krbor. Pie was buried in Forest 



Hill cemeter\-. His religious faith was that of 
the Methodist church. His wife, who still sur- 
vives him, lives with her son, Charles E., in the 
family residence at No. 911 North Main street, 
.Vnn .A.rbor. 



SAMUEL A. STADEL. 

, That the Ijuilding interests of Ann .\rbor have 
some most competent representatives, men who 
have attained high proficiency in this line of in- 
dustrial art is evidenced throughout the beautiful 
university city in its fine residences, substantial 
business blocks and modern public buildings. The 
firm of Stadel & .\lber, of which Samuel A. Sta- 
del is the senior partner, are receiving a liberal 
share of the public patronage in this line because 
of an ability and business integrity that has won 
for them an enviable position in industrial circles. 

Mr. .Stadel was born in .\nn .\rbt]r, December- 
5, 1873, and is of German parentage. His father, 
Jacoli Stadel, a native of Germany, came to .\mer- 
ica in his boyhood days and s])ent his life in .Ann 
Arbor. He married Christine Eckerd and both 
have passed away, the latter in 1897 '^•'"^ ^^^ ^'^^' 
nier in 11,03. ^'i their family were four sons and 
three daughters : George, who is with Sauer & 
Com];)anv, contractors of .\nn Arbor ; William, a 
resident <if Grand Rapids, Michigan: Pauline, iif 
this city; Mrs. Lydia IMarsh, also of Ann Arbor; 
Samuel .\. ; Emanuel, who is engaged in the 
clothing business in .\nn Arbur; and Katherinc, 
of this city. 

.\t the usual age Air. .^tadel became a imblic- 
school student and when his education was ci.mi- 
])leted he began learning the carpenter's and 
joiner's trade, being employed by John Lucas, J. 
Krunu'ci and others. In 1901 he formed a part- 
nershi]) and established the firm of .Stadel & .Al- 
ber, contractors and Iniilders. and they have since 
erected nianv fine homes in Ann Arbur, their labor 
adding to the attractive appearance of one of 
Alichigan's most beautiful cities. A^iewed from a 
financial standpoint their labors have also been 
successful and the record of the firm entitles them 
to further consideration and patronage. 




SAMUEL A. STADEL. 



M 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



485 



In lyoi Air. Stadel was married to Miss Sophia 
Zeifle, of Ann Arbor, and they have a Httle daugh- 
ter, Esther, three years of age. They held mem- 
bership in the liethlehem Evangelical church and 
Mr. Stadel affiliates with the Modern Woodmen, 
while his political views accord with the ))rincii)les 
and policy of the democratic party. He is, how- 
ever, without political ambition, desiring rather to 
concentrate his energies upon his building busi- 
ness in which he is meeting with signal success. 



EDWARD L. SEYLKR. 

Edward L. Seyler, who after seven years in- 
cumbency in the office of city assessor, has re- 
C''nti\- resigned to become the cashier of the 
newlv oi-ganized ( "lerman-American Savings 
Ilank of .\nn .Vrlior, was bom in this city, Au- 
gust 17. 1866. His parents were .Adam D. and 
Catherine ( Bessinger) Seyler. The father was 
a native of Canada, and the mother's birth oc- 
curred in this county. She was a daughter of 
Conrad ISessinger, one of the early settlers of 
^\'ashtenaw county, who arrived here wiien .\nn 
.\ri)or was a very small town. He came to the 
west from Buffalo, New Y'ork, traveling across 
the countr\- with an ox team; and at tiie time of 
his demise, was the oldest man in the ciiunty. 
]>assing away at the verv venerable age of ninety- 
four years. 

.\dam D. Sexier arrived in Washtenaw county 
in the early '60s. having made his home in Can- 
ada up to that time. Here he began clerking 
for John Maynard. dealer in dry goods on Main 
street in .\nn Arbor, with whom he remained 
until 1864, when he embarked in business on his 
own account as a retail shoe merchant on Main 
street. He continued in the trade u]) to the time 
of his death, and was very successful. He was a 
ynHir man wiien he arrived in this count\ , Init as 
the years passed tiirough his frugalitx', diligence 
and close ap])]ication he accumulated a comije- 
tence that enabled him to leaxe his famiK in com- 
fortable financial circumstances. He was active 
in all of the affairs of the city, and had the wel- 
fare and pros])erit\ of .\nn .Vrbor at heart. His 



active aid and co-operation could be counted upon 
to fm-thcr progressive public measures, and he 
rendered signal service to the city while filling 
the positions of recorder and alderman, acting in 
the latter capacity for two terms. He was also 
deput\- county treasurer for one term, and his po- 
litical views were in accord with the principles of 
the democrac\-. He was a man. fearless in de- 
fense of his honest convictions, and true to every 
cause which he espoused. Active in church work, 
lie was one of the organizers of Zion (lerman 
church, and later he became a member and treas- 
urer of the First Preslixterian church, in which 
position he continued until the time of his death. 
He passed away in i8<;4. at the age of fifty-six 
\-ears, and his wife died in januarw 11)04, at the 
age of lift\-nine \ears. They were the i^arents 
of five children, all born in .\nn Arbor and three 
are \ et living: Julius \'., a resident of Detroit: 
Edward L. ; and i'hillapena, the wife of Alveck J. 
Pearson, now a resident of Pasadena, California. 
( )ne daughter, Ida, became the wife of William 
J. Fowler, of Detroit, Michigan, and died, leaving 
a son, William J. Jr. 

Edward L. Seyler was a jniblic-school student 
in Ann .\rl)or until he liail com])leted the high- 
school course. He afterward went to Detroit, 
where he became connected with shoe manufac- 
turing and also with the wholesale shoe house of 
I'ingree & Smith, acting for a year and a half as 
citv salesman and general clerk, during which 
time he gained an intimate and comprehensive 
knowledge of the business. He then returned to 
.\nn -\rbor and was admitted to a partnership 
b\- his father under the firm name of A. D. Seyler 
tv: Son. which relation was maintained success- 
fully until the father's death. Mr. Seyler, of this 
review, then sold out and became bookkeeper for 
tlie F. l-". Mills dry-goods store of this citv, acting 
in that capacitv for two years. He was then ap- 
pointed city treasurer, filling the position in 1897 
and i8()8, an<l in tiie latter year he was appointed 
citv otficer. in which capacity he remained until 
the spring of IQ06, when he resigned. He had 
given excellent satisfaction, winning high enco- 
miums from all concerned. He voluntarily retired 
from the position in order to become cashier of 
the newh- organized ( ierman-.Vmerican Savings 



486 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Bank. This bank was formed with C. W. Gill 
as president, George J. Mann as first vice presi- 
dent, Paul Snanble second vice president and Ed- 
ward L. Seyler cashier. The board of directors 
includes the officers together with John Feiner, 
C. W. Wagner, William H. Murray, George 
Walker and John Lindenschmitt. The bank is 
capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, and there 
are seventy-five stockholders, no one having over 
one thousand dollars in shares. Eighteen of the 
number have just one thousand dollars, and the 
remainder hold shares to the value of five hun- 
dred dollars or less. 

Mr. Seyler was married in April, 1894, to Miss 
Flora A. Vandawarker, a daughter of the late 
Edward A'andawarker and a native of this city. 
They have two children, Genevieve and Kath- 
erine, both born in Ann Arbor. The parents are 
members of the First Presbyterian church, and 
for the past ten years Mr. Seyler has been one of 
its trustees. They take an active part in church 
work and arc interested in its growth and the ex- 
tension of its influence. Mr. Seyler likewise be- 
longs to Golden Rule lodge, A. F. & A. M., and 
Washtenaw chapter, R. .V. J\l. of .\nn Arbor, 
W'hile his political su])])ort has always been given 
to the rejniblican party. He has made a credit- 
able record in office, and the business qualities 
therein displayed recommend him fur the position 
wdiich he is now fillinp\ 



CO.XRAD GEORGE, :\1. D. 

The favcirable regard of the |inl)lic concerning 
the professional career of Dr. Conrad (icorge is 
the legitimate result of abilit\-, which has been 
manifest in many years of active and able prac- 
tice. He was b(irn in (iermany, in 1848. His fa- 
ther, John ( ienrge. likewise a native of that coun- 
try, married Catherine Grau, who was also born 
in German}-. They came to .\meric;i in 1856, 
settling first at Buffalo, New York, and after- 
ward removing to Canada. The father died in 
1886, but the mother is still living, having reached 
the advanced asie of eia;htv-four vears. 



Dr. George was a lad of eight summers when 
he accompanied his father on the voyage across 
the .\tlantic to Canada. He established his home 
in Ann Arbor in 1870, when a young man of 
twenty-two years. He had acquired his early 
education in the schools of llerlin and Waterloo, 
Ontario, and subsequently entered the University 
of Michigan, from which he was graduated with 
the class of 1872 as a member of the medical de- 
partment. He then opened an office for practice 
in Ann .\rbor, where he has continued success- 
fully to the present time. He has long been re- 
cognized as one of the leading physicians here, 
having an extensive patronage, and his labors are 
conducted along the most modern, scientific lines, 
lie is an interested student of science in its va- 
rious branches, and has a very extensive library 
on the sciences and kindred topics, with the con- 
tents of which he is largely familiar. 

In 1873 ^^- George was married in Toronto, 
Canada, to Miss Ellen M. Reeves, who was born 
in that city and was graduated from the Normal 
School of Toronto, becoming a successful teacher 
in the schools of that place. Thev have nine 
chi1<lren. of whom eight are living: Conrad, a 
graduate of the literary department of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan with the class of i8g6, and 
of the medical department of i8q(), is also a prac- 
titioner of .Vnn .\rbor. He married Katherine 
Haller, a native of this city. Helen George be- 
came the wife of Lloyd Edward Gandy, a gradu- 
ate of Michigan School of Law, who is now liv- 
ing in Spokane, Washington. She is a gradu- 
ate of the School of ]Music of .\nn Arlior. with 
the class of 1903, and has one son, Joseph Ed- 
ward, the second. William J. is the third of the 
faniil\-. Catlierine R. completed the literary 
course in the I'niversity of Michigan with the 
class of 11)03. Louise completed the same course 
with the class of 1905. Henry is a student in the 
engineering department of the I'niversity of 
Michi.iian. Thusnelda is attending the high school 
of Ann Arbor, and Chriemhilda completes the 
family. Dr. George has devoted his undivided 
attenti<in to his professional labors and to investi- 
gation along lines that have prompted his effi- 
ciency and the consensus of public ojiinion places 
him in the front rank among the physicians of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



487 



Ann Arbor, while his close conforniit}- to a high 
standard of professional ethics has gained him the 
good will and favorable regard of his fellow 
members of the medical fraternity. 



JOHN WISNER. 

John Wisner, of Ann Arbor, was born in Illi- 
nois, September 30, 1849. I^'s father, Warner 
Wisner, was a native of the state of New York, 
and after his marriage to Sarah Graham, who 
was burn in New York, .March 6, 1817, he re- 
moved to lUnois, where he followed the mill- 
wright's trade, which he had learned in early life. 
In New York, however, he and his brother had 
owned a number of sailboats on the lake, used 
both for pleasure and for carrying merchandise : 
but after establishing his Iiunu- in the west, he re- 
sumed work at the millwright's trade. He spent a 
few years in Illinois, and then came to Michigan 
in 1 859, settling in the southwestern part of Wash- 
tenaw countv, in ?ilanchester township. There he 
followed the carpenter's trade, and did general 
contracting. He engaged in moving buildings 
and other work of that character, and so con- 
tinued up to the time of his death, which occurred 
.\u,gust 17. 1878. when he was seventy-eight 
years of age. His wife died there in March, 
1895, at the age of eighty years and four days. 
She was a daughter of Samuel and .Sarah (Free- 
man) Graham. Mr. and Mrs. Wisner became 
the parents of eight children. 

John Wisner, the sixth in order uf Iiirtli in that 
family, acquired a public-school education, which 
he completed in the Union school in iVIanchester, 
Michigan. He then worked with his father in the 
general contracting business, and upon the latter's 
death, succeeded to the business of house mov- 
ing. He also does grading of all kinds and con- 
tract work for iron bridges and stone work. He 
has been employed in this way in all parts of the 
county, and in 1887 he came to .\nn .\rbor to 
move the building on the old fair ground to its 
present location. Since that time he has made 
this city his headquarters, and has maintained 
his residence here for the last four \ears. He has 



met with a fair measure of success and has led 
a very busy life. 

(Jn the 24th of June, 1883, Mr. Wisner was 
married to Miss Mary Foley, who was born in 
Ireland, and came to America with a brother 
after the death of their parents. By her marriage 
she has five children : Bessie, at home ; Maud, 
the wife of Samuel McGongial : Sarah; George; 
and Rimer. .\11 of the children were born in 
!\Ianchester, and Mr. Wisner still owns the farm 
tliere. 

In politics he is independent, and is now filling 
the office of street connnissioner of Ann Arbor, 
to wdiich positiiin he was appointed June 5, 1905. 
While living in Manchester he was trustee of the 
villa.ge for four or five years, and he has ever 
been found true to the confidence reposed in him 
whether in public office or business life. 



FRANKLIN C. PARKER. 

Prominent among the representatives of real- 
estate interests in this section of the state is nimi- 
bered Franklin C. Parker, of Ann .A.rbor, who is 
a native son of this city, born on the 25th of No- 
vember, 1870. His parents were Franklin L. 
and Lucy D. (Stow) Parker. The father was 
born in the state of New York and came to Wash- 
tenaw count\- in the early period of its develop- 
ment. By profession he was a lawyer, well versed 
in the science of jurisprudence, and he became 
largely interested in real-estate operations here. 
He married Lucy D. Stow, a (laughter of Warren 
P. and Elizabeth (Ward) Stow, representatives 
of an old New England family of Litchfield, Con- 
necticut. Mr. and Mrs. Parker became the par- 
ents of five children : Lucy P.. the wife of Dr. 
Huber, of .\nn ,\rbor, l)y whom she has three 
children, Lucy. Paul and John Franklin; William 
Morgan, deceased; Franklin C, of this review- 
Edwin R., who has gone to Denver. Colorado, 
for his health; :ui(l Juhn M., who is eng-aged in 
the practice of law in Detroit. The father. 
I'ranklin L. Parker, was for many years a promi- 
nent and representative citizen of Ann Arbor of 
o-ood standing; at the liar and in real-estate circles. 



488 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



He is now deceased l)Ut is still surA'ived by his 
wife, who in 1856 came to Ann Arbor to live 
with an aunt and is a graduate of the hig-h school 
of this city. 

Franklin C. Parker has always remained a resi- 
dent cif Aiui Arbor and comjjleted his literary 
education here. He is also a graduate lawyer but 
gives his undivided attention to real-estate dealing 
at the present time. He has been in this business 
since l88i) and dials in bcith city and country 
pro]K'rty, improved and unimproved. He also 
re]5resents various old-time and reliable life and 
tire insurance com|)anies and has large offices in 
the Henning Plock at the corner of Huron and 
Fourth streets. His clientage is extensive and 
his business protitaljle. 

Jn i8()7 Mr. I'arker was married to Faith H. 
Gilbert, of Detroit. Alichigan, and unto them were 
born twci children, I'Aangeline and Constance, 
ag'ed res]3ectively seven and three years. .Mr. 
I'arker is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of 
the Presbyterian church and is prominent and 
l^opular socially in the city where his entire life 
has been passed and where many of his stanchest 
friends are those wlm have known him from his 
bovhood. 



:\nCHAFL J. FRIT/. 

Alichael J. hrit/,. well kiKiwn in the bankini,; 
and business world in general as the cashier oi 
the .Xnn Arbor Savings liank, was born in .Scio 
township, June 6, 1856. His father. Jnhn .Michael 
I'ritz, an admirable type of that magnificent 
(iernianic race, who have stamped the impress of 
their splendid national character fur all time 
on Washtenaw count}-, was a native of Wurtem- 
berg. (ieriuany, and was born about 1820. He 
came to .America in the earl\- '40s and located 
in Cincinnati, where he worked .-dmul a year, 
after which he came to ^^'ashtenaw county, set- 
tling in Scio township, where he engaged in 
farming. J-Tere he was married to Aima llar- 
bara Beck, who was born in Wurtemberg in 1822, 
and who came with her parents to Washtenaw 
county in 1831, the family settling in Scio town- 
ship on section 24. ( )f this union were born 



|ohn, L(niis and C'hristian, who occupy the old 
homestead in Scio township, where their mother's 
family first settled; .Mrs, C'atherine I'.ross, of 
Lakeland, Michigan: Michael J. and .Mar\-, who 
live with their mother in .\nn .Vrbor. 

John Alichael l*ritz died in 185/), universallv 
regretted In his large circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. In 1862 Mrs. h'ritz married I^ouis 
Fritz, brother to her former husband. Louis 
I'ritz was engaged in the meat business in .\nn 
.\rbor for thirty years, but lived in retirement 
for fifteen \'ears prior to his deatii. He died in 
i8Sr). He was widely known and highly re- 
spected in .\nn .\rbor and throughout the county. 

.^[ichael J. hritz was educated in the cHstrict 
school in .Scio township until twelve \ears of 
ac:e, at which period in his career he moved with 
his mother to .\nn ,\rbor. Here he entered the 
second ward and grammar schools, after which 
he attended the high school until 1873. In 1874 
l".e entered the .\nn .\rbor Savings Hank as mes- 
senger, and filled e\'er\' snccessive position up to 
that of assistant cashier, to which position he 
was ]:)romoted in i8()2. In this cajiacity he dem- 
onstrated abilit\' and integrity of the highest or- 
der, and served until 1901, when he was elected 
cashier, which ])osition he fills at present. He v^'as 
elected as a director of the bank in the same year, 
and is also secretary and treasurer of the Lib- 
erty Street lUiilding Company. 

That he has hosts of |)ersonal friends in the 
business world and throughout Washtenaw 
county it is hardly necessary to remark. In his 
busy business career, [Mr. Fritz never had any 
time to devote to politics. His mother and family 
are meiubers of the German Lutheran Evan- 
uelical clnu-ch. 



]\L-\TTHFW Ai.VX. 



.\mong the native sons of Ypsilanti who have 
alwa\s maintained their residence within her 
borders is numbered Matthew Ma.x, whose birth 
here occurred on the 5th of September, 1877. He 
is a representative of one of the old and promi- 
nent families here, his father being Nicholas 
AFax, who for more than fortv vears has been a 




.MICHAEL J. FRITZ. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



491 



facte ir in the business life of Ypsilanti, known 
and honored because of his industry, enterprise 
and business integrity. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Mary Hennefjer, and unto them were 
Ixirn five children, three sons and two daughters, 
as follows: Matthew: Fred, who is living in 
Ypsilanti : Cora, who is a graduate of the high 
school of this city and is now engaged in teach- 
ing ; Ruth, who is a public-school student : and 
Clarence, who is attending the kindergarten. 

Matthew Ala.x was reared under the parental 
roof, devoting his time between play, work and 
duties of the schoolroom in the usual manner of 
lads of this day and age. He attended the gram- 
mar and high schools of Ypsilanti, thus acquiring 
a good education, which qualified him for the 
practical duties that come when the school books 
are laid aside and one enters the business world. 
He was connected with the shoe trade of the city 
for a number of years and then, turning his at- 
tention in another direction, he became proprie- 
tor of a Inififet and restaurant at No. 56 Cross 
street, Ypsilanti, where he is accorded a liberal 
and growing patronage. 

Mr. Max has always endorsed democratic prin- 
ciples and voted for the men and measures of the 
party, and is regarded as one of the leading repre- 
sentatives of democracy in his home community. 

He is now acting as alderman of the fifth ward, 
having been elected for the second term on the 
democratic ticket, and his second election was 
practically unanimous, a fact which indicates his 
capability and efficient service during his first 
term. He is a very energetic and enterprising 
young man with a large social and business 
acquaintance. 



HENRY PAUL. 



Henry Paul, deceased, was long identified with 
agricultural interests in Washtenaw county and 
was a representative of one of its pioneer families. 
His birth occurred in this county, in Scio town- 
ship, on the 3d of June, 1840, his parents being 
Jacob and Anna Mary Paul, who were natives of 
Germany. With a large family of children they 
came to .\merica and on reaching the shores of 



the new world continued their journey into the 
interior of the country. They made their way di- 
rect to Washtenaw county and cast in their lot 
with its early settlers. Mr. Paul purchased a 
farm in Scio township, to the improvement and 
development of which he gave his energies for 
many years. Eventually, however, with a hand- 
some competency that he had acquired through 
his unremitting diligence he removed to Ann Ar- 
bor to live a retired life, residing with his son 
Henry in this city for five years. He then re- 
turned to Scio township and made his home with 
his son Gottfred until his death. His wife died 
upon the old farm homestead in that township. 
They were esteemed and worthy German people of 
the locality and enjoyed the warm regard of 
many with whom they had come in contact. 

Henry Paul attended the country schools of 
Scio townshi]-). thus his boyhood and youth being 
passed in the usual manner of farm lads. When 
a young man he was in poor health and was un- 
able to do any hard manual labor so that he de- 
sired to give his attention to office work. On that 
account he came to Ann Arbor and attended school 
for five montlis, subsequent to which time he and 
his nephew entered into partnership and built 
a large factory, in which they began the manu- 
facturer of furniture under the firm style of Paul 
& Bissinger. This became one of the leading 
industrial enterprises of the city and eniplovment 
was furnished to a large number of men. Mr. 
Paul continued in business for about three years 
and then sold out, turning his attention to the 
lime business, which he conducted near the Michi- 
gan Central Railroad depot, that enterprise claim- 
ing his time and energies for a few years. He 
next formed a partnership with Mr. James in the 
conduct of a marble business near the postoffice 
building in Ann .A.rbor and his time was thus oc- 
cupied for several years, during which period he 
was largely upon the road traveling in the inter- 
ests of his house and also for the benefit of his 
health. He was not benefited thereby, however, 
and decided to return to agricultural life. He 
then purchased a farm in Pittsfield township, two 
miles south of Ann Arbor on what is known as 
the old Saline road and throughout his remaining 
days was connected with agricultural interests. 



492 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Prior to his removal to Ann Arbor Mr. Paul 
was united in marriage in this city to ]\Iiss Cath- 
erine Cook, \vli(5 was born in Freedom township. 
^Vashtenaw■ county, October 13, 1843, ^"'^ '^ a 
daughter of John George and Catherine Cook, 
both of whom were natives of Germany. \t an 
earlv da\- they came to this country and settled 
in Freedom township, Washtenaw county, where 
the father purchased forty acres of land, of which 
thirty-nine acres was covered with timber. ( )n 
the remaining acre he raised potatoes, which were 
almost evcr\thing the faniil\- had to V\w on for a 
year. With characteristic energy, however, he 
began clearing the remainder of the farm and 
built ihereon a log cabin. He had an ox team 
with which he (lit! his hauling and plowed his 
land. Ann Arljor was the nearest market, fifteen 
miles distant, and .Mrs. Cook would fre(|uently 
walk to that city, carrying with her butter and 
eggs which she disposed of to merchants there. 
Mr. Cook hauled his wood to town with his ox 
team and thus the family struggled on for a few 
vears, during which time they saved enough 
mone_\- to ])urchase a large and better farm in the 
same township. A few years later ^Ir. Cook sold 
his second property and removed to Lodi town- 
ship, where he purchased what is known as the 
old Thomas ]\Jorris farm, residing thereon until 
1853, when he deeded this property to his son. 
At that time he bought a tract of land in Pitts- 
field township, whereon he carried on general 
agricultural pursuits until 1869, when he decided 
to retire from active business life. Removing to 
Ann Arbor he erected a large brick residence on 
Division street and there lived retired in the en- 
joyment of the fruits of his former toil until his 
death, which occurred August 7, 1902. His wife 
pa.ssed awav in this city in November, 1900. 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul became the parents of five 
children, but only two are now living: Alfred J., 
who is proprietor of a saloon at Ann Arbor and 
is represented elsewhere in this work ; and Amelia 
M., the wife of Andrew Reule, of the firm of 
Reule, Conliii & Fiegel, clothing merchants of 
this city, also represented elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. Of those deceased, two died in infancy, 
while Augusta passed away in 1905, at the age 
of twenty years. 



Mr. Paul continued to devote his time and ener- 
gies to agricultural ))ursuits in Pittsfield township 
up to the time of his death, which occurred De- 
cember 20, i8qr. He held several local offices 
in the township and t(5ok an active interest in polit- 
ical questions, being a stanch .supporter of the 
democracy. He was a man always fearless in 
defense of his honest convictions, reliable in his 
business relations and true to everx" trust reposed 
in him in any relation of life. During a long 
residence in the county, covering a period of fiftv- 
one years, he enjoyed in large measure the con- 
fidence, resi^ect and friendship of his fellowmen 
and his death was the occasion of deep and wide- 
spread regret. Following her husband's demise 
Mrs. Paul resided on the farm for a few vears 
and then rented the property to her son, wdio oc- 
cupied it mitil he removed to Ann Arljor. She 
also took up her abode in this city about the same 
time but she }-et owns the farm, which she rents. 
.She also has a nice home at No. 541 Packard 
street, where she resides. 



\ALFXTINE ARXULD. 

Among the German- American citizens of .-\nn 
.\rbor who, thrifty and reliable in business, are 
meeting with the success that alwa\s attends close 
application and earnest purpose, is numbered 
\ alentine Arnold, who was born in Pavaria, Ger- 
many, on the i8tli of February, 1863. His par- 
ents were Justus and Marie (Klinkenbeck) Ar- 
nold, both of wdioni are natives of Germany. The 
father is a shi.)eniaker by trade, and is now- living 
at Long Island City, New York. His wife, how- 
ever, departed this life in 1869. In the family 
were six children, of whom three are living: 
Rupert, who is residing in Germany ; Mackarius. 
who is with his father in New York ; and Val- 
entine. 

\'alentine Arnold spent the first nineteen years 
of his life in the land of his nativity, and in ac- 
cordance with the laws of his native country, ob- 
tained his education. He came to Ann .A.rbor in 
1902, and has since been a resident of this city. 
He is now engaged in the conduct of a large con- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



493 



trading and stone-cutting business under the fimi 
name of Feinkbeiner & Arnold. The firm are 
large contractors for all kinds of cut stone and 
flagging, and a liberal patronage is accorded 
them, their business having constantly increased 
as their straightforward methods and reliability 
have become known to the public. The large 
vards and buildings are located at 213 East Ann 
street, Ann Arbor. 

In 1893 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss So- 
phia Johanna Johansen, of Georgetown, Texas, 
and they have one son, \"alentine Peter, who at 
the age of twelve years is a student in the schools 
of Ann Arbor. Mr. Arnold has never had oc- 
casion to regret his determination to seek his for- 
tune in the middle west, for he found here favor- 
able business opportimities, and through the ex- 
ercise of his native talents, his energy and his 
close application he has gained a business which 
in extent and importance has made him one of the 
substantial residents of this city. While his life 
in many respects has been a quiet one, it is never- 
theless creditable to the city of his adoption, and 
his native land as well. Socially he is connected 
with the Sons of Herman, and in religious faith 
is a Catholic, while his political affiliations accord 
with the principles of democracy. 



WILLIAAI HEXRY MORTON. 

William Henry Morton, who owns and culti- 
vates forty-two acres of land within the corpora- 
tion limits of Ann Arbor, his home being at No. 
1413 Packard street, was born in Cambridge, 
Wisconsin, June 28, 1861. His father, William 
Morton, was a native of Ireland, born on the 
20th of March. 1812, and for some time he was 
a steward of the Northwestern Steamship Com- 
pany. He was also interested in real estate. He 
came to America in 181 5 and in 1865 removed 
to Ann Arbor to educate his children. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Eliza Crummer, 
was born in Rockdale, Pennsylvania, on the 4th 
of March, 1822, and died October 8, 1896, having 
survived him for several years, as he passed away 
on the 24th of October, 1883. 
29 



In the family of this worth)' couple were the 
following children: John \\'.. a well known prac- 
ticing physician of Ann Arbor for the past twen- 
ty-eight years, was graduated from the literary 
department of the University of ^Michigan with 
the class of 1872, and was graduated from Rush 
Medical College of Chicago with the class of 
1877. He was married in 1890 to Miss Cora A. 
Wetmore, of Concord, Michigan, and they have 
two sons. Willard Wetmore Morton, aged eight 
years, and Hobart Crummer ]^Iorton, aged five 
years. Edward, who was a partner of S. W. 
Beakes, in the ownership and publication of the 
Ann Arbor Argus, died in 1892. ]\Iaggie com- 
pleted the classical course in the Ann .\rbor high 
school and was graduated in 1877. She also 
graduated from the literary department of the 
University of Michigan in 1881, and afterward 
served as principal of the high schools of Tecum- 
seh, .\llegan and Ludington. She married Ed- 
ward Mitchell, of Ludington, and died in 1888, 
leaving one son, Latham Hudson Mitchell, who 
still resides in Ludington. Fred died in Ann Ar- 
bor, October 6, 1882. William Henry, of this 
review, completes the family. 

\\'illiam H. Morton was four years of age 
when brought by his parents to Ann .\rbor, and 
here he has since made his home. His education 
was acquired in the public schools, wherein he 
continued his studies until he had completed the 
high-school course. His attention is now given 
to farming and the real-estate business, and he 
owns and operates forty-two acres of land on 
Packard street. lie also deals in real estate and 
has negotiated a number of important property 
transfers. 

On the 27th of December, 1892, Mr, Morton 
was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Shadford, 
of .\nn Arbor, a daughter of John and Mary 
(Keedle) Shadford. Her father, a miller by oc- 
cupation, was born in England, and came to 
America in 1851. Her brothers and sisters are: 
Mrs. L. Beckler, of Ann Arbor; William, who 
is connected with the firm of Dean & Company, 
of Ann Arbor ; Mrs. Lucy Raymond, of Detroit ; 
and John and Lizzie, both residents of Ann Ar- 
bor. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have one son, Wil- 
liam S., born May 20, 1896. For fourteen years 



494 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Mrs. Morton was engaged in the millinery busi- 
ness on Washington street, and had a large 
patronage and was well known to the purchasing 
public. 

In his social affiliations Mr. Morton is a Knight 
of the Maccabees, and in religious connection is 
a member of the Methodist church. Having al- 
ways resided in this cit\- from the age of four 
years, he has a wide acquaintance, and the fact 
that many of his stanchest friends are those who 
have known him from boyhood to the present 
time, is an indication of his honorable and up- 
riijin life. 



JUDSOX \V. \\'lIi>:ELOCK. 

Judson W. Wheelock, following the occupatinn 
of farming on section 33, Pittsfield townshi]5. was 
born December 30. 185 1, in this township, where 
his parents located at an early day. His father 
was James I^. Wheelock, a native of New York, 
born in 1825, and a son of Rue Wheelock, who 
in pioneer times entered from the government a 
tract of land of eighty acres at P)ridgewater, Sa- 
line township, Washtenaw county. James L. 
Wheelock acquired a public-school education, and 
in 1838. when but thirteen years of age, started 
out in life on his own account, from which time 
he was dependent entirely ujiou his own re- 
sources. He arrived in Michigan in 1829, and as 
the years passed, became an enterprising and 
prosperous agriculturist of Washtenaw county, 
owning one hundred and tliirty acres of land, 
which was devoted to general agricultural pur- 
suits and stock-raising. In community affairs he 
was active and influential, and his political alle- 
giance was given to the whig party and afterward 
to the republican party. For sixteen years he 
filled the office of justice of the peace, his long 
continuance in the position beii'rg excellent evi- 
dence of his capability and inqiartiality in the dis- 
charge of his duties. His religious faith was that 
of the Baptist church, in which he long held mem- 
bership. He married Miss Irene J. Haynes, who 
was born in New York, and was a daughter of 
Anson Haynes, who became a shoemaker of Ann 
Arbor and spent his last days in that city. Unto 



Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock were born four children : 
Judson W. : Nettie J., now deceased ; Ettie M., 
died when thirty-six years of age. and Rosie J., 
who died at the age of twenty-three years. 

Judson W. Wheelock was reared to the occu- 
pation of farming and from an early age assisted 
in the cultivation of the old homestead, remaining 
thereon until twenty-three years of age. In 1875 
he was united in marriage to ]Miss Sarali Sud- 
daby, a native of Pittsfield township, and a daugh- 
ter of Isaac Suddaby, who was a farmer In' occu- 
pation, and came to Michigan from England in 
1856. Making his way at once to this state, he 
purchased eighty acres of land in York township, 
Washtenaw county, and thereafter devoted his 
attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-rais- 
ing. He had consideralale invested in stock as 
well as a good ca])ital in the bank at the time of 
his death, which occurred about i8q8. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Wheelock have been born two daugh- 
ters and two sons: Ora. now the wife of F. C. 
Hollis, of ]\Iilan. b\' whom she has two children: 
Dot I., born in t88i ; John I'.., born in 1887; and 
Ward S., born in 1893. 

Mr. Wheelock is the owner of forty acres of 
land, which he inherited from his grandfather, 
Samuel \\'alter Wheelock. and the deed has never 
been out of possession of a representative of the 
family name. His realty possessions altogether 
aggregate one hundred and fifty-seven acres in 
Pittsfield and York townships, and his farm is de- 
voted to the general raising of grain and stock. 
In his work he is quite energetic and industrious, 
and is therefore quite successful. He votes with 
the republican party, but has no desire for office. 



ERNEST REHBERG. 

Ernest Rehberg, the president and treasurer 
of the Ann .\rbor Brewing Company, is a na- 
tive son of Michigan, his birth having occurred 
in Detroit on the 30th of December, 1839. His 
parents were Louis and Henrietta Rehberg, na- 
tives of Prussia. Germany, who came to America 
in the year 1857. Both have passed away. They 
resided for some years in the citv of Detroit. In 




AIR. AXD MRS. J. W. \\-HEEr,OCK. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



497 



their family were fourteen children, nine of whom 
are yet living: Sophia, who is the widow of 
Amandas Hahn and lives in Detroit ; Erustina, 
the w'ife of Charles Meyer, of Detroit; Mrs. Ber- 
tha Munz, who is also a widow living in Detroit ; 
Louis, who is retired from active business life 
and makes his home in the same city; William, 
who is engaged in the livery business in Cali- 
fornia ; Ernest, of this review ; Frederick, living 
in Chicago ; Minnie, the wife of Rudolph Martin, 
of Detroit : and Augusta, of the same city. 

Ernest Rehberg acquired his education in the 
public schools of Detroit, and when he put aside 
his te.xt-books he entered the brewery owned by 
Jacob Mann in that city and there learned the 
trade, which he thoroughly mastered in principle 
and detail. He came to .\nn .Vrbor in 1884. as 
foreman of the Northern Brewery, and in 1892 
the .Ann .Arbor Brewing Company was organized, 
of which he is the president and treasurer, while 
H. Hardinghaus is vice president and secretary. 
They are manufacturers and bottlers of export 
and lager beer. Theirs is a fine plant, having a 
large capacity, and they manufacture a fine bottle 
beer, enjoying an extensive trade. Mr. Rehberg 
is not only the president and treasurer, but also 
the practical manager of the enterprise, and his 
through understanding of the business in every 
department enables him to carry it forward along 
practical, economical and successful lines. 

Tn 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Rehberg and Miss Sarah Dahlinger. of Detroit. 
and they have three children : Louis L. who is 
pursuing an engineering course in the L'niver- 
sity of Michigan: ( )lga and Carl, aged respec- 
tively fourteen and eleven vears. who are now 
students in the public schools here. 

Since coming to this city. Mr. Rehberg has 
been active in affairs of .Ann .Arbor, taking a 
helpful interest in progressive measures here, 
co-operating in many movements that have been 
of material benefit. In 1892 he was elected to 
the office of alderman of the fifth ward on the 
democratic ticket for a two years' term, and in 
that period he succeeded in securing the passage 
of very important measures of direct benefit to 
his ward. He belongs to the Zion Lutheran 
church, to which he contributes generouslw and 



he is a man popular with many friends. Of fine 
personal appearance, he has, moreover, a genial, 
cordial nature, which has gained him warm re- 
gard, while his business capacity and keen dis- 
cernment have been the strong elements in a suc- 
cessful career. 



CYRENUS G. D.\RLING. M. D. 

Dr. Cyrenus G. Darling, dean of the Dental 
College of the L'niversit\' of Michigan, and one 
of the professors in the state institution since 
1889, was born in Bethel, New York, in 1856, 
His father, Walter Darling, was also a native 
of that state and was a carpenter by trade, but 
devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural 
pursuits in New York. He married Eliza Starr, 
likewise a native of New York, and both have 
now passing away. In their family were the fol- 
lowing named : Cyrenus G. : .Annie E., who be- 
came Mrs. John Miller, of New York; and 
L'lvsses G.. who is a resident of Pittsfield town- 
ship, Washtenaw county. 

Dr. Darling acquired his early education in the 
public schools of Bethel, New York, and contin- 
ued his studies in Monticello Academy in that 
state. He came to Ann .Arbor in 1879, matricu- 
lating in the Cniversity of Alichigan, from which 
he was graduated in 1881 with the degree of 
M. D. He at once entered upon practice in this 
city and has remained to the present one of its 
most prominent representatives in the medical 
fraternity. The favorable judgment which the 
]niblic passed upon him at the outset of his ca- 
reer has in no degree been set aside or modified, 
but on the contrary has been strengthened as his 
intellectual force has grasped the possibilities of 
the profession and his experience has given him 
a proficiencv that classes him with the leading 
]ihysicians of the state. He was appointed in 
1889 assistant to the chair of surgery in the Uni- 
versity of ATichigan and has continuously been a 
teacher in its medical department since that year. 
He is now dean of the dental college. His pro- 
fessional memberships are with the .Ann .Arbor 
Medical College, the W'ashtenaw Aledical Societv, 



498 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the Michigan State Medical Society and the 
American Medical Association. 

Dr. Darlino; has also been a factor in public 
life in Ann Arbor, wielding' a wide inflnence in 
many matters pertaining to pnblic progress and 
improvement, and in the years of 1894 and 1895 
he was chief executive officer of the city. His 
political allegiance is given to the republican 
party. In 1884 he married Miss Augusta M. 
Pavne. of Michigan, and they have three children, 
Harold. Donald and Cyrenus G., aged respectively 
eighteen, nine and six years. 



REV. EDWARD D. KELLY. 

Rev. Edward D. Kelly, pastor of St. Thomas 
Catholic church at .\nn Arbor, was born upon a 
farm in A'an r>uren county, Michigan, December 
30, 1861. and is a son of Thomas and Mary 
( Hannan ) Kelly, both of whom were natives of 
Ireland. In early childhood they crossed the At- 
lantic to America and their marriage was cele- 
brated while they were living in the state of New 
York, .Soon afterward, however, they sought a 
home in the west, settling upon a farm in Van 
Buren county, Michigan, where the father de- 
voted his time and energies largely to stock rais- 
ing. He also jslaced his farm under a high state 
of cultivation and yet resides upon that place, 
which is now a well improved and productive 
propert\'. Unto him and his wife w ere liDrn eight 
children. 

Rev. Edward D. Kell\, of this review, the 
youngest of the family, entered the district schools 
at the usual age and pursued his studies through 
the winter seasons, while in the summer months 
he worked upon the home farm. His education 
was continued in St. .Mary's College at Cincinnati. 
Ohio, in which institution he matriculated in 1876. 
He spent three years there, after which he en- 
tered St. Charles College at Baltimore, Maryland, 
while his theological course was completed in St. 
Joseph's Provincial Seminars- at Trov. New 
York, being numbered among its alumni of the 
class of 1886. 



On taking hol\- orders Father Kelly was first 
assigned to a charge in Battle Creek, becoming 
the pastor of St. Phillip's church, where he 
labored for two years, when he was transferred 
to Monroe College as professor of English and 
Latin literature. On the death of Father Leavey, 
])resident of the college, the Rev. Father Kelly 
succeeded to the charge, remaining there until a 
jjastor was elected. Later Father Kelly was trans- 
ferred to St. loseph's church at Dexter, Michi- 
gan, where he remained for one year, and in June, 
i8(j[, he came to Ann Arbor to take charge of the 
present congregation, which comprises in his pa- 
rochial district over three hundred families. He 
was connected with the church at St. Thomas 
Parochial College. The building is a handsome 
structure erected in modern style of architecture. 
Immediately after being transferred to Ann Ar- 
bor P'ather Kelly built a temporary church to 
accommodate his large congregation. This build- 
ing is now known as St. Thomas hall and gym- 
nasium and also contains a large central heating- 
plant, finished in 1905. In 1899 ^^'^^ present 
beautiful stone church, a perfect classic, was com- 
pleted. It contains marble altars, mosaic floors 
and a Pilcher pipe organ, valued at seven thou- 
sand dollars. The church could not be duplicated 
to-day for less than one hundred thousand dollars. 
In 1903 Father Kelly also built a beautiful pa- 
rochial residence which stands between the church 
and the school. .St. Thomas school has been 
affiliated with the uni\-ersity ever since P'ather 
Kell}'s time and St. Thomas Constrvatorv, the 
largest school of nnisic at Ann Arlior, is also un- 
der his sunervision. 



CASSRIS M. A\"\RXF,R. 

Cassius M. Warner, deput\- sheriff of ^^^^sllte- 
naw county, was born in Ann Arbor, November 
10, i860. His ]:)aternal grandfather, Reuben War- 
ner, was a native of New York, and on coming 
to Michigan, settled in Milan township, Monroe 
county, casting in his lot with those who re- 
claimed a frontier district for the purpose of civ- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



499 



ilization. He there followed farmino- f(ir many 
years, dying- in Milan township, at the age of 
fifty-six years. His wife bore the maiden name 
of Ann Tyler, and was born in Onondaga coimty. 
New York, while her death occurred upon the 
homestead farm in jMonroe county, when she was 
sixty-eight years of age. They were the parents 
of six children, of whom Henry Warner was the 
eldest, and five of the family are living, the others 
being: .\nn Martha, a resident of Wisconsin; 
Rocilla, who is living in Barry county, Michigan ; 
Jane, of Canada ; and Isaac, also of Barry county. 
One son. Daniel, served for three years in a Mich- 
igan regiment during the Civil war, and died sub- 
sequent to the close of liostilities at Dundee, 
Michigan. 

Henrv Warner, who was horn in ( )nondaga 
county. Xew York, arrived in this state in 1854. 
taking up his abode in Ypsilanti. He was a car- 
jK-nter b\- trade an<l later Ix'came a contractor, 
and he is still living in Ypsilanti, where for many 
years he has been connected with building ojjcra- 
tions. He was born July 4, 18.23. an<l after ar- 
riving" at years of maturity, he wedded Mary 
Burns, a native of Ohio, who died December 19, 
1898, at the age of seventy-three years. They 
had two children, but Cassius ^f. is the only sur- 
vivor. 

In the schools of Ypsilanti, Cassius M. Warner 
acquired his education, after his parents' re- 
moval to that city, when he was only a year old. 
He learned the carpenter's trade under the di- 
rection of his father, and followed that pursuit 
for seventeen years, first as a journeyman and 
afterward as a contractor. In i8t)4 he was ap- 
pointed policeman of Ypsilanti. and two years 
after was made chief of ]:)olice. and during that 
])eriod he likewise served for f(.>ur wars as dep- 
uty sheriff under Sheritif Judson. He was con- 
nected with the police force of Y])silanti alto- 
gether for seven years and eight months, and 
on the 1st of January. 1905. he became de])utv 
sheriff under I'rank T. .Vewton of this countv. 
lie has always been a stalwart advocate of re- 
publican ])rinciples. taking an active interest in 
the growth and success of his part v. and is known 
as one of its leading workers in Washtenaw 
countv. 



C)n the 7th of November, 1882, in Ypsilanti, 
Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Ber- 
tha Brown, wdio was born in Detroit, but spent 
the greater part of her girlhood in the forrner 
city, to which she removed with her father, 
Charles Brown. There has been one child born 
of this marriage, Anna, who was born in Ypsi- 
lanti. .\ugust II, 1884. Mr. Warner and his 
family still make their home there, although his 
business duties require that he spend considerable 
time in Ann Arh<ir. 



J. F. REXTSCHLER. 

I. F. Rentschler, conducting a fine photo- 
graphic studio in .\nn .\rbor. is one of the native 
sons of this citv. his birth having occurred here 
on the 3d of June, i8fi8. His parents were 
George Frederick and Christina ( Guenther) Rent- 
schler, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, whence 
they came t(.i .\nn .\rbor in the earl\- '60s. The 
father was a well-to-do merchant, successfully 
c;uT\ing on business here for a number of years 
and the family have always bten prominent in 
social circles of the city. I'nto the parents were 
born five children. 

At the usual age J. F. Rentschler began his 
education in the public schools of Ann Arbor. 
When his school life was ended he established a 
photographic studio at the corner of ^Main and 
Huron streets in .\nn Arbor and entered u]ion a 
business career which has made him second to 
none as a representative of tliL i)liotographic art 
in this city, while the quality of his work gives 
him et|ual rank with photographer.'-- throughout 
this part of the state. His patronage, too. is of 
extensive proportions and recently he has removed 
to new quarters, where he occupies an entire 
building erected especially for a studiii untler his 
immediate supervision. It is located at Xo. 319 
Huron street, east, and is one of the best lighted 
studios in the country. There are large and spa- 
cious offices' and reception roon-is adorned with 
man\- good specimens of his work. He has the 
highest appreciation for form and color, light and 
shade, and understands as well all of the median- 



500 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



ical processes of the art, including the latest im- 
provements known to photography. He keeps in 
touch with all modern ideas concerning his chosen 
vocation and his work gives him high rank among 
the leading photographic artists of the state. He 
is a man of ambitious nature, of strong and lauda- 
ble purpose, and could never content himself with 
mediocrity and thus he has worked continuously 
along progressive lines. 

In 1898 Mr. Rentschler was married to Miss 
Jessie Doane, a native of Dexter, Washtenaw 
county, and the)- have two beautiful children, Ed- 
win and Freda, aged five and three years respect- 
ively. Mr. Rentschler is a chapter Mason and 
is also identified with the Knights of the Macca- 
bees. He is likewise president of the Ohio Michi- 
gan Photographers Association and is a member 
of the Photographers .\ssociation of America. 



SID W. MILLARD. 



Sid W . Millard, proprietor of a large job 
printing establishment in Ann Arlior. was born 
in Detroit, Michigan, on the 30th of March, 1862, 
and is a son of Edwin and Elizabeth ( Butler) 
Millard, both of whom were natives of O.xford, 
England. The father was a contractor in carpen- 
tering and house building, and on coming to 
America, resided for two years in Detroit, Alich- 
igan, after which he removed to Ann Arbor. Both 
he and his wife were members of the Episcopa- 
lian church, Mrs. Millard died in June, 1903. 
In their family were two sons : .Sid \V. and .\1- 
fred J., the latter connected with the metal works 
of Detroit. 

Sid W. Millard pursued his education in the 
schools of .\nn .\rbor and afterward learned the 
printer's trade with R. A. Ileal on the .\nn .\rbor 
Courier. Subsequently he worked in Detroit for 
a time, after which he returned to this city, and 
for seven years Iiad charge of the press room of 
the Register. In 1892 he embarked in business 
for himself on Main street, opening a general 
job printing establishment, and for nine vears he 
has been at his present location, where he has 
an excellent job printing office on the ground 



floor, supplied with modern machinery and turn- 
ing out first class work. 

Mr. Millard was married in 1888 to Miss So- 
phia M. Walz, of .'\.nn Arbor. He is well known 
in fraternal circles, and is now eminent com- 
mander of the Knights Templar commandery. 
No. 13, of .'\nn .Arbor. He is likewise pastmaster 
of Golden Rule lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M,; 
scribe of Washtenaw chapter, No. 6, R. A. M, ; 
L^nion council. No. 11, R. S. M. ; and Moslem 
Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Detroit. He is 
also past commander of .\rbor tent, K. O. T. 
M., which he joined on its organization ; is a 
charter member of the Alodern Woodmen camp, 
and a menil)er of the Knights of Pythias fra- 
ternity. His activity in community affairs ex- 
tends to military and political circles. He is a 
democrat, who for two terms has served as super- 
visor of the second ward, and has been a member 
of the board of fire commissioners for eight 
years. He also belongs to Companv I of the 
civil board, is captain of Company .\ of the Mich- 
igan National Cuard. and major of the First 
Regiment. His activitx' in \-arii}Us lines has 
brought him a wide acquaintance, while his per- 
sonal characteristics have made him a popular 
citizen of Ann Arbor. 



FREDERICK C. HORNING. 

Frederick C. Horning, deceased, was the first 
German child brought into Washtenaw county, 
and reared to manhood here he eventually became 
actively interested in farming pursuits and at 
the time of his death was a prosperous agricultur- 
ist of the locality in which he had so long re- 
sided. He was I)orn in Germany, September 
21, 1829, his parents being Charles Frederick 
and Catherine Horning, both of whom were na- 
tives of the fatherland, whence they came to 
.\nierica in 1830. They did not tarry on the 
.\tlantic coast but made their way at once into 
the interior of the countrv and took up their 
abode in Freedom townshi]), this county, being 
among the pioneer settlers here. The father pur- 
chased land from the government and cleared 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



501 



-3. small farm, while eventually he became the 
■owner of a large and valuable tract of land in the 
.same township, carrying on agricultural inter- 
ests up to the time of his death, lioth he and his 
wife died in that locality and their loss was deeply 
deplored bv many friends for they had become 
recognized as worthy citizens of their community, 
Mr. Horning being held in high esteem Ijecause 
■of his business success and his many excellent 
personal traits of character. 

Frederick C. Horning of this review W'-as 
reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life and 
the environments common on the frontier. He 
acquired his education in the public schools of 
Freedom township and studied both English and 
Gemian. \\'lien not occupied with the duties of 
the sclioolroom he aided his father in the labors 
of the home farm and subsequently he purchased 
a threshing machine, which he operated in 
various parts of the county, doing all kinds of 
threshing. For ten years he followed that busi- 
ness and then with the profits he had acquired 
he purchased a tract of land in Pittsfield town- 
ship and began farming on his own account. 

While lixing in I'Veedom township Mr. Horn- 
ing was uniterl in marriage to Miss Barbara 
Cook, a native of that locality, born ( tctober 3, 
1839. She was the first white child born in 
this count}', her parents being John George and 
Catherine Cook, who were natives of Germany, 
the former born on the 4th of July, 1813, and the 
latter on the 2d of February, 1816. Thev emi- 
grated to America in 183 1 and landed in New 
Tork city, whence they made their way to 
BuiTalo and on to Cleveland. As the father's 
supply of money gave out at that point he had 
to leave his family there while he came on bv 
wagon to Washtenaw county, arriving here (in 
the 19th of .\pril. 1831. He then borrowed the 
money to send for his family and he took up his 
abode upon a small farm of fortv acres. It was 
•covered with timber but he at once began to clear 
away the trees and brush and in due time the 
land was ready for cultivation. He jnirchased 
a yoke of o.xen and built a log house. .-Xt one 
■end of the room was an immense fireplace with 
a spacious chimney and over this fire the cook- 
ing was done. His wife wciuld walk to market 



at Ann Arbor, a distance of seventeen miles, in 
order to dispose of butter ami eggs and other 
farm products and buy the necessary sup|)lies for 
the family. Hardships and privations were borne 
in those early days but eventually prosperity 
crowned the efiforts of the familv. who in the 
course of years purchased another farm of one 
hundred and si.xty acres in Freedom township. 
A few years later Mr. Cook removed to Lodi 
towaiship. where he owned several farms, his 
landed possessions aggregating over four hun- 
dred acres. Here he lived for seven years and 
then removed to Pittsfield township, where he 
purchased a large farm, making his home thereon 
for six years. On the expiration of that period 
he took up his abode in Ann .\rbor, where he 
lived retired until his death, enjoying a rest 
which he had truly earned and richly deserved. 
He was a man of marked industry and enter- 
prise in his business affairs and his prosperitv re- 
sulted entirely from his own well directed efiforts 
for he came to .America empty-handed but 
eventually became one of the substantial residents 
of Washtenaw county. He passed away August 
7. 1902, at the very advanced age of eight\--nine 
years, while his wife died in Xovemlier, 1900. 
at the age of eighty-four years. 

^tr. and Mrs. Horning became the parents 
of six children : Martha, now the wife of Julius 
Bliss, of Lodi township ; Samuel, who married 
-\nna Heinzelman and lives on the old Cook 
farm in Pittsfield township, that he purchased 
from his mother: Lydia, the wife of Alfred Sites, 
of Lodi township; Emma, the wife of E. T. 
.Alber, who is living at .St. James Hotel in .\nn 
Arbor: Mary, the deceased wife of Charles Bliss; 
and Nathan, who married Katie Roth and also 
lives in Ann .Arlxir, where he and his brother-in- 
law, Mr. .\lber, conduct the St. James Hotel. 

Following his marriage Mr. Horning con- 
tinued to carry on general farming in Pittsfield 
townshii) and was thus closely associated with 
agricultural interests uji t" the time of his death, 
which occurred on the 17th of December, 1884. 
In all his work he was practical, realizing how 
to use his adxantages in the best possible way and 
so improving his opportunities that he gradually 
advanced on the high road to prosjieritx' and 



--,02 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



at his death left an excellent property. In politics 
he was a democrat, while Mr. Cook was a re- 
publican in his political affiliation. Both were 
gentlemen of genuine personal worth and no 
history would be complete without mention of 
them because of their close identification with 
pioneer life and the agricultural progress of the 
count}-. Mrs. Horning is a member of the Zion 
Lutheran church of Ann Arbor. Following her 
husband's death she sold the farm to her son 
and removed to this city, where she has since 
lived, owning a nice brick residence at No. 525 
South First street. She has a nephew residing 
with her, William Horning, a painter by trade, 
who is now twenty-seven years of age. She has 
in her possession a very interesting family relic. 
a record of the Cook family and also of Washte- 
naw county prepared by her father when he first 
came to this county in 183 1. It is a document 
of considerable historic value. Few people are 
so closely connected with two prominent families 
as Mrs. Horning, who was the first white child 
born in this county, while her husband was the 
first Cerman ciiild brought to the county. In her 
memory are many pictures of frontier scenes and 
pioneer experiences and she can relate many 
interesting reminiscences of the early days when 
the work of improvement and progress seemed 
scarcely begun here, when the land was untilled, 
the forests uncut and the rivers unhridged. 
Great changes liave occurred and in the agri- 
cultural progress of this part of the state the 
Horning and Cook families have taken a most 
active nnd hclpfid ]:)art. 



GEORGE II. MILLER. 

George II. Miller is proprietor of a large shoe 
store in Ann Arbor and with a constantly grow- 
ing business has made his way to a foremost posi- 
tion in mercantile circles here. He is one of the 
native sons of the city, having been born in the 
fourth ward on the 28th of December, 1859, his 
l)arents being (jeorge and Dorothea (Katz) 
.Miller. The father was a native of Hesse Darm- 
Madt, Germanw where he was reared and edu- 



cated. He left Germany, March 13, 1851, and 
landed in New York on the 3d of May. 

Coming to .\nn .\rbor he engaged in business 
as a manufacturer of pumps and the enterprise 
which he established is still carried on by a mem- 
ber of the familx'. He died in the year 1901 after 
long and active connection with industrial inter- 
ests, during which time his labors proved not onlv 
of benefit to himself but also aided in |>r(im()ting 
the general prosperity of the city. He had for a 
number of years survived his wife, who passed 
away in 1878. They were married December 4. 
1856, and became the parents of seven children, 
of whom four are living: William J., who is now 
a mail carrier in Ann .Vrljor and was at one time 
alderman from the fourth ward ; ( ieorge H. : Mrs. 
Carrie Wenk : and Emma, both of whom are liv- 
ing in .\nn .Xrbor. 

George 1 1. Miller pursued his education in the 
grammar and high schools of .\nn Arbor and 
after |)utting aside his text-books to enter upon 
his business career secured employment in the 
store of Rinsey & Seabolt, grocers, with whom 
he was connected for sixteen years. In that time 
he steadily worked his way upward, his fidelity, 
close application and capability winning hitn suc- 
cessive ]iromotions. He became fairl\- familiar 
with the trade and in 1892 he embarked in busi- 
ness on his own account as a shoe merchant in 
connectinn with Mr. W'ahr under the firm style of 
\\'ahr & Miller. That relation was maintained 
for a time but eventually Mr. Miller withdrew 
and in IQOO began business alone at No. 212 
South Alain street, where he opened a fine shoe 
store, c^rr\-ing a large and well selected line ot 
men's and ladies' shoes, rubbers, boots, etc. Frcjni 
the Ijeuimiing he lias enjoyed a good patronage 
and nian\' of his customers have given him their 
business siip])ort since he started out for himself. 
Fie is always conscientious and earnest in his de- 
sire to please, is reasonable in his prices and 
proin])t in filling orders and thus he has gradually 
fleveloped an excellent business. 

In 1889 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to 
Miss AIar\- N. Katz, of .\mi .Vrbor. and they have 
a daughter, Ruth D., now a school girl of fifteen 
summers. They also lost a daughter, Esther N.. 
who was born June 25, 1893, and died June 2T,. 











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GEORGE H. MILLER. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



505 



1897. Mr. Miller has fraternal relations with 
Otseningo lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., in which he 
has filled all of the chairs, being treasurer at the 
present time. He also belongs to the encampment, 
has occupied all of its offices and is now its treas- 
urer, and he is thoroughly in sympathy with the 
purposes of Odd Fellowship and also with the 
tenets and teachings of Mascinry, belonging to 
Golden Rule lodge, No. 159, A. F. & .\. M. He 
likewise affiliates with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. He is a man of fine personal 
appearance, of genial nature, and has a host of 
warm friends who esteem him highly because of 
his atfability, kindly spirit and deference for the 
opinions of others. 



C. A. SAUER. 



C. .\. .Saner is the senior menilier of the firm 
of C. .\. Sauer & Company, manufacturers of 
lumber, building materials and architectural 
work, in which connection he has contributed to 
the commercial and industrial prosperity of the 
city, in which he resides. A native of Canada, 
he was born in 1867, and when six years of age 
was brought bv his parents. Adam and Ann 
(Schank) Sauer, both of whom were natives of 
Germany. After living for some time in the Do- 
minion they made their way in 1873 to this state, 
settling in Saline township, Washtenaw county, 
where the father has since followed carpentering. 
Unto him and his wife were born five children, 
all of whom are living: Barbara, C. A., Kate, 
Adam and John. 

C. A. Sauer pursued his education in the pub- 
lic schools at Saline, and in his youth learned 
the carpenter's trade with his father, becoming 
familiar with the business both in principle and 
detail, and he gained considerable skill in that 
line. He afterward came to Ann Arbor, where 
he followed his trade on his own account for two 
years, but before starting in business for himself, 
he was for two years in the service of George 
Scott, an architect, whom he represented as 
draughtsman. He then began general contract- 
ing and building, which he continued for twelve 



years, a liberal patronage being accorded him. He 
entered upon his varied duties with admirable 
equipment because of his thorough training under 
his father : his excellent workmanship, fidelity to 
the terms of contract and straightforward dealing 
securing him a constantly growing patronage. 
W'hen twelve years had passed he was joined by 
his brothers, Adam and John, in the organization 
of the lumber firm of C. A. Sauer & Com- 
pany, and they are now engaged in the manufac- 
ture of all kinds of lumber, building materials, 
supplies and architectural work. They have a 
well equipped planing mill in connection with the 
lumber plant, and are doing an extensive business, 
their patronage having continually grown in grat- 
ifying manner since the organization of the firm 
in 1899. 

Mr. Sauer was married in 1892 in Saline town- 
ship, to Miss Julia Koch, a native of Pittsfield 
township, Washtenaw county, and a daughter of 
John Koch. Their marriage has been blessed 
with four children; Nola, Karl, Laura and 
Waldo. Throughout almost his entire life Mr. 
Sauer has remained in this county, and has made 
for himself an enviable position in business cir- 
cles. He has always been identified with building 
or manufacturing interests, and is thoroughly 
conversant upon everything connected with the 
builder's trade. He has been watchful of every 
indication pointing to success, and since the es- 
tablishment of the present lumber firm, has pro- 
moted its interests along modern lines that have 
resulted in its permanent and substantial growth. 



CHARLES B. DAVISON. 

Charles B. Davison, holding creditable position 
in military, fraternal and business circles, has 
for many years been a resident of Ann Arbor. He 
was born in Akron, Ohio, July 13. 1841. and is 
a representative of an old New England family 
that was founded in America in early colonial 
days, and sent forth thus some of its men to serve 
in the colonial army during the Revolutionary 
war. His paternal great-grandfather was Colo- 
nel Daniel Davison, one of the "Green Mountain 



5o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Boys," who commanded a regiment of colonial 
troops and served throughout the Revolutionary 
war, while the grandfather, Henry Davison, at 
the age of sixteen, was present at the surrender 
of General Burgoyne. Lyman Davison, the fa- 
ther of Charles B. Davison, was a native of Ver- 
mont, and in early life removed from New Eng- 
land to Ohio, whence he afterward came to Mich- 
igan, casting in his lot witli the pioneer settlers 
of Lenawee county. He was the promoter of 
business and public interests in the county at an 
early day, and for a Cjuarter of a century was a 
car builder in the employ of the Lake Shore & 
Michigan Southern Railroad Company. His last 
days were spent in the home of his son Charles in 
Ann Arbor, where he departed this life in 1894, 
at the very advanced age of eighty-six years and 
eight months. He married Miss Emily Childs : 
they became the parents of eight children, but 
Charles B. is the only one now living at this writ- 
ing in 1905. 

Brought to Michigan in his early boyhood 
davs, Charles B. Davison pursued his education 
in the schools of Lewanee county. He watched 
with interest the progress of events in the south. 
noted the threatening attitude of the southern 
states when the cjuestion of the dissolution of the 
Union was discussed, and resolved that if a blow 
was struck for its overthrow he would strike one 
in its defense. He made a creditable military rec- 
ord, enlisting in 1861 as a member of the Twen- 
tv-second Ohio Battery of Light .Artillery. \\'ith 
that command he held the rank of sergeant, and 
later he was transferred to the Eighty-sixth Ohio 
Infantry, with which he also served as sergeant. 
During his early army life he was with the troops 
in Missouri and was captured in 1861 at Lexing- 
ton, that state, when Colonel Mulligan, of the 
Irish Brigade, surrendered to General Price. Sub- 
sequentlv he participated in the battles of Shiloh, 
Pittsburg Landing and other notable engage- 
ments of the war, and he remained with his com- 
mand until mustered out. He was always a loyal 
soldier, displaying his valor on various fields of 
battle, and his military record is one of which 
he has every reason to be proud. He now makes 
his home in .A.nn Arbor. His connection with the 
Richmond & Backus Company has continued for 



thirty-si.x years and he is now in charge of the 
stock and is also general superintendent of the 
press rooms. No higher testimonial of his capa- 
bility, efficiency and fidelity could be given than 
the fact that he has been so long maintained in the 
service of one house. 

On Christmas day of 1867 Mr. Davison was 
imited in marriage to Miss Sarah L. Rees, of Ann 
.\rbor. and they have two children: Jennie M., 
who died while a member of the sophomore class 
of the L'niversity of Michigan in 1892; and Nina 
M.. who is living with her father in Ann Arbor. 

Mr. Davison has taken a very active and help- 
ful interest in public afifairs in this city, co-operat- 
ing in many measures that have contributed to 
the general good. In 1877-8 he was chief en- 
gineer of the fire department of .\nn .\rbor. In 
Masonic circles he has attained high rank and 
there are few offices within the gift of the frater- 
nity that have not been conferred upon him. He 
was made a Master Mason in Fraternity lodge. 
No. 262, -\. F. & A. M„ April 25, 1877, and from 
1878 until 1880 inclusive served as senior deacon, 
while in 1S82 he was senior warden and in 1891 
was junior warden and again in i8<)4 was chosen 
senior warden. In 188,^, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892 
he was worshipful master, all of which indicates 
that his official service was continuous from the 
time of jiis mitiation into the lodge until his retire- 
ment from the position of worshipful master. He 
was also junior grand warden of the grand lodge 
of ^Michigan in 1891 and on the 8th of Alarch, 
1888, he attained the thirty-second degree of the 
Scottish rite in Ann.\rbor consistory, while on the 
27th of October, 1892, he crossed the sands of the 
desert with the Nobles of ^Moslem Temple of the 
Mystic Shrine. On the 17th of October, 1898, he 
took the degrees of Capitular ]\Iasonry in Wash- 
tenaw chapter. No. 7, R. A. M., and in November, 
i8c)8. attained the degrees of Chivalric ]\Iasonry 
in Ann ,\rbor commandery. No. 13, K. T. His 
home is located at No. 307 Main street, north, 
adjoining the Richmond & Backus plant, so that 
he is conveniently situated near his work. He is 
a man of marked energy, of strong purpose, of 
unquestioned fidelity to every trust reposed in 
him. Character shows in every line of his face 
and there is no citizen of .\nn .\rbor who enjoys 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



507 



in greater measure tlie esteem and cuntidence <>t 
those with whom he is ass<iciated. His genuine 
worth and fidehty to principle have gained him 
high standing in pubHc regard. 



HORACE EDWARD SHUTTS. 

Horace Edward Shutts. proprietor of the Oc- 
cidental Hotel, the leading hostelry of Ypsilanti, 
is a native son of Michigan, his birth having oc- 
curred in Plymouth on the 20th of September, 
1855. His father, Martinus L. Shutts, was a 
farmer by occupation. He married a Miss 
George and removed with his family to Ypsi- 
lanti during the infancy of his son Horace. The 
father, however, has now passed away. 

At the usual age Horace Edward Shutts 
entered the public schools of Ypsilanti and ac- 
quired a good practical education. He has been 
engaged in various business enterprises in De- 
troit, Chicago and other cities and is now pro- 
prietor of the Occidental Hotel, which he has 
managed for the past three years. This is the 
leading hotel of Ypsilanti, located at Xos. 16 to 
24 North Huron street and in connection there- 
with he conducts a first class billiard hall and 
bowling alleys. There is probably no better cri- 
terion of the growing and prosperous condition 
of a town or city than its hotel interests. The 
town which is self-centered, having" no connec- 
tion with the outside world, is unprogressive, its 
business stagnates and its residents become lack- 
ing in enterprise, but if connected with outside 
affairs, travel and trade add new life and energy 
and there is demand for entertainment on the 
part of the visitors which makes good hotels a 
necessity. A little thoughtful consideration of 
the career of Mr. Shutts brings one to the con- 
clusion that he has in most of his business oper- 
ations been impelled by the spirit of the pioneer, 
having; sought out new plans and new condi- 
tions n^ely to favor his projects. He has made 
of the Occidental Hotel one of the best establish- 
ments of the kind in this part of the state. It is 
a fortv-room house, centrallv located, and its 



cuisine and other appointments furnish the best 
service possible. 

Mr. Shutts was married to Miss Nellie M. 
Moorman, of Ypsilanti, and unto them have been 
born four children : Carl, nineteen years of age, 
who is engaged in busines in Salt Lake City ; 
Genevieve, who at the age of seventeen, is at- 
tending school at Ypsilanti : Don, fifteen years 
of age, and Helen, thirteen years of age, also 
attending school. Mr. Shutts is a member of the 
uniformed rank of the Knights of Pythias and 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the 
conduct of a well managed house he shows that 
he is a model landlord, giving due attention to 
the wishes and comforts of his guests. More- 
over a cordial manner and genial disposition ren- 
der him personally pf)|iular with his many 
patrons. 



PROFESSOR ALDRED SCOTT WARTHIN, 
M. D. 

Professor Aldred Scott Warthin, AI. D., sci- 
entist and educator, a son of E. M. Warthin, was 
born in (ireensburg, Indiana, October 21, 1866, 
and his preliminary education was completed by 
graduation from the high school of his native 
town with the class of 1884. His attention was 
afterward given to the study of music and he re- 
ceived a teacher's music diploma from the Cincin- 
nati Conservatory of Music in 1887. He is a grad- 
uate of the University of Indiana with the class of 
1888: won the Master's degree from the Univer- 
sity of Michigan in 1890 and that of Doctor of 
Philosophy in 1893. In the meantime he had pur- 
sued a course of medicine in the University of 
Michigan and won his M. D. degree in 1891, since 
which time he has taken post-graduate work in 
\'ienna and Freiburg. His research and investiga- 
tion along various scientific lines has been continu- 
ous and since 1891 he has been teaching in the 
medical department of the Universitv of Michi- 
gan, as assistant of internal medicine in 1891-2; 
demonstrator of internal medicine in 1892-5 ; dem- 
onstrator of pathology in 1896 ; instructor in path- 
ology in 1897 ^''"^' 1898; his bibliography includes 
the practical pathologv in t8o'^ : his work as a 



5o8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



teacher and translator of Ziegler's general pathol- 
ogy in 1903 ; the second edition of Reference 
Handbook of the Medical Sciences and over one 
hundred papers, on original investigation in path- 
ology, especially in the normal and pathological 
anatomy of the haemolyniphnodes and of the 
anemias. In 1904 he was made professor of 
pathology and director of the pathological labora- 
tory in the department of medicine and surgery 
in the University of Michigan and he is a member 
of the Association of American Physicians, of the 
American Association of Anatomy, Association 
of American Pathologists and Bacteriologists, 
also the Society of the Study and Prevention of 
Tuberculosis, the Society of Experimental Medi- 
cine, the jNIichigan State and ^^'ashtenaw County 
Associations, and also the American Medical As- 
sociation. 

Professor Warthin was married, in Chicago, 
June 27, 1900, to Dr. Katharine Angell. and they 
have two children, Margaret and Aldred Scott. 
Jr. They now reside at 1020 Ferdon Road, Ann 
Arbor, Michigan. 



ELMER L. WHITMAN. D. D. S. 

Dr. Elmer L. Whitman, a practitioner of 
dentistry for two years in Ann Arbor and for 
the same period instructor in prosthetic technics 
in the University of Michigan, was born in Port- 
land, 'Michigan, on the 28th of March, 1880. His 
father, Charles H. Whitman, was bom in Ohio 
and in his boyhood days went to Michigan, 
settling upon a farm near Portland. At the 
present w-riting his attention is given to me- 
chanics. He married Miss Josephine Andrews, 
a native of the state of New York, and they be- 
came the parents of three children, of whom 
two are living, Elmer L. and Harold C, a youth 
of fourteen years who is now attending school. 
The other son, Louis H., died in childhood. 

Dr. Whitman, reared under the parental roof, 
pur.sued his education in the schools of Owosso 
and Corunna, Michigan, being graduated from 
the high school in the latter place in the class of 
1899. Determining in that year upon a life work 
in the fall of 1899 he matriculated in the Uni- 



versity of Michigan as a dental student and while 
pursuing his course there added to his theoretical 
knowledge the practical experience gained while 
serving as assistant to Dr. Hoff in 1902-3-4. He 
was graduated from the dental department in 
the class of 1904 and for two years has been 
engaged in active practice in Ann Arbor, where 
he now has a beautiful suite of rooms at No. 711 
North University avenue, splendidly equipped 
with all modern dental appliances for the careful 
and successful prosecution of his work. He is 
thoroughly conversant with modern methods and 
in no profession has there been such rapid ad- 
vancement made in the last few years as in the 
practice of dentistry. A very liberal patronage 
is accorded him, his work giving satisfactory re- 
sults and he has deep and keen interest in his 
chosen calling both from a love of scientific re- 
search and also liv reason of a laudable ambition 
which stimulates his efforts m the act|uirement 
of success. In addition to his private practice he 
has for the past two years been instructor in- 
prosthetic technics in the University of Michi- 
gan. 

Dr. Whitman was married, in Jime, 1905, to 
Miss Dora M. Hamilton, of Corunna, Michigan, 
and during their residence in Ann Arbor they 
have gained considerable social prominence. He 
is a gentleman of magnetic personality, stand- 
ing as a high type of his profession in this age 
characterized by intellectual progress and de- 
manding a high measure of proficiency. He is 
a member of the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity 
of the University of Michigan and since the com- 
pletion of his collegiate course has gained popu- 
larity in both professional and social circles. 



WILLIAM BLISS JOLLY. 

\\'illiam Bliss Jolly, deceased, became a lead- 
ing business man of Ann Arbor in pioneer days 
and figured prominently in public life of the city 
not only because of his commercial activity but 
also because of the many excellent traits of char- 
acter that have endeared him to those with whom 
he has been associated. He was born in London, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTW 



509 



I'jis^laiid. on tlK- 29th of ( )ctolKr. 1.S14, iiiid was 
married in that country on the nth of August, 
1849, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Judson. \\'ith his 
wife and two daughters, Mary and Elizaljcth, 
he took passage on the sailing vessel Fillmore in 
1855 and crossed the Atlantic to the I'nited 
States, making his way direct to Ann Arbor. 
In England he had engaged in the business of 
buying sheep and cattle as a wholesale dealer. 
Subsequent to his arrival in this city he spent 
some years in the University of Michigan and 
then turned his attention to private business in- 
terests, opening a meat market in 1864. His 
wife, who was born in Fenstanton, Huntington. 
England, February 10, 1827, was to him long 
a faithful and helpful companion on life's jour- 
ney. Mr. Jolly passed away on the 16th of 
August, 1878, while his wife departed this life 
on the 20th of March, iqoi. lloth were mem- 
bers of the Episcopal church and Airs. J 1 illy took 
a very deep and helpful part in church work 
and was a most earnest student of the ISible. 
Mr. Joll>' gave his political allegiance to the re- 
publican party, liut was without aspiration for 
office. He was a man of large heart and readv 
sympathy, always willing to assist those in trou- 
ble, and the poor and needy found in him a friend. 
He was greatly beloved by the students of the 
university and the members of the faculty as 
well, and in his home he was a model husband 
and father. His life exemplified mau\- sterling- 
traits of character and he was honored wherever 
known. 

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William U. 
Jolly were nine children, of whom six are liv- 
ing: Mary, the eldest, was married April 24, 
1879, to George T. Mowerson, a farmer of Ann 
Arbor township, who owns a fine and well de- 
veloped tract of land. Mrs. Mowerson is a verv 
active and earnest Christian woman who spends 
much time in charitable work. She is a member 
of the Homeopathic Guild, a society of ladies 
organized to visit the sick in the hospitals. She 
has had three children but lost one son, Donald 
Jolly, who was born March 6, 1882, and died 
March 15, 1898, just after attaining his sixteenth 
birthday. He was a splendid boy of high prin- 
ciples, who endeared himself to all who knew 
30 



him, and his death was the occasion of deep 
and widespread regret. His remains were in- 
terred in the Forest Hill cemetery, the members 
of his class in school acting as pallbearers. Those 
living are Edward William, twentv-two vears 
of age, now on the farm with his father ; and 
Airs. Fannie May Crick, of Jamestown, New 
York. Elizabeth, the second child of Mr, and 
Mrs. Jolly, became the wife of Dr. Johnson, of 
Harvard, Illinois. William is living in Ann 
.Arbor. Jennie is the wife of Dr. Cleveland, of 
Chicago. Richard !•'. is the next in the family. 
Fred makes his home in Ann Arbor. 

Richard E. Jollv, liorn in .\nn Arbor, Febru- 
ar}- 2. 1864, was a student in the public schools 
of this city and passed through successive grades, 
bin was compelled to discontinue his school life 
on account of his father's death. He had suc- 
cessfully passed the examination entitling him 
to promotion into the ilental department of the 
University of Michigan but his plans were con- 
sequently changed. Finding it necessary that he 
provide for his own support, he entered the em- 
ploy of John V. Sheehan, proprietor of a book 
store, for wdiom he became manager. Subse- 
quentl}' he conducted the book store oi .\ndrews 
& Company for three years and about fifteen years 
ago he entered business on his own account and 
has the largest trade of the kind among the 
students of the University of Michigan, conduct- 
ing a restaurant, cigar and tobacco store. A 
liberal patronage is accorded him because of his 
earnest desire to please his patrons and the ex- 
cellent service which he renders to the public. 
He is a man of excellent business judgment, 
enterprising, discriminating and energetic, and 
his success is the legitimate outcome of his own 
labors. His pleasing personality and genial man- 
ner are elements in his success. 

On the 13th of August, 1893, Mr. Jolly was 
married to Miss Eliza McCarthy, of Deerfield, 
Michigan, whose father was a prominent farmer 
there. Mr. Jolly gives his political allegiance to 
the republican party and was its candidate for 
alderman in 1895 against two opponents and was 
defeated by only one vote, a fact which indicates 
his marked personal popularity in the city where 
he has always resided. He belongs to the Epis- 



5IO 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



co{3aI church and to the Ivnights of the Macca- 
bees and has a wide and favorable acquaintance 
in Ann Arbor, which has been his home through- 
out his entire hfe. 



HORACE L. WILGUS. 

Horace L. Wilgus, professor of law in the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, was born in Conover, Ohio, 
in 1859. His father. Dr. James Wilgus, was a 
native of Warren county, Ohio, born in 1817. and 
his death occurred in 1888. He was a .graduate 
of Columbus Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, 
and after completing the course located for prac- 
tice in Fletcher, that state. Subsequently he pur- 
chased a farm near Conover, where he carried on 
general agricultural pursuits in connection with 
his professional duties, conducting a country 
practice. He lived in that locality up to the time 
of his death, bringing to his cvervda\- duties a 
sound, conscientious obligation and a desire for 
improvement. He married Susan R. Lafretty, 
who was born at Pekin, Warren county, Ohio, a 
dau.ghter of George and Elizabeth (Throckmor- 
ton) Lafretty. Four children were born of this 
marriage: Mary Flial:)ctli ; Mrs. Clara Jane Mc- 
Farland. who has two children. Airs. Ellen Coon 
and Horace M, ; Horace L., of this review ; and 
James Alva, who married Flavia Mc( inrer, and 
has two children, Alva Curtis and Dorothea. 

In the public schools in and near Conover Pro- 
fessor Wilgus obtained his early educalinn, which 
was supplemented by study in the National Nor- 
mal University, at Lebanon. Ohio. Subsequently 
he matriculated in the Ohio State LTniversity, 
from which he was graduated with the class of 
1882. He then became chief clerk in the railroad 
commissioner's office, of Ohio, where he was re- 
tained from 1881 until 1885. after which he ac- 
cepted a position as private secretary with the 
receiver of the Cleveland & Marietta Railroad 
Company, acting in that capacity until the middle 
of 1886. Fie prepared for the bar through private 
study and was admitted to practice in the Ohio 
courts in 1884. In t886 he opened a law office in 
Troy, Ohio, the county seat of Miami county. 



where he remained in active connection with the 
profession until 1888, when he sought a broader 
field of labor in Columbus. In the winter of 
1 890- 1 he aided in organizing the law school of the 
Ohio State University, at Columbus, and was 
elected secretary and professor of elementary law 
when the school opened in the fall of 1891. He 
was thus associated with the university until Sep- 
tember, 1895, when he resigned and came to Ann 
Arbor, where he accepted the position of professor 
of elementary law, torts, corporations and evi- 
dence in the L^niversity of ]\Iichigan, with which 
he has since been identified, his present relation 
therewith being that of professor of law, corpora- 
tions and torts. 

On the 24th of June, 1886, Professor Wilgus 
was married, in Columbus. Ohio, to Miss Flora 
Belle Ewing, who was born in Union countv, that 
state, a dau.ghter of Thomas M. and Elizabeth 
(Carter) Ewing. She died November 27, 1894, 
leavin,g two sons, Walter L. and Horace E., both 
of whom were laorn in Columbus, Ohio. On thC' 
1st of September, 1897, •" Palmyra, New York, 
Professor ^^'il.gus wedded Julia Gay Pomroy, a 
daughter of Enos P. and Caroline ( Pardee) Pom- 
roy. There is a daughter of the second marriage, 
Caroline Gay. born in Ann Arl^or. Professor 
Wilgus is a republican, in which the great polit- 
ical questions and situations of the day find an in- 
terested student. His love of scientific research 
has been the source of his advancement in profes- 
sional life and the fact of his professorship in one 
of the best universities of the land is an indication 
of his abilitv as an educator. 



GUSTAVE ZACHMANN. 

Gustave Zachmann, owning and controlling a 
large .granite monument business in Ann Arbor, 
is a native son of this city, born on the lOth of 
May, 1873. His father was Xaviar Zachmann, a 
native of Germany, who came to Ann .\rbor in 
1861 and here established a butcher business. 
which he still conducts. The mother bore the 
maiden name of Annie Miller, and was a native 
of Germany, emigrating from the fatherland to 




GUSTAVE ZACHMANN. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COl^NTY. 



513 



tlie new world in her oirlhood days. This \vorth\ 
couple became the parents of eight children : An- 
nie, Gertrude. Robert. Edward, (kistave. P'rank 
and Louise, all of whom are living- in Ann Arbor : 
and William, who makes his home in I'.attle 
Creek. ^Michigan. 

Mr. Zachmann. of this review, obtained his 
early education in the public and ]iarochial 
schools of his native city, and in his youth be- 
•came acquainted with the butcher business by as- 
sisting his father. Eventually he embarked in the 
marble and granite business on his own account 
and is now associateil with 1. [.. Arnet. which 
partnership was formed in 1901. a short time 
after Mr. Zachmann started in lousiness. They are 
located at Xo. 107 East Ann street, where they 
conduct a very large granite monument liusiness. 
The output of the establishment is of the highest 
class workmanship, prices are reasonable and 
the business dealings honorable, and these quali- 
ties have insured for the house its present gratify - 
ing patronage. The firm erect all the momi- 
ments for the deceased members of the Woodmen 
of the World. 

In 1903 Mr. Zachmann was united in marriage 
to Miss Rose Jacobus, of ,\nn Arbiir, whose fam- 
ilv are prominent farming peo]ile of ^lacon. Fra- 
ternally Mr. Zachmann is connected with the 
Woodmen of the W 1 irld and jiohticalK is inde- 
pendent, casting his ballot in support of men and 
measures rather than party. He is interested in 
local improvement and development. Those who 
know him personall\- have for him warm regard, 
for he is always courteous, kindlv and amiable. .\ 
man of natural business abilitw his success from 
the beginning has been uniform and rapid and. 
])ersevering in the pursuit of a persistent purpose, 
he has gained a most satisfactory rew-ard. 



XETT. AI.RX AXnP.R (1 ATES. M. D. 

Xeil .\lexander ( iates, although one of the 
younger members of the medical fraternitv, is rec- 
ognized as a leading representative of his calling 
in Dexter, where he has been successfullv en- 
.gaged in practice for some time. He was ))orn in 



.\nn .\rbor. .Michigan, March 16, 1873. The an- 
cestrv of the family can be traced back in direct 
line to Stephen Gates, who was born in Hingham. 
England, and was the second son of Thomas 
Gates, of Norwich, Norfolk county, England. He 
crossed the .Atlantic on the ship Diligent, of Ips- 
wich. acconi])aniefl by his wife .Ann. and two 
children, arriving in 1638. They settled at Hing- 
ham, Massachusetts, and Stephen Gates was one 
of the founders of the town of Lancaster, Massa- 
chusetts, in ii'i54. He also had rights at Groton 
and he died at Cambridge, Mas.sachusetts, in 
i'i(i_>. He performed some important service in 
the new settlements and was an active, energetic 
and fearless pioneer of New England coloniza- 
tion. 

riu paternal grandparents of Dr. Gates were 
Xathaniel and Susan ( Ouackenbush) Gates, both 
of whom were born in New York. They had 
eleven children but only two are now living: John 
-\. and Hannah. 

John .\. (iates, father of Dr. Ciates. was liorn 
in Schenectady, New York, March 2. 1840, and 
])ursued his education in the ])ublic schools. When 
a boy he worked in a machine shop as timekeeper 
and at the age of seventeen years began learning 
the carpenter's trade. When twenty years of age 
he came to .Ann .Vrbor. Michigan, on his way 
south to visit his parents, but on account of the 
war could not go south. On Simday the news 
was received that the rebels had fired upon Fort 
.Sumter and he immediatel)' enlisted in the liarry 
Guards. This was on the 14th of .April. 1861. 
The troops were encamped at the fair grounds 
and drilled every day. ho])ing to get into some 
regiiuent. but the First, Second and Third Regi- 
ments of Michigan X'olunteers were formed from 
the state militia. Eventually the company, how-- 
ever, was made Company D of the F'ourth .Michi- 
gan Regiment and was mustered into the United 
States service at .Adrian for three years on the 
20th of June, 1 86 1. They went to Harrisburg 
for arms and uniforms and thence proceeded to 
I'laltimore anil on to Washington, D. C, being 
first (|uartere(l in a building on Pennsvlvania ave- 
nue. Later they proceeded to Meridan Hill, 
where they went into c|uarters and from that 
]>oint went forth to take part in the first battle of 



514 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Bull Run. Later they assisted in building Fort 
Woodberr}- and afterward went to Miners Hill, 
where they spent the winter of 1861-2. They 
then went with the First I'.rigade of the Fifth 
Army Corps and participated in all the battles 
of the Peninsular campaign. Mr. Gates, having 
joined Company H of the Second Cavalry of 
United States Dragoons, was detailed as body 
guard for General McClellan and later on was 
transferred to act as courier for General M. R.. 
Patrick, provost marslial general of the Potomac, 
with whom he remained until the spring of 1864, 
and during that time, at the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, they had quarters near Brandywine Station 
and Mr. Gates was wounded by a rebel sharp 
shooter while carrying orders from headquarters 
to the front. His command engaged in the open- 
ing of the battle and the following day flanked 
General Lee's forces and participated in a raid 
around Richmond, liberating a regiment of in- 
fantrv that had been captured on the first day of 
the battle. This regiment then joined its division. 
Moving along to Beaver Dam Station, the com- 
mand to which Mr. Gates was attached met 
Hampton's forces on their way to reinforce Lee. 
This was about sundown and they built fires so 
that the rebels would think they had encamped 
for the night but instead of doing so they started 
for Richmond. When within a mile of the city 
they came upon the torpedoes, which exploded, 
and this gave the alarm to the city and the battle 
was on. They cut their way through the Confed- 
erate troops, however, and later fell back to Gaines 
Mill. Subsequently they moved forward to join 
the Armv of the Potomac and Mr. Gates was one 
of the four men that led the way on the march. 
He participated in the battle of Cold Harbor until 
relieved by the infantry forces, then fell back, and 
after being given seven days' rations was ordered 
on a raid to destroy the railroad station and rail- 
road to Trevillian and cut off the supplies which 
were being sent to the Shenandoah valley. Soon 
after this, his term of service having expired, Mr. 
Gates was discharged from the army at City 
Point and took the steamboat for Washing- 
ton. There he called on his old friend. 
Charles King, who was superintendent in the 
quartermaster's department, and by whom he was 



appointed master mechanic in the department. A 
few weeks afterward, when Early made his raid 
on Washington, the government employes in 
and around the city organized into regiments to 
check his advance and Mr. Gates then served with 
the rank of major. The troops moved across the 
river into Virginia and took the cars for Manassas 
Junction. Later they moved back to .\lcxandria, 
where he remained until after the close of the 
war, when he was sent to Kansas as master me- 
chanic. During his first term of enlistment with 
the volunteer army he engaged in the siege of 
"N'orktown and Williamsburg, and was in the bat- 
tle of Chickahominy, Hanover Courthouse, (]aines 
Mill, Savage Station, Turkey Bend, White Oak 
Swamp and Malvern Hill, where Colonel Wood- 
berry, the regiment commander, was killed. Later 
he was in the Pope campaign, participating in the 
battle of Gainesville, second battle of Bull Run 
and the battle of Antietam and Shepardstown. 
Following his transfer to the Second UnitedStates 
Dragoons he took part in the battles of Freder- ■ 
icksburg and was also eng'aged at Chancellors- 
ville, at Gettysburg, at Culpeper, lirandy Sta- 
tion, Bristow Station, Rappahannock and the bat- 
tle of the Wilderness. 

Jdhn A. Gates, following the close of the war, 
was married on the 8th of April, 1868, to Miss 
Dora McCormick, who was born October 11, 
1845. They became the parents of seven children : 
AVilliam F., who was born January 28, 1871, and 
is a practicing dentist at Jackson, Michigan ; Neil 
A., of this review ; Allie S.. who was born July 
12, 1875: Ola, born September 17, 1877: More 
G., who was born September 17, 1881, and is en- 
gaged in the conduct of a market at Ann Arbor; 
Bessie, who was born November 30, 1883 ; and 
John H., born April 23, 1890. 

,\fter his marriage Mr. Gates returned to Els- 
worth, Kansas, where he had been stationed with 
the army for some time, and later went to Fort 
Earned . hut that fall gave up his work in the 
west and returned to Ann Arbor. He here en- 
tered the employ of the finn of Partridge, La- 
force & Noble in their mill, having charge of the 
building for about four years. Subsequently he 
engaged in business with John D. Little and in 
1892 he entered the service of the State Univer- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



515 



sity, being- in charge of the repair work until 
May, 1903, when he had to give up the position 
on account of ill health. He then went to a hos- 
pital, where it was found necessary to remove one 
rib. 

Mr. Gates has been a member of Golden Rule 
lodge, No. 569, A. F. & A. M., since 1868 and 
has filled all of the chairs. He likewise belongs 
to Washtenaw chapter, R. A. M., and has served 
in all of its offices save tliat of high priest and 
king. He maintains pleasant relationships with 
his old army comrades through his membership 
in the Grand Army of the Republic and he gives 
his political allegiance to the republican party. 

Dr. Gates, whose name introduces this record, 
pursued his literary education in the public schools 
of .\nn .\rbor and later entered the L'niversity of 
Michigan, wherein he pursued a course in medi- 
cine and surgery and was graduated on the ist 
of July, 1897. Six days later, on the 7th of July, 
he was married to Miss .\nna Schneider, who 
lived for onlv one vear and ten months after her 
marriage. She was a daughter of Christian and 
Christina { Bohnett ) Schneider. On the 1st of 
Januar\-, 1900, Dr. Gates was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Amelia Schneider, 
a daughter of ^lichael and Magdalena ( Kerbley ) 
Schneider, both of whom were natives of Mr- 
ginia. Her father, who came to .\nn .\rbor at 
an early day, was a cooper by trade and after 
taking up his abode in Michigan carried on farm- 
ing and was also engaged in the cooperage busi- 
ness for a number of years, but is now living a 
retired life in .-Xnu Arbor. 

In July, 1897, Dr. Gates locatetl in Dexter and 
from the beginning has been accorded a liberal 
patronage. He is recognized as one of the able 
|iractilioners in this section of the countv with 
])road and accurate knowledge of the jirinciples of 
medicine and surgery. He is very careful in the 
diagnosis of a case and accurate in his application 
of his knowledge to the needs of his patients. 
In 1900 he erected wliat is known as the 
Gates Block in Dexter and on the 1st of June, 
iciO(), lie purchased a fine residence, which he 
has converted into a sanitarium. Here he treats 
people from far and near, having from three to 
fifteen patients in his care at all times. In coni- 



munit\- interests he is an inthuntial factor and 
has acted as one of the trustees on the village 
board. Prominent in Masonry, he belongs to 
Washtenaw lodge, No. 65. A. F. & A. M., and 
both he and his wife are charter members of 
Washtenaw chapter. No. 302, O. E. S. He be- 
longs to Washtenaw chapter. No. 6, R. A. M., at 
Ann Arbor, and is also affiliated with the Elks 
lodge in that city, the Royal Circle, the Modern 
Woodmen camp and the Sons of Veterans, of 
Ann Arbor, together with Crxstal tent. No. 279, 
K. O. T. M. For three years he was a member 
of Company A. of the First Michigan Regiment 
of the National Guard. He is a )oung man, alert 
and enterprising, who in the public interests of 
Dexter and Washtenaw county has become a 
valued factor, while in his profession he has won 
prominence and success that is only given in 
recognition of superior merit and ability. 



LOUIS H. BOES. 



Louis H. Does, well kiidwn in the educational 
and musical circles of Ann Arbor, is now a 
teacher in the Zion Lutheran parochial school, an 
organist in the church and director of the choir. 
.\ native son of Indiana, he was born in Rich- 
mond, September 26, 1871, and is of German par- 
entage. His father. Adam Boes. is a native of 
Hanover, Germany, and is a carpenter by trade, 
vet connected with building operations in Rich- 
mond, Indiana. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Catherine Cutter, was also a native of 
Germany. They became the parents of five chil- 
flren, of whom four are living: Louis H. ; iMinnie, 
a resident of Richmond, Indiana: ]\Irs. Flora 
Beck, who is living in Youngstown, Ohio ; Elea- 
nora, also of Richmond : and Frederick, who died 
at the age of two years. 

Louis H. Boes, the only living son, was reared 
in his native city, acquired his preliminary educa- 
tion in the schools there and afterward attended 
the Teachers' Seminary at Woodville, Ohio. He 
came to Ann Arbor in 1890 and is now a teacher 
in the Zion Lutheran parochial schools, his effi- 
ciencv and conscientious effort contributing to the 



5i6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



excellent reputation which the school bears. He 
teaches the German language and is also organist 
in the German Zion Lutheran church and the di- 
rector of the choir. 

In 1893 Professor Hoes was married to Miss 
Anna M. Lutz, of .Ann .Vrbor, and they now have 
two interesting children : Reinhold Erwin. now 
attending school : and Freida .\gatha. Mr. Roes 
votes with the democracy but is not active in poli- 
tics, as his attention is occupied with his educa- 
tional and musical service, and in both lines he is 
making continued advancement, so that his abilit\ 
makes his work entireh- adeciuate to the require- 
ments. 



(;eorge p.l.mch. 



George Pdaich. in whose life history the fa- 
miliar but oft misused term of a self-made man 
finds e.xemplification, has from the age of ten 
years been dependent upon his own resources and 
his utilization of opportunity coupled with unre- 
mitting diligence has proved the strong elements 
in his success. He is a native of the Empire 
state, his birth having occurred in Fulton. ( )swego 
county, .\'ew York, on the 7th of .\ugust. 1857. 
Tlis father. David Rlaich, was a native of Wur- 
temberg. Germany, and was a farmer by occujja- 
tion. Coming to .\merica in 1852, he was for 
many years a resident of Xew York, while his last 
seven years were spent at the home of his son 
< ieorge in Chelsea, Michigan, where his death 
occurred on the 21st of February, 1897. He had 
for fourteen years survived his wife, who bore 
the maiden name of Frederica Keck. She was 
born March 8, 1834. and came to this coimtry in 
1852. being thirty-eight days u|)on the water. She 
arrived in Sxracuse. Xew York. September 18, 
1852, and was married Febrnar\ 2. 1854. She died 
at (Onondaga Hill. Xew York. December 11. 1883. 
In the family were eleven children, eight of whom 
are yet living: Davi<l. a resident farmer of this 
county, his home being three miles west of Chel- 
sea : George ; Charles, who follows farming in 
Salem township ; Lillie. the wife of Theodore E. 
^^'ood. cashier of the Chelsea Savings P.ank of 
Chelsea ; William, a merchant of Cleveland, Ohio : 



John, a merchant of S\ racuse, Xew York : Mrs. 
Rosa Garthe, of Syracuse ; and Edward, who is 
with the Xational iiiscuit Com])any at Cleveland. 
( )hio. 

(ieorge lUaich s])ent his early boyhood in his 
parents' home but in 1867, when but ten years of 
age, left the parental roof and has since been de- 
pendent upon his own resources for a living. It 
was an early age for him to start out and fight 
life's battles but he soon realized the re- 
sponsibilities of life and valued conditions 
at their true worth. While working on 
farms at Onondaga Hill. Xew York, he 
also embraced the opportunity that came 
him to attend school and after a time determined 
to enter a walk of life demanding intellectuality, 
close application and special preparation. He 
worked for Dr. Wheating. with whom he re- 
mained for a year, after which he went to Syra- 
cuse, Xew York, where he secured a situation in 
the grocery store of Thomas Rice. Subse(|uently 
he was with the firm of Cnrtiss & Sandwald. car- 
riage manufacturers, for three years, on the expi- 
ration of which period he entered business on his 
own account and for three xears was a factor in 
commercial life in Syracuse. He then sold out to 
his partner and entered the oil business, in which 
he continued for three years, subsequent to which 
time, on the 6th of .\pril. 1886. he came to Chel- 
sea. Michigan, on a visit. Being pleased with 
this part of the country, he decided to remain and 
l)tirchased the grocery store of L. D. Loomis, 
after which he conducted the business at Chelsea 
for ten vears, when on accomit of failing' health 
he retired from mercaiuile life there. .After a 
rest of two and a half years he came to Ann .Arbor 
and on the i8th of ( )ctober. 1897. established a 
grocer}- store at Xo. I2ig South I'niversity ave- 
nue. He is still in business at this location, hav- 
ing a large trade in high class groceries and bot- 
tled and canned goods of all descrijitions. He 
carries an extensive stock of a fine line of goods 
and has secured a large and i)rofitable trade. 

On May 29. 1888. Mr. Blaich was married to 
Mrs. Myrta Cornwell. of Chelsea. Michigan. 
Although their residence in .Ann .Arbor has cov- 
ered a com[)aratively brief period they have 
gained manv friends here and the hospitality of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



many of the best homes is freely acconled them. 
Mr. Blaich is prominent in Masonry, lioldins; 
membership in Golden Rule lodsje. Xo. 156, A. F. 
& .\. M., of Chelsea : Grass Lake chapter, No. 98. 
R. A. M. : .\doniram council. No. 24. R. & S. M.. 
of Manchester; Olive chapter. No. 108, ( ). E. .S.. 
of Chelsea; and Ann Arbor commandery. No. 13, 
K. T. He is thorou,!.,'"hl\ in sympatln with the 
teachings and tenets of the craft, e.xemplifyinL:; in 
his life the princi])les of the fraternit\ . Promi- 
nent in the l'>ai:)tist church, he transferred his 
membership to the First l!a]:)tist church of Ann 
Arlior on his removal to the city and has since 
been closely and helpfully connected with a num- 
ber of its acitvities. He has served as treasurer and 
in other offices and does all in his power for the 
growth and upbuildint;' of the church. Mis jxjlit- 
ical faith is that of the republican party, hut he is 
without ambition for office, preferriuL;' to .give his 
attention to his business interests, his church 
activities and his social and home relations. He 
holds friendship inviolable and is a man of domes- 
tic tastes. The permeating; influence of his life is 
shown forth in an u])ri,2;ht character, in straii.;ht- 
forward dealina; in commercial circles and in al- 
le'4'iancc to ever\' trust reposed in him. 



HERMAN KRAl'F 



Tlernian Krapf. who is nnw livini;- retired 
after many years of active connection with busi- 
ness aiifairs in .\nn Arbor, was born in this citv 
on the 3d of Alarch, 1841, and is therefore amon<.j 
the oldest of its native sons. His jiarents were 
Conrad and Mary ( Anderlin ) Krapf. The father 
was a native of Germany, born January 15, 1810, 
and after spending the years of his boyhood and 
vnutli in the land of his birth, he crossed the 
briny deep to the new world in 1836, Ix'inij then a 
young man of twenty-six years, lie landed in 
New York and the following year came to .\nn 
.\rbor. where for many years he was enga<.;e(I in 
the lumber trade and in contracting and building. 
He was also prominent and influential in jniblic 
life in the city aside from his business interests 
aiifl for eighteen years acted as su]iervisor here. 
\\v made a creditable record as an official and as 



a representative of industrial interests, and his 
death, which occurred October 26, 1896. was the 
occasion of deep and widespread regret. Thus 
passed away a valued jsioneer resident, who had 
contributed in suljstantial measure to the upbuild- 
ing, progress and prosperity of the city in which 
he made his home for almost sixty years. His 
wife, Mary (Anderlin) Krapf. died when their 
son Herman was only si.x years of age, and two of 
their children. Henry C. and Mary, are also de- 
ceased. Our subject has one brother still living, 
Richard, a resident of .\nn Arbor. The father 
was twice married and by liis second union also 
had four children : (>ttmer O., a resident of Dav- 
ton, Ohio ; and Annie. Emma and Pauline, all de- 
ceased. 

Herman Krajjf was reared and educated in 
Ann .\rbor, being indebted to its public-school 
system for the training which he received along 
the more sjjecifically literary lines. He was a 
young man when the Civil war broke out and his 
l^atriotic spirit being aroused he enlisted at Ann 
.\rbor in the First Michigan Cavalry, with which 
he served for four years and ei,ght months, being 
witli Custer's Michigan brigade. Following the 
close of his militar\- service he returned to Ann 
Arbor and became engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness, after which he establishefl a sash, door and 
blind factory. Throughout an actix'e and useful 
business career he won a very gratifying measure 
of success that now enables him to live retired. 

On the 25th of December. 1866, Air. Kra])f 
was united in marria,ge to Afiss Julia \'an Da 
Warker. a daughter of Jacob and Sarah L. 
( Pranch ) \'an Da Warker, ])ioneers of this 
county. Her father became a wealthy mui in the 
shoe trade in Aim Arbor. To Mr. and Mrs. Krapf 
were born four children: Frank; Charles, who 
died in youth ; William Herman ; and Edwin C. 
William is in the sash, door and blind business 
and is now with the firm of Piiick brothers & 
Company. 

Herman Krapf is very ])rominent as an ( )dd 
Fellow, having been identified with the order for 
a half century, and he is now a member of Ann 
.\rbor encampment, in which he has been scribe 
for ten years. He is also a member of the Grand 
.\rm\- of the Rejniblic and thus maintains |)leasani 



5i8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



relations with his old army comrades and takes 
great delight in the camp fires. He usually gives 
his political allegiance to the republican party, 
though independent in local matters, and has 
always kept well informed on the questions and 
issues of the day, so that he is able to support his 
position by intelligent argument. He has acted 
as supervisor of the fourth ward but has never 
been active as a politician in seeking office. His 
religious faith is indicated by his attendance at 
the Presbyterian church. He has a beautiful 
home at 521 Detroit street. 

Edwin C. Krapf, the youngest son of the fam- 
ily, was born March 29, 1876, and his education 
was acquired in the public schools of .\nn Arbor. 
After leaving school he entered the employ of the 
dry-goods house of William Goodyear, later was 
engaged in the steam laundry business but owing 
to ill health he was compelled to seek outdoor em- 
ployment and since the 15th of November, 1904. 
has been in the government employ as a rural mail 
carrier. He was married in 1898 to Miss Flor- 
ence Hayden, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and they 
had one child, Elmer, who died in infancy. They 
now have an adopted daughter, .\gnes H., who is 
six years of age. Edwin C. Krapf is a member of 
the Patrons of Husbandry and the Knights of the 
Maccabees, and his political allegiance is given 
to the republican party. He represents one of the 
old pioneer families of this city and is a worthy 
young man. richly meriting the esteem which is 
unifdrmlv accorded him bv his man\' friends here. 



HEXRY J. I^ANDWEHR. 

Henry J. Landwehr, proprietor of a meat mar- 
ket in Manchester, is a native of Prussia, born in 
1854. His father, Henry Landwehr, was also a 
native of the same country and died in 1902 at 
the age of seventy-six years. He came to the 
Ignited States in 1864 and located near Freedom 
on a small farm. He was a tailor by trade, but 
after coming to the Ignited States confined his 
attention to agricultural pursuits and was recog- 
nized as a hard-working, industrious and frugal 
man, whose carefullv directed labors at length 



made him well-to-do. He held membership in the 
Evangelical Lutheran church and gave his polit- 
ical support to the democracy. His wife, who- 
bore the maiden name of Anna G. Schlicht, was 
born in Germany and is living upon the old home 
farm at the age of seventy-seven years. She. too. 
is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. 
In their family were six children : Henry J. ; 
Olive, the deceased wife of Barney r)ertkie ; Car- 
rie, the wife of Jacob Hinderer, a farmer of Lima, 
Washtenaw county : John, who is farming in Sa- 
line township ; Lydia, the wife of Frank Felt- 
kamp, a farmer of Lima township : and r>ernard. 
who resides upon the old homestead. 

Henry J. Landwehr was reared upon his 
father's farm and attended the district schools. 
He continued to assist in the operation of the 
fields on the old homestead until 1895. Lie was- 
married March 20. 1880, to Miss Harriet Da- 
vidter, wlio was born in Freedom township in 
1857 and was a daughter of Justus and Catherine 
(Meyer) Davidter, natives of Germany, who 
came to Washtenaw county at an early day. Her 
father was a farmer by occupation and in the 
family were twelve cliildrcn. Mrs. Landwehr he- 
ing a twin. L^nto our subject and his wife have 
been horn three children : Julia. Elmer and Helen. 
The parents are members of the Evangelical 
Lutheran church and Mr. Landwehr is a valued 
representative of several fraternal organizations, 
including the .Ancient Order of L^nited \\'orkmcn, 
the Modern Woodmen of .\merica and the 
Mutual Benevolent .\ssociation. In his political 
affiliation he is a democrat and he served as treas- 
urer and as highway commissioner of Sharon 
township. AMiile residing there he had a farm of 
one hundred and tliirt\-five acres which he culti- 
vated for eighteen years. In 1895 '""^ came to 
Manchester and opened a meat market, which he 
is still profitabh' conducting, being recognized as 
one of the enterprising business men of the vil- 
lage. Since taking up his abode here he has been 
active in communitv afifairs and in i()Oi was 
chosen supervisor of Manchester township, since 
which time by successive re-elections he has con- 
tinued to fill the office. He is a member of the 
village council, serving for the past six years, and 
at the present writing is president pro tern. Itt 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



521 



his life record he displays many of the sterling 
characteristics of his German ancestry, including 
the ]5erseverance and diligence which have ever 
been strong features in the Teutonic race. He is, 
however, thoroughly American in thought and 
feeling and has a deep and sincere attachment for 
the stars and stripes. 



ROBERT L. W.VRREN. 

Robert L. Warren, editor and manager of the 
.\nn Arbor Dailv Times, was bom in Caledonia, 
Shiawassee county, Michigan, December 2, 1842. 
His parents were Samuel N. and Anna K. War- 
ren, the former a native of X'ermont and the 
latter of the state of New York. 'l"he father died 
in September. IQ04. at the age of ninety-two 
years, and the mother, still surviving at the age 
of eighty-eight years, resides with her son Rob- 
ert I., in Ann Arbor. 

Air. Warren's birth occurred in what was 
then the wilds of Michigan, where there were 
few residents other than Indians. A few months 
afterward the family removed to Fentonville and 
in 1851 to Flint, Michigan, where Mr. Warren 
grew to manhood. He was graduated from tlie 
high scliool there in i860 and in the fall of that 
year entered the literary de]iartment of the 
University of Michigan. Imbued with the spirit 
of patriotism, which the firing on h'ort Sumter 
inspired, the following spring he entered the 
camp of instruction at Fort WaA'ue as a sergeant 
in Company A, Seventh Michigan Infantry, but 
at muster was rejected on physical account. In 
1862, however, he enlisted in Compan\' K, 
Twenty-thinl Michigan Infantry, leaving the 
state in Ju]\-. While at Bowling Green, Ken- 
tucky, in January, 1863, a commission of second 
lieutenant of Company C, Twenty-seventh Michi- 
gan Infantry reached him. He at once returned 
to the state and joined his regiment then quar- 
tered at Ypsilanti. Soon after the regiment went 
south to Kentucky he was detailed to act as aid- 
de-camp on the staff of the commander of the 
First Brigade, First Division, Ninth Armv Corps, 
continuing to serve in that capacity until the close 



of the Vicksburg camjiaign, when illness com- 
pelled him to retire on leave of absence. In the 
following October his resignation was accepted 
on account of physical disability. 

.\fter regaining his healtli Mr. Warren entered 
the law department of the University of Michi- 
gan in 7864 and was graduated with the class 
of 1 866. While in college he joined the Zeta 
Psi fraternity, in which he still maintains an 
active interest. Following his graduation he 
entered at once upon the practice of law in Flint 
but a \ear latir was prevailed upon to engage 
in newspaper work, to which he has since devoted 
his energies. He purchased the Bay City Journal 
in i86g and two \'ears later made it a daily — the 
first daily jiaper published in that now thriving 
city. Since then he has been associated as editor 
and publisher with papers in Saginaw, Law- 
rence. Decatur, .Mbiou, Charlotte and Ann .Kr- 
bor and it is only justice to state that all of these 
publications have been generously appreciated in 
the communities where iniblished. The Ann .\r- 
Ijor Times, with which he has been connected for 
the past few years, bears the impress of his thor- 
ough and capable work. 

Mr. Warren was married, December 21, 1865, 
to Miss Carrie W. Beecher, of Flint. Three chil- 
dren were born to them, one of whom, William 
Bates ^^'arren, died in 1884, at the age of thir- 
teen years. The two survivors are Mrs. Emilv 
L. Ware, i^f Evanston, Illinois, and Charles B. 
Warren, a well known corporation lawver of 
Detroit. 

Politicall\' Mr. Warren has from his earliest 
years been an active and consistent republican 
and is well known throughout the state through 
liis presence at conventions and his participation 
in public affairs. In 1871 he was receiver of 
the Ignited States land office at East Saginaw 
and in 1882 was elected to the state legislature 
from the first district of Van Buren county and 
was a leading particijiant in the great Ferrv sen- 
atorial contest of 1883. He gave many years' 
service to the councils, school boards and many 
of the local organizations in the several cities and 
villages where he has resided, and at the pres- 
ent writing he is president of the board of trustees 
of the Michigan school for the deaf at Flint. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



When the Grand Army of the Republic was or- 
ganized he early allied himself with its member- 
ship and in addition to serving as commander of 
the post at Decatur and Albion he has frequently 
been a delegate to the state and national encamp- 
ments and is now serving as commander of 
Welch post, No. 137, G. A. R., of Ann Arbor. 



HON. FRANK P. GLAZIER. 

Hon. Frank P. Glazier, state treasurer of 
}\lichigan, president of the Chelsea Savings Bank 
and president and general manager of the Glazier 
Stove Company, has left and is leaving the im- 
press of his individuality upon the industrial 
and financial development and progress of his 
home city and upon the political history of the 
state and his course has been one that has 
honored the people who have honored him. He 
was born March 8. 1862, in Jackson, his parents 
being George P. and Emily J. (Stimson) Gla- 
zier, who are represented on another page of 
this work. He attended the common and high 
schools of Chelsea and pursued his more ad- 
vanced education in Michigan State Universitv, 
being graduated from the pharmaceutical depart- 
ment with the class of 1880. He likewise com- 
pleted a course in Eastman National Business 
College at Poughkeepsie, New York, by gradu- 
ation with the class of 1881. x\bout this time 
he was married on the 30th of December, 1880. 
to Miss Henrietta Geddes, a daughter of the late 
Henry M. Geddes, of Chelsea, and for six months 
they traveled in Germany, visiting the many 
points of historic, modern and scenic interest in 
the fatherland. 

Following his return to Chelsea, in Novem- 
ber, 1881, Mr. Glazier purchased the drug store, 
which had long been established and conducted 
by his father and which he carried on with equal 
success until 1890, when he sold out. In that 
year he turned his attention to the manufacture 
of oil stoves as a member of the Glazier Strong 
Stove Company. After two years he purchased 
the interests of the others in the business, which 
was conducted under the name of Frank P. Gla- 



zier. He manufactured oil stoves for both cook- 
ing and heating purposes, these stoves using a 
coal oil from which is generated a gas. The 
business constantly and steadily increased and in 
1901 had reached such extensive proportions that 
it was incorporated under the name of the Gla- 
zier Stove Company with F. P. Glazier as presi- 
dent and general manager ; William J. Knapp, 
first vice president ; William P. Shenck, sec- 
ond vice president; H. I. Stimson, secretary; 
Fred Wedemeyer, treasurer; and Hon. William 
W. Wedemeyer as counsel. .\t the present time 
the ofiicers are F. P. Glazier, president and gen- 
eral manager ; William W. Wedemeyer, first vice 
president ; William J. Knapp, second vice presi- 
dent; H. I. Stimson, secretary; Fred Wedemeyer, 
treasurer ; and V. G. Glazier, auditor. The plant 
now covers an extensive area and is splendidly 
equipped with the latest improved machinery 
needed for the conduct of such an enterprise. 
Building after building has been erected to be 
used in connection with the manufacture of the 
stoves and a fine granite building has been erected 
for office purposes. The volume of trade is in- 
dicated somewhat by the fact that from one hun- 
dred and fifty to two hundred people are em- 
ployed at the Chelsea Manufacturing plant and 
the manufactured product under the name of the 
"brightest and best" oil and gas stoves are 
shipped throughout the country. ]\Ir. Glazier is 
a man nf resourceful business ability and while 
developing this concern of magnitude he has 
at the same time been interested in other enter- 
prises of Chelsea, having in 1902 been elected 
president of the Chelsea Savings Bank, in which 
he had previously served for a number of years 
as a director. In 1901 he erected a fine granite 
and marble business block for bank purposes at 
a cost of about one hundred thousand dollars as a 
memorial to his father, the Hon. George P. 
Glazier, who died in 1901. 

Mr. Glazier is a republican, politically promi- 
nent and has become widely known through the 
state by reason of his active and effective sup- 
port of the party. He was president of the vil- 
lage for five years in 1898 and again from 1901 
to 1904, inclusive. During this time many sub- 
stantial and important improvements were in- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



523 



stituted. He stood as the champion of all that 
was progressive and his labors contributed in 
large measure to the advancement of the town. 
Still higher political honors awaited him, how- 
ever, for in 1902 he was elected to the state 
senate and was there connected with important 
constructive legislation, being an active worker 
in committee rooms. In 1904 he was elected state 
treasurer, being nominated by acclamation at the 
state convention, an honor not given to any candi- 
date on his first term in thirty years. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Glazier has been 
blessed with seven children but George P., the 
eldest, died at the age of one year, and Frank, 
the fifth in order of birth, died in infancy. The 
others are: \'era G., Harold P.. Edna G., Dorothy 
G. and Henry L 

Without invidious distinction Frank P. Glazier 
may be termed the most prominent citizen of 
Chelsea because of the importance of his business 
interests, which have so largely been the basis of 
the commercial prosperity of the town, and be- 
cause of the honors to which he has attained in 
public life. 



REGINALD SPOKES. 

Reginald Spokes, who for twelve years has 
been citv engineer of the water company in Ann 
.\rbor, being for the last eight years in charge 
of the pumping station and well known here as a 
reliable business man. was born in Saline. June 
17, 1850. The father, Amos Spokes, was born 
in Northamptonshire, England, in 1824 and 
crossed the Atlantic to New York in 1847. By 
way of the Wellington canal and the Great Lakes 
he journeyed westward to Milwaukee. Wisconsin, 
and soon afterward he came to Washtenaw 
county, Michigan, where he established his home. 
He was a millwright by trade but he followed 
carpentering for a few years after coming to 
Michigan and then returned to his former occu- 
pation. At one time he owned a mill and he 
has done work as a millwright on all the mills 
along the Huron river. He was married to 
Miss Lydia Clark, a native of Rugby, England, 
who was educated at Rugby College and came to 



this country with her brother. Dr. Clark, settling 
at Dexter, Michigan. By this marriage there 
were born five children, of whom one died in in- 
fancy. William, a miller by trade, living in Jack- 
son county, married Ettie Parsons and has one 
daughter. Temperance M. is the wife of John 
W. Mason, of Bicknell, Indiana, and they have 
two children. Reginald is the next of the family. 
Charles A. is a railroad conductor on the IMichi- 
gan Central road running on the limited. The 
father was a member of the Presbyterian church 
and a verv devout Christian man. He was also 
chorister in several of the leading churches of 
this county. While in England he was a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
In addition to his millwright business in this 
countv he engaged in merchandising for several 
vears in Howell and as prosperity attended him 
lie made judicious investment in property until 
he owned considerable real estate here. His 
death occurred February 21, 1891, while his wife 
passed awa\- February 21. 1904, at the advanced 
age of eighty-five years, having survived her 
husband for exactly thirteen years. 

Reginald Spokes left home when a youth of 
eleven years and began working on a farm. He 
had a common-school education and was a student 
in the high school at Saline. When fifteen years 
of age he learned the painter's trade, which he 
followed until twentv years of age. He then 
came to Ann .\rbor and began railroading, which 
he followed in all branches of the business not 
only upon the road but in the shop as well. After 
his marriage, however, he gave up railroading 
and operated a stationary engine in a mill in Ann 
.\rbor for sometime. Later, however, he returned 
to the railroad employ as an engineer but during 
the last twelve years he has been city engineer 
for the water company in Ann Arbor, acting in 
that capacity at the pumping station during the 
past eight years. 

yir. Spokes was married to Miss Annie E. 
Hauser. a daughter of Christopher Hauser, who 
was torn in W\irtemberg. Germany, but came to 
Michigan in early life. He engaged in business 
at Saline as a boot and shoe merchant and made 
most of his own stock. L^nto Mr. and Mrs. 
Spokes have been born three sons : Harold, seven- 



5-'4 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



teen years of age; William C, tifteen years old; 
and Raymond E.. eight years of age. 

Mr. Spokes is a member of the Presbyterian 
church and also belongs to Cnjlden Rule lodge. 
No. 149. A. l"". & A. M.. at Ann Arbor, and 
Maccabees tent, Xo. 296. In politics he is a 
stalwart republican and for two years represented 
his ward on the board of aldermen, where he 
won many friends by his official integrity and his 
devotion to the general welfare. He now has a 
fine home on North Division street and he owns 
considerable other property in Ann Arbor, show- 
ing that his life has been well spent and that his 
energies have been capably directed, for he started 
out I in his (iwn account when but eleven years of 
age and has since been dependent upon his own 
resources. 



A. PALMER. 



J. A. Palmer, cashier and stockhdlder of the 
Kempf Commercial & Savings Pank at Chelsea, 
has advanced through his untiring efforts and dil- 
igence to a creditable jiosition in financial circles 
and his life history is another illustration of the 
truth of the axiom of Epicharmis, "Earn thy re- 
ward : the Gods give naught to sloth." 

Mr. Palmer is a native of Oneida county, New- 
York, born in 1840 and is a son of Austin and 
Jane (Russell) Palmer. The father came to 
Michigan in 1841 and settled in Alonroe cimnty. 
while later he took up his abode in Huron, this 
state and subsequently became a resident of Ann 
Arbor, wdience he afterward removed to Brook- 
lyn, Michigan, passing away there in 1852. Later 
the family removed to Waukegan, Plinois, where 
thev spent one year, returning thence to (irass 
Lake, Michigan, where they lived until 1857, 
when he arrived in Chelsea. In the family were 
six children: Elvira M., now deceased; J. A.; 
Sarah, who has also passed away ; Henry C. ; 
Mark, who has departed this life ; and R. C. 

J. A. Palmer acquired his education in the pub- 
lic schools of the various localities in which he re- 
sided and accompanied his parents on their differ- 
ent removals, becoming a resident of Chelsea 



when a youth of eighteen. Here he learned the 
l)lacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1861, 
when a spirit of patriotism prompted his enlist- 
ment for service in the Civil war and he joined 
Company D. Mrst Michigan Infantry, for three 
months. ( )n the expiration of that period he was 
discharged but in 1862 re-enlisted as a member of 
Company E, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, for three 
years, continuing with that regiment until the 
close of the war. The command was assigned to 
the Army of the Cumberland and he participated 
in all of the battles with his company but was 
never wounded, although he once received a 
scratch. He took part in the .\tlanta cam|)aign 
and after the capitulation of that city returned to 
Tennessee aufl joined the army under Ceneral 
Tho)iias at Nashville. Later with his command 
he aided in the defeat of (General Hood's forces. 
Mr. Palmer enlisted as a private and by merito- 
rious and valorous conduct on the field of battle 
won jjromotiiin from rank to rank until he was 
made first lieutenant of Company 11 and was later 
brevetted captain. 

When the war was over Mr. Palmer returned 
to Chelsea and entered into partnership with J. P. 
and H. L. Wood under the firm style of Wood 
I'.rothers & Companv. manufacturers of and deal- 
ers in wagons and carriages. He continued in 
that business for three years and then sold out. 
after which he entered the employ of the Michi- 
gan Central Railroad Company, with which he 
continued until 1876. He then went into the pri- 
vate bank of R. Kem]jf & Brother as cashier and 
bookkeeiJer and when the bank was reorganized 
in 1898 under the name of the Kempf Commercial 
& Savings Bank he w-as made cashier and has 
since acted in this capacity, proving a capable and 
obliging officer wdio has become popular with the 
many patrons of the liank and at the same time 
enjovs the full trust and esteem of the other offi- 
cers and stockholders in the institution. 

In 1866 Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to 
Miss Jennie S. Townsend. of Chelsea, a daughter 
of Henry Townsend. She died in 1892 and the 
following year Mr. Palmer was married to Carria 
Alohrlok, a daughter of John Mohrlok, of Sylvan 
township. They have one child, J. A. Palmer, Jr.. 
who was born in October, 1898. and is now at- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



S^3 



tending school. In his ])ohtical views Mr. Pahner 
is a stalwart republican and in March, 1905, was 
elected president of the village. He hail also filled 
that position in the '80s and he has been treasurer 
of his township and trustee of the village, proving 
a capable and efficient officer who discharges his 
duties with the same fidelity that he brings to his 
business interests. He belongs to ( )live lodge, 
No. 156, .\. F. & A. M., Olive chapter, No. 140, 
R. A. M. and Ann Arbor commandery, K. T., 
also the Mystic Shrine at Detroit. He has filled 
all the offices in the lodge and is now high priest 
of the chapter. He likewise belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity and is in hearty 
s\nipathy with the principles upon which these 
organizations are founded. 



HENRY T. Le PURGE. 

Henr\- T. Le Purge, whose recent death in 
Ypsilanti was the occasion of deep and wide- 
spread sorrow in the city where he had long re- 
sided and had won a most honorable name be- 
cause of his business connections and his upright 
life, represented one of the pioneer families of 
Washtenaw county. His birth occurred in Su- 
perior township on the 3d of March, 1844, li's 
parents being Isaac and Catherine (Te Nike) Le 
Purge, both of whoin were natives of New Jer- 
sey. The maternal grandfather was also a pio- 
neer resident of Washtenaw county, and was 
killed in a railroad accident here. Isaac Le Purge 
came to the west with his brother at an early day 
in the development of this section of the state. 
The settlements were comparatively few, the for- 
ests were largely uncut and the land unclaimed 
for the uses of civilization. The brothers then en- 
tered claims in Superior township and Mr. Le 
Purge turned his attention to general farming 
hut died at a comparatively early age, his death 
resulting from an accident. While running to 
head off sheep on his farm he fell over a rail and 
his neck was broken. His widow afterward be- 
came the wife of Sheldon Gridley, who now re- 
sides on a farm three miles southwest of Ypsi- 
lanti, and there Mrs. Gridley's death occurred. 



In the district schools of Superior township 
Henrv T. Le Purge acquired his education and 
when a youth aided his father in the operation of 
the home farm, early becoming familiar with the 
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- 
culturist. He was only eighteen years of age 
when the Civil war was inaugurated and on the 
6th of August, 1862, he enlisted for service as a 
member of the Twentieth Michigan Volunteer 
Infantry imder Captain Allen, of Ypsilanti. His 
company participated in several skirmishes and 
wdiile taking part in the battle of Spottsylvania on 
the 2d of August, 1864, Mr. Le Purge sustained 
a bullet wound in the leg that necessitated his re- 
maining at the hospital until honorably dis- 
charged on the 7th of July, 1865. 

Pollowing his return from the war Mr. Le 
Purge began farming three miles west of Ypsi- 
lanti. and while there residing was married to 
Miss Cornelia A. Ammerman, a daughter of Isaac 
and Rachel Ammerman, who came to Michigan 
in 1865, settling in Wayne county near the Wash- 
tenaw county line, where Mr. Ammerman devoted 
his time and energies to agricultural pursuits 
throughout his remaining days. His death oc- 
curred on the old homestead, after wdiich Mrs. 
.\mmerman took up her abode in Ypsilanti. where 
her death occurred. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Le Purge had 
but one child, Alice M., wdio is a graduate of the 
high school of Ypsilanti and has always made her 
home with her mother. 

Pollownng his marriage Mr. Le Purge resided 
upon a farm in Ypsilanti township for several 
years and after the death of his father-in-law he 
removed to Wayne county and resided on the 
Ammerman farm for a short time. Later he took 
up his abode in Ypsilanti and accepted a clerk- 
ship in a hardware store, in which he was em- 
ployed for a few years, when his savings justi- 
fied his embarkation in business on his 
own account. He then entered into part- 
nership with John Taylor and together they 
conducted a hardware store for several 
years, when Mr. Taylor was succeeded by 
Thomas Green. Mr. LePurge afterward bought 
out his second partner's interest and continued the 
business alone, his store being located at No. 21 
North Huron street. He had a well equipped es- 



^20 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tablishiiK-in. carryiui; a larg'e and carefully se- 
lected line of goods and enjoying a gratifying 
])atronagc so that his business was proving prof- 
itable. ( )n the 19th of March. 1904, however, 
while at work in his store he accidentall\- stepped 
back into an elevator shaft and fell through, 
crushing his head. He never spoke again and 
after lingering for one hundred hours died on the 
23d of March. He was a member in good stand- 
ing in the Masonic lodge in Ypsilanti, and also in 
the Grand Army post and both organizations par- 
ticipated in his funeral services. 

In politics he was a republican, while he and his 
family held membership in the Presbyterian 
church. He was regarded as an enterprising, en- 
ergetic business man. successful in his undertak- 
ings, his advancements coming as the direct result 
of his earnest labor and close application. Me 
had a wide acquaintance throughout the county 
and in liis life exemplified the saying of Emerson, 
the Concord philosopher, that "the way to win a 
friend is to be one." He held friendship inviola- 
ble and throughout the county he was held in the 
warmest regard by all who came in contact with 
him for his good qualities of heart and mind were 
at once recognized. Since her husband's death 
Mrs. Le Purge has sold the business to ]Mr. 
Shaefer, who now conducts the store. She owns 
a beautiful residence at Xo. 509 North Adams 
street, where she and lier daughter are living. 



ALPHONSE M. LEMBLE. 

Alphonse ^L Lemble, occupying an enviable po- 
sition in mercantile circles in Ann .\rbor, where 
he owns and conducts two fine grocery stores, is 
numbered with the large class of representative 
citizens that Germany has furnished to Washte- 
naw county. His birth occurred in Alsace, De- 
cember 16. 1852, and is now the only survivor in 
a familv of four children, whose parents were 
Blase and Therese .\nn Lemble. The father died 
in Germany in 1870. while the mother long sur- 
viving him. passing away in 1894. 

Mr. Lemble of this review acquired his educa- 
tion in the schools of his native country and has 



been a resident of Ann .Vrbor since September I. 
1883. Here he has since figured in business cir- 
cles and to-day he is well known in mercantile 
circles as proprietor of two well equipped gro- 
ceries and meat markets, one located at No. 520 
Forest avenue and the other at No. 810 Brown 
street. He has the largest cold storage room in 
.\nn Arbor and an elegant store. He carries a 
well selected line of goods and the neat and taste- 
ful arrangement is also a factor in his success. 
His business methods are honorable and will bear 
the closest scrutiny and his earnest desire to 
please his patrons has been an element in his 
prosperity. 

Before leaving his native land Mr. Lemble was 
married, the lady of his choice being Miss Adel 
Bresson, whom he redded in March, t88i. Four 
children have been born unto them : Alphonse, 
who is now in the store with his father ; Mrs. 
Louise Zachmann. of .\nn .Vrbor: Marie, living 
at home : and Frank, who is attending school. Mr. 
and i\Irs. Lemble have a wide and favorable ac- 
quaintance in the city wdiich has now been their 
home for almost a quarter of a century. He is a 
member of the Arbeiter A'erein and other local 
German societies. Though born across the water 
he is thoroughly .\merican in spirit and interests 
and has a strong and deep attachment for the 
land of his adoption and its institutions. In 
matters of local progress and imjirovement he is 
deeply interested and his co-operation has been 
given to many measures for the general good, 
while in his business life he has so conducted his 
affairs that his efforts have made him a successful 
merchant of Ann Arbor. 



FRANK A. STR'ERS. 

Frank .\. Stivers, a practitioner at A\'ashtena\v 
county bar and a product of the public scliools and 
imiversity of Ann Arbor, was born in Liberty, In- 
diana. September 6, 1868. His father. Charles \\'. 
Stivers, was a native of Adams county, Ohio, and 
for the past thirtv-five vears has been the editor 
and publisher of the Liberty Herald, of Liberty. 
Indiana, a leading republican newspaper of that 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



5^ 



l)art of the state. He married Miss Laura Free- 
man, a native of Union county. Indiana, and a 
daughter of Israel and Jane (Ward) Freeman. 
They became the parents of three children : Frank 
A. Orion L. and Florence Estella. The second 
son. now engaged in the newspaper business with 
his father at Liberty. Indiana, and at one time a 
clerk in tlie United States government service at 
Washington, D. C. married Lena Haworth. The 
daughter is the wife of Fred G. Clark, of Detroit, 
.Michigan, who is engaged in the retail shoe busi- 
ness there, and they have one child. Orion. 

Frank A. Stivers acquired his education in the 
public schools, completing a high-school course in 
Liberty, Indiana, by graduating with the class of 
i88fi. He then engaged in newspaper work with 
his father for four years, learning the practical 
duties of a printer as well as acting as reporter, 
but his ambition lay in another direction and wish- 
ing for thorough educational training ere entering 
upon a professional career, he matriculated in the 
literary department of the University of Michigan 
in 1X90 and was a member of the class of 1894. 
In 1905 he was numbered among the law 
graduates of the university and immediately aft- 
erward was admitted to the bar. at which time he 
became a member of the firm of Lehman. Smith 
& Stivers. In 1897. on the death of Mr. Smith. 
the firm became Lehman Brothers & Stivers and 
this was continued until the death of Peter Leh- 
man in 1890. when the firm became Lehman & 
Stivers. That relation was continued until 1902, 
since which time Mr. .Stivers has been alone in 
practice. The partnership business was con- 
ducted both in Detroit and Ann .\rbor. Mr. Sti- 
vers having charge of the Ann .\rbor business 
and the litigated interests of this ])lace. while Mr. 
Lehman remained in Detroit. He also has a busi- 
ness associate in Chelsea — John Kalmbach. 
the law ])ractice there being conducted 
under the firm name of Stivers & Kalm- 
bach. Professor E. F. Johnson, fonnerly secretary 
of the University of Michigan, now one of the 
justices of the supreme court, Philippine islands, 
said of Mr. Stivers. "He is careful and pains- 
taking in everything which he undertakes. It 
does not matter whether his client is one who is 
the most honored and respected of our citizens or 



one who walks in the humblest spheres of life, 
they each receive his most careful, honest and un- 
tiring consideration. He has been known to ac- 
cept and to diligently prosecute many cases for 
the poorer classes when he knew in advance that 
if he received any fee at all it would not by any 
means compensate his labors. An examination of 
the records of the cicuit court of Washtenaw 
county will disclose the fact that Mr. Stivers has. 
during the past few years, been actively connected 
with much of the more important litigation that 
has earnestly engaged the attention of the court. 
His practice has also extended to many important 
cases in the supreme court of the state." 

In his political views Mr. Stivers is a stalwart 
republican. He was once solicited by his party 
to become its candidate for prosecuting attorne\- 
but refused. In 1900. however, he received the 
party nomination and made a strong race but was 
defeated. In May, 1905. he was appointed by 
Mayor Francis ;\I. Hamilton to the position of city 
attorney and is now discharging the duties of that 
office in connection with those of a satisfactory 
private practice. 

On the 22d of June. 1898. in Liberty. Indiana. 
Mr. Stivers was married to Miss Margaret Mc- 
Kay, a native of that state and a daughter of Wil- 
liain McKay, of Liberty, who was a prominent 
contractor there, successful in his business affairs. 
His specialty was the construction of courthouses 
and he erected many courthouses in various parts 
of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Stivers now have a 
wide and favorable acquaintance in .\nn Arbor 
and, quoting from our former authority, "He is 
a \oung man of high and noble character, of a 
pure and upright life, w-orthy of the respect and 
confidence of all good men." 



CHARLES W. STIVERS. 

Charles \\'. Stivers, editor of the Liberty Her- 
ald and now (1884) serving as postmaster at 
Lil>erty. Indiana, was born near Decatur village, 
.\dams county. Ohio. August 21. 1848. He was 
the second .son of a family of five children born 
to James M. and Louisa J. (Higgins) Stivers. 
His father was a native of Adams countv and 



530 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



his mother of Clermont county, Ohio. They were 
uniteil in marriage in 1844 «i''"^' soon after took 
up their residence in Adams, then in Clermont, 
and after the death of the mother in 1861 near 
Felicity, Ohio, the father removed to George- 
town, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. In earl}- life, James M. Stivers was filled 
with an ambition to attain an education sufficient 
to qualify him for a professorshij) in some institu- 
tion of learning, but circumstances ]5revented his 
realizing that cherished hope, although he l)ecame 
a teacher and taught in the common schools of 
Adams, Clermont and Brown counties for twen- 
ty-five yt^rs. While teaching, he took up the 
study of surveying and civil engineering and be- 
rame prolicient as a surveyor. A few years after 
moving to Georgetown he was elected county 
surveyor, a position he held for ten or twelve 
years, with credit to himself and lasting benefits 
to those for whom he labored. He was an edu- 
cator of popularity and excellence, and his work 
as a surveyor was noted for its correctness and 
dispatch. At the early age of nine years he be- 
came a member of the .Methodist Episcopal 
church and remained a member during his life 
of sixty-eight years. He was descended from 
(lerman ancestry and his wife from Scotch-Irish 
parentage who emigrated from \'irginia to CJhio. 
Her maternal grandfather and six of his broth- 
ers were in the Continental army under Wash- 
ington ; while her father was in the Indian wars 
under General Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Stivers 
were not surrounded in their lifetime with afflu- 
ence, but were, nevertheless, highly respected 
and much esteemed where they lived for the pur- 
ity of their lives and the high standard of mor- 
als they observed. Mr. Stivers died September 
20, 1882. His wife had preceded him to the 
better land some twenty years. 

Charles W. Stivers, the subject of this brief 
sketch, assisted his father on the farm until thir- 
teen years of age. Soon after his father moved 
to Georgetown, Ohio, young Stivers was appren- 
ticed to John G. Doren, editor of the Southern 
Ohio Argus, to learn the printing business. Soon 
after Mr. Doren sold the .Argus to Hon. L. B. 
Leeds, in whose employ, in the Brown County 
News, young Stivers continued for one year. 



From Georgetown he went to Batavia, Ohio, 
where he worked one winter with Baxter Smith 
on the Batavia Courier, and in the summer of 
1865 went to Connersville, Indiana, where he 
entered the employ of W. N. Green in the Con- 
nersville Times office. After a little over a year's 
service there, he went to Cincinnati, where he 
worked for C. N. Morris, receiving instruction 
in job printing. In July, 1866, he came to Lib- 
erty, Indiana, to accept a situation with James 
N. McClung, then editor of the Liberty Herald. 
In less than a year, Mr. McClung wishing to 
sell out, Mr. Stivers, then but eighteen years of 
age, purchased the printing office, and with the 
exception of about a year and a half lias since 
been its editor and publisher, a portion of the 
time in connection with his brothers, Scott and 
Jackson Stivers. From 1873 to 1877, C. W. Sti- 
vers owned the Brookville American, and during 
the campaign of 1876 he owned and cflited the 
Rushville Repidilican. In Februarv, 1877, he. 
sold the last named paper to John F. Moses and 
in September of the same year he sold the Brook- 
ville American to his old preceptor, \\'. X. (ireen, 
its present owner. These papers, under the effi- 
cient editorial management of Mr. Stivers, did 
telling and effective work for the republican 
party during the hotly contested campaign of 
1876, in which he took part also as a speaker. 

Mr. Stivers was united in marriage. October 
3. 18A7, with Laura F. Freeman, daughter of 
Israel and Jane (Ward) Freeman, one of the 
old and prominent citizens of L'nion county. Her 
grandfather, Silas Ward, was also under General 
\\'ayne in the Indian wars. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Stivers were born three children — Frank .\., Sep- 
tember 6, 1868; Orion L.. December 25. 1870, 
and Florence Estella, January 28. 1877. C. ^^^ 
Stivers was appointed postmaster at Liberty, In- 
diana, February 10, 1882, by President Arthur 
upon the recommendation of Senator Benjamin 
Harrison and served four years. ?\Ir. Stivers is an 
orator above mediocrity : always fortified with 
sound argument, he is ever read_\- when occasion 
requires to take the stump in defense of the prin- 
ciples which his convictions of right teach him are 
just. A strong, clear-sighted and vigorous 
writer. '\\r. Stivers has eained m:ui\ friends and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WaSHTENAW COUNTY. 



531 



admirers while connected with the Liberty Her- 
ald and other journals. In his present jiosition 
as postmaster, he is demonstrating- his capability 
and efficiency as a public officer. He is active in 
every g-ood work and enterprise to build up the 
community and benefit his fellowmen. He is a 
member of the Methodist church, the Masonic 
and I. O. O. F. fraternities. .\s a citizen his 
character is unblemished by a single dishonor- 
able act, and his conduct toward others is of that 
nature calculated to secure friends, and so essen- 
tial an element in making up the popularity of a 
public man. 

The foregoing sketch was published in 1884. 
since which time and up to now. July, 1905, Mr. 
Stivers has continued as editor of the Liberty 
Herald. During 1903-04 he served as president 
of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association, 
and is an active member of that organization. 



SA^IUEL WILL.\RD REAKES. 

.Samuel Willard Beakes was born in Jjurling- 
ham. Xew York, January 11, 1861. He was the 
son of Dr. George M. Beakes and Elizabeth Bull. 
Dr. (George M. Beakes was born in Middletown, 
New York, January 2, 1831, on a farm which has 
been in the family for over one hundred and 
twenty-five years. He was educated at Michigan 
L^niversity and the Albany Medical School, served 
during the Civil war as assistant surgeon of the 
First New York Cavalry and afterwards as sur- 
geon of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Xew 
York Infantry. He was the only democrat, for 
forty years, to represent Sullivan county, Xew 
York, in the state assembly, where he served two 
terms, declining re-election. He was a United 
States pension examiner. He died June 18, 1900. 
Elizabeth (Bull) Beakes is a descendant of Wil- 
liam Bull and Sarah \\'ells, who came from Eng- 
land to Xew York in the seventeenth centurv. 
The Beakes family have long been .Americans and 
trace their descent from Nathan Beakes, who 
owned a mill in New Jersey nn the Delaware 
river in 1680 and was a Ouaker. 



When nine years of age S. W. Beakes moved 
with his parents to Bloomingburg, New York, 
where he attended the district school. After a 
year and a term at the Wallkill Academy in Mid- 
dletown. New York, he entered the literary de- 
partment of the L'niversity of Michigan in 1878. 
.After entering the junior class he was compelled 
bv accident to remain out of college for a time, 
and for a vear he ran a drug store at Bloom- 
ingburg, New York. Entering the law depart- 
ment of the L'^niversity of Michigan in 1881, he 
graduated in 1883. While in the law department 
he was private secretary to Judge Thomas M. 
Coolev. He began the practice of law in Wester- 
ville, Ohio, in 1883 and had built u]) a good law 
practice when he left that village. In the mean- 
time he had purchased the Westerville Review, 
which he ran at the same time he continued his 
law business, trebling the circulation of the pa])er, 
which had been running fifteen years, in ten 
months. Selling the paper in 1884, he Ixiught the 
Adrian Record, a daily paper in Adrian. Michi- 
gan, which he published for two years. Selling 
this, he was managing editor of a Jackson Morn- 
ing Daih- for a month, when he purchased the 
Ann .Arbor Argus in June, 1886. ^^''ith this 
paper he maintained connection until (_)ctober, 
1905. when he became city editor of the -Ann 
.Arbor Daily Times, and he is the oldest news- 
paper man in point of continuous service in 
Washtenaw county, with the exception of Mr. 
Blosser, of Manchester. 

In 1888 Mr. Beakes was elected mayor of .Ann 
.Arbor, turning an adverse majority of two hun- 
dred and forty-three into a majority for himself 
of two hundred and sixty-six. The next year 
he was re-elected by about the .same majority. 
He was the chairman of the committee which 
drafted the present city charter and did most of 
the work on it. He was city treasurer in 1891 
and 1892 and again in 1903 and 1(^4. He was 
postmaster of .Ann .Arbor from 1894 to 1898. 
-As postmaster. Mr. Beakes secured the enlarge- 
ment of the free delivery service, so that the mail 
was delivered throughout the city limits, he se- 
en re<l the establishment of a night mailing service, 
and |iut a stop to the postoffice rushes which had 
been a practice for years. During Mr. Beakes' 



532 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



administration as city treasurer, with a decrease 
in the amount of taxes, a deficit was converted 
into a twenty-thousand-dollar-surplus, and the 
scheme for bonding the city for forty thousand 
dollars for current expenses was thus shown to 
be unnecessary. In 1894 he was a candidate for 
presidential elector on the democratic ticket. Tn 
1898 he came within one vote of being nominated 
for congress on the democratic ticket. During 
his administration as mayor a deficit was turned 
into a balance in the treasury without increased 
taxation. Cedar Bend avenue was constructed, 
Felch Park was obtained for the city, a paid fire 
department was organized, the street railway was 
constructed, stone walks on the business streets 
were built and the movement for good walks on 
residence streets given a great impetus, the streets 
of the city were init in good condition, and the 



new charter adopted which has given an impetus 
to the growth and development of the city. 

( )n Julv 7, 1886, Mr. Beakes was married to 
Aliss Annie S. Beakes. the only daughter of Judge 
Hiram J. Beakes. who came to Ann Arbor in 
1851 and was for many years a leader of the 
Washtenaw county bar and one of the keenest 
lawyers in the state. He was mayor of the city 
two terms, member of tlie state legislature in 
1863, and judge of probate from 1864 to 1872. 
He died May 18. 1882. His wife, Sarah C. 
Swathel, who died September 7, 1904, came to 
Ann Arbor in 1843. Both Air. and Mrs. Beakes 
are members of the St. Andrews' Episcopal 
church, and for several years Mr. Beakes served 
on the vestry. For a number of years he has 
been a member of the civil board of the local 
military com])any. 




CL-U'i 



^^-^ ^^/CU^/kz^ 



Historica 



CHAPTER I. 

THE FIRST IXHAIUTAXTS OF THE COUNTY. 

It is but a trifle more than four score years 
since the first white settlement was made in 
Washtenaw county, but the march of events has 
been so rapid that the county has all the appear- 
ance of an old and long settled country. Those 
with actual ]jersonal knowledge of real pioneer 
life in the county have all passed away ; for the 
actual pioneer life in \\'ashtenaw was of short 
duration. So quickly was the county settled and 
so rapidly did the soil respond to cultivation, and 
so soon was it brought into quick commimica- 
tion with the older civilization of the east, that 
that it was only a very brief period, indeed, that 
the hardships of the jiioneers were endured. 

The settlers of the county never clashed with 
the Indians. No record of Indian massacres is 
there to be written. In fact, the Indians had re- 
moved from the county before the first perma- 
nent settlement was made, and it was onlv the 
occasional Indian callers or bands bound to re- 
ceive payments or supplies from the government 
who came into contact with the Washtenaw set- 
tler from the beginning, and what little inter- 
course there was, was of a friendly character. 

Back of the first settlement by the hardv piii- 
neers of 1823 only glimpses at wide intervals, 
and somewhat vague in character, can be obtainerl 
of the history of the county. At the time of its 
settlement it was not "a trackless wilderness," 
to use a current phrase. Its forests were inter- 
spersed with openings, denuded of trees and 



shrubs. It was ready to respond quickly to the 
touch of the white man's hand, and this probably 
accounts, in some measure, for the rapidity of its 
settlement, after such settlement began. 

Buried in obscurity as its previous history is, 
the names of the white men who first set foot 
within its borders can be stated with almost ab- 
solute certainty. And it was no common man 
who had the honor of having first trod the soil 
of Washtenaw and floated down the Huron river. 
Robert Cavalier de La Salle, with four French- 
men named Hunaud. La \'iolette, Collin and 
Daubrav, and a Mohican Indian hunter, passed 
through what is now Washtenaw county in 
.\pril, ifiSo. or one hundred forty-three years 
before a permanent settlement was made within 
its borders. This intrepid French explorer was 
in search of a passage to the East Indies, the 
goal for which Columbus, as well as many others 
of the great explorers of America, had started. 
I^ Salle believed that the Mississippi river flowed 
into the Pacific ocean, and he sought to reach 
this river by way of the Great Lakes. With his 
vessel he had coasted along the shores of Michi- 
gan, passing through the straits of Mackinac, 
and had built a fort on the banks of the Illinois 
river, a little below what is now Peoria. Here 
he encamped and sent his ship back for supplies 
before proceeding to the Mississippi. The vessel 
never returned to him, and, giving it up as lost, 
he determined to return on foot to Fort Fronte- 
nac near the entrance to the St. Lawrence River. 
Leaving the greater part of his men at Fort 
Creve Coeur, as he called the post on the Illinois 
river, he started on his long journey with the 



536 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



four Frenchmen named above, and hi.s Mohican 
Indian hunter as a guide. They embarked in 
two canoes, hut the ice soon stopped them, and 
they made two rude sledges to carry their 
canoes and baggage. They reached tlie mouth 
of .St. Joseph river March 24, 1680. From here, 
instead of following the lakes, they determined 
to cut across through southern Michigan by paths 
that white men had never trod. Sledges and 
canoes had soon to be abandoned. La Salle's 
letters depict each day's events of this |)erilous 
journey, from whence his course can be traced. 
They made ra])id ])rogress, and a da^' or two 
later than .\pril 4, 1680, they struck the Huron 
river. Two days before this they came upon a 
troop of Mascoutin warriors, who made prepara- 
tions to attack them, thinking they were the 
dreaded Iroquois, the scourge of the other Indian 
tribes. This danger being escaped as soon as 
the Indians discovered they were not Iroquois, 
the exhausted adventurers continued unmolested 
on their way. Parkman. in his "Discoveries of 
the Great West," thus describes the journey 
through Washtenaw : "Two days after this ad- 
venture, two of the men fell ill fnmi fatigue and 
exposure, and sustained themselves with difficultv 
till they reached the banks of a river, probably 
the Huron. Here, while the sick men rested, 
their companions made a canoe. There were no 
birch trees and they were forced to use the elm 
bark, which at that early season, would not slip 
freely from the wood until they loosened it with 
hot water. Their canoe being made, they embark- 
ed in it and, for a time, floated prosperouslv down 
the stream, when at length the wav was barred 
by a matted barricade of trees fallen across the 
water. The sick men could now walk again, and, 
inishing eastward through the forest, the [lartx- 
soon reached the banks of the Detroit." 

This is the first glimpse that historv affords 
us of Washtenaw county. One hundred 
and eighty-eight years after the discovery 
of .\merica. the first white men to trod 
the soil of Washtenaw were Frenchmen. 
Then ensues a long period of silence. 
French traders and Jesuit priests undoubt- 
edly visited the country shortly after this period, 
and continued so to do while the French domin- 



ion lasted. But the French were not seeking to 
colonize. -\s Judge Cooley. in his "History of 
Michigan," has well stated, "The primary ob- 
ject of French adventure in Canada were profit- 
able trade with the savages, and then conversion 
to the true faith of Christ. Every company of 
adventurers had its priests, and the eagerness of 
the traders for gain was more than equaled by 
the self-sacrificing zeal of the missionarv of the 
cross." The Jesuit priests early took possession 
of the missions in New France, and their aim 
was the conversion of the Indians, not the settle- 
ment of the comitry l)y Europeans. The English 
colonized. It was the object of the English to 
make, indeed, a new England, as near as possible 
like the merry England they had left, and peo- 
pled with the same kind of people. The I'Vench. 
on the other hand, wanted trade, and trade with 
the Indians. The French fur trader was natur- 
ally as unfriendly to colonization as were the 
Jesuit priests, who came solely as apostles to the 
Indians and did not wish the savages to add the 
vices of the civilized to those they already pos- 
sessed. The fur trader desired only posts enough 
to which he could take his furs and ha\e them 
transported to Europe. To cultivate the land 
would drive away the wild animals and 
Indian hunters, and this was inimical to tlie trad- 
er's fortunes. Hence it was that, near as Wash- 
tenaw is to Detroit, where a permanent French 
]iost was established in 1701, it was nearly a cen- 
tury and a quarter later before the first settlement 
was made in the county. 

In the meantime this was really Indian terri- 
torv. Claimed in letters by both Canada and 
New York, neither had much ground for their 
claims until Cadillac had established a French 
post at Detroit. But the Indians certainly had 
good claims and Washtenaw seems, at least some 
time before its settlement by the whites, to have 
been a happv hunting ground for the Indians, 
which several tribes used in common, rather than 
the home of any particular tribe. Cadillac, in 
his memorials to his government, has left us a 
description of the country about Detroit, which 
applies largelv to W^ashtenaw, as we gather from 
the meager accounts left by the few who trod 
its soil before the settler's ax and plow got in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



537 



tlu'ir work. Cadillac spoke of the vast prairies, 
of the natural orchards which "soften and bend 
their branches under the weight and quantity of 
their fruit towards the mother earth wdiich has 
produced them," w-hile "the ambitious vine, which 
has never wept under the pruning" knife, builds a 
thick roof with its large leaves and heavy clus- 
ters, weighing down the top of the tree which 
receives it, and often stifling it w^ith its embrace." 
The forest trees were large and straight, above 
them the courageous eagle soared, looking fixedly 
at the sun, swans were numerous in the rivers, 
elks and deer were plentiful. 

A letter w^ritten from Ann Arbor by a traveler 
from Upper Canada, who visited Washtenaw in 
1829. describes the appearance of the country 
si.x years after its first settlement, and accounts 
for its open appearance as follows : 

"The singular and interesting appearance of 
the country, in its alternating groves and fields. 
orchards, and timber lands, is a subject of inquiry 
with the specvdative mind. To me it has the ap- 
pearance of a highly improved district from 
which every vestage of art has been annihilated. 
It is supposed by many to have been produced 
by the labor and enterprise of the natives for the 
culture of Indian corn. This is very improbable. 
The character and habits of no tribe of Indians 
of which we have any knowledge in North Amer- 
ica would justify such an opinion. So far as mv 
observations and inquiries have extended they 
go to the support of the hypothesis that the fire 
annually communicated by the Indians for the 
pur])ose of hunting has produced the present 
prairies, plains and openings that diversify the 
whole face of the country. This will be the 
more readily admitted when the fact is known 
that the soil of the land on these openings or 
plains is universally sandy, or a mixture of sand 
and marl in such proportions as to render it 
porous. Consequently the rain or moisture of 
the surface is readily absorbed. \'egetation soon 
becomes dry and the fire, in its usual destruction 
of the undergrowth, makes gradual inroads upon 
the timber until not a shrub is left to the extent 
of this dry soil. The contrarj- of this is the efifect 
upon the clay or moist land. Here the water 
is retained upon the surface, the leaves are kept 



constantly moist, so that the fire makes little or 
no impression. Consequently the heavily tim- 
bered land is generally more or less clay, and is 
better adapted to the culture of wheat and grass 
than the plains, wdiich excel in the articles of 
corn, potatoes and all kinds of vines." 

Parkman. in his "Conspiracy of Pontiac," has 
given us a beautiful word picture of the appear- 
ance of this country before the advent of the 
white man. He says : 

"( )ne vast continuous forest shadowed the fer- 
tile soil, covering the land as the grass covers 
a garden lawn, sweeping over hill and hollow in 
endless undulation, burying mountains in ver- 
dure and mantling brooks and rivers from the 
light of day. Green intervals dotted with brows- 
ing deer, and broad plains blackened with bufifalo, 
broke the sameness of the woodlawn scenerv. 
Unnumbered rivers seamed the forest with their 
devious windings. Vast lakes w-ashed its boun- 
daries, where the Indian voyager, in his birch 
canoe, could descry no land beyond the waste of 
waters. Yet this prolific wilderness, teaming 
with waste fertility, was but a hunting ground 
and a Ijattle-field to a few fierce hordes of sav- 
ages. Here and there, in some rich meadow 
opened to the sun, the Indian squaws turned the 
mould with their rude implements of bone or 
iron, and sowed their scanty store of maize and 
beans. Human labor drew no other tribute from 
that inexhaustible soil. So thin and scattered 
was the native population that, even in those 
parts wdiich were thought well-peopled, one might 
sometimes journey for days together through the 
twilight forest and meet no human form. Broad 
tracts were left in solitude. A great part of Up- 
per Canada, of ^Michigan and of Illinois, besides 
other portions of the west, were tenanted by wild 
beasts alone. To form a close estimate of the 
numbers of the erratic bands who roamed this 
wilderness would be a vain attempt, but it mav 
be affirmed that, between the Mississippi on the 
west and the ocean on the east, between the Ohio 
on the south and Lake Superior on the north, the 
whole Indian population at the close of the 
French war did not greatly exceed ten thousand 
men." 

The Indians in Washtenaw at the beginninsf 



53H 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



of the nineteenth century were Pottawatomies, 
Chippewas or Ojibwas. Ottawas, and Wyandots 
or Hurons. The Pottawatomies were the most 
numerous and had the most trails. Many years 
previous to this time, the Assequin or Bone In- 
dians, and their allies, the Mascoutins or Little 
Prairie Indians, probably skulked through the 
forests. The Assequins were at one time at Mi- 
chelmackinac, and Schoolcraft, in his "Archives 
of Aboriginal Knowledge," says that, prior to 
1649 the Ottawas drove the Assequins from 
Michelmackinac and finally pursued them south 
"to the banks of the ^Vashtenaw, called l.i}- the 
French, Grand river." During this quarrel the 
Mascoutins allied themselves with the Assequins 
and, as we have seen. La Salle fell in with a 
tribe of them just before he struck the Huron 
river and made his elm bark canoes. It was the 
IMascoutins, together with the Ontagamies, who 
undertook to capture Fort Detroit in May, 171 2, 
but were driven away by the Ottawas and Hu- 
rons after the loss of a thousand warriors. The 
■Mascoutins are credited by Schoolcraft with the 
cleared fields and mounds on the banks of the 
Grand river. From southern Michigan they were 
driven by the Chippewas and Ottawas to Chi- 
cago, whence they fled to the south and west, 
and from whence no further trace of them can 
be found in Indian tradition ; and it is believed 
that they were absorbed by the Kickapoos whom 
thev closely resembled in traits and habits. 

The Indians in Washtenaw county in the eigh- 
teenth centurv had been drawn to this section by 
the French post at Detroit. Cadillac invitcfl them 
from the Mackinac region. B_\- the expulsion of 
the Assequins and Mascoutins, the southern 
peninsula of Michigan was cleared of all tribes 
adverse to the Algonquin rule, for the Wyan- 
dottes or Hurons as the French called them, were 
friends of the .\lgonquins, and it had been largely 
on this account that they had been driven from 
their original homes. This is the tribe for whom 
Lake Huron has been named, and, at a later date, 
the Huron river got its name from the same trilie 
which had a settlement on the banks of the Huron 
river. They affirmed themselves to have been 
the parent tribe of the Iroquois, but they were 
not a member of the confederacv, but were on 



very friendly terms with them. Their offense 
against the Five Nations was the aid they gave 
to tlie French and .\lgonquins. The Iroquois, 
with the exception of this tribe, were friendlv to 
the British, and when the Hurons sided with 
the French, the Five Free Nations ordered them 
to leave Montreal, which had long been the place 
for their council fires, and. after numerous en- 
gagements, drove the remnants of the tribe from 
the St. Lawrence valley about the middle of the 
seventeenth century. At the time of the break 
with the Five Nations they are believed to have 
numbered ten thousand. They lived in capacious 
dwellings of bark, had palisaded forts, were di- 
vided into tribes, and cross-divided into totemic 
clans. They were, in some measure, an agricul- 
tural people, bartering their sur]ihis maize with 
the surrounding tribes, usually receiving fish in 
exchange. In 1649 t''"^ Iro(|Uois stormed their 
largest villages and they fled, panic-stricken, 
some finding refuge with the French in Canada, 
others settling on the eastern shores of Lake 
Huron ; and, the Iroquois still threatening them, 
they fled beyond Lake .Superior, whence the Da- 
kotas drove them back and they took refuge at 
Mackinac, with the ,\lgonquin tribes, with whom 
thc\- have always maintained a close alliance. 
From thence they, in 1680. descended to Detroit, 
where they formed a jiermanent settlement and 
where, as Parkman puts it, "by their su]3erior 
valor, capacity and address they soon acquired a 
marvelous ascendancy over the surrounding Al- 
gonquins." 

The Ojibwas, or Chippewas as they latterly 
came to be called, the Pottawatomies and the Ot- 
tawas, were closely allied in blood, language, 
manners and character. They paid no attention 
to agriculture. They took no thought for the 
morrow. .At one time they would be gourged to 
repletion, and at another time they would be per- 
ishing from hunger. .Summer and winter they 
restlesslv wandered through the forests. The 
Chippewas were first found by the French at 
Sault Ste. Marie in 1640, when they were at war 
with the Sioux, whom they drove from the head- 
waters of the Mississippi. The French estab- 
lished missionaries among them and they became 
firm friends of the French as long as the French 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



539 



dominion in America lasted. They sided with the 
British in the Revokitionary war and the war of 
1812. At this time they occupied an undefined 
territory from the Straits of Mackinac to the 
Mississippi river. They have gradually ceded 
their land for annuities and still number about 
fifteen thousand, as they did at the time this 
country was settled. 

The Pottawatomies were another Algonquin 
race and their name signifies firemakers, referring 
to their secession from the Ojibwas and making 
fire for themselves. They spoke one of the rud- 
est dialects of the Algonquins. When first known, 
they were in scattered bands, apparently inde 
pendent and with no trace of civil government. 
They were wanderers, frequently at war with 
neighboring" tribes. The Iroquois drove them to 
Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Jesuits found 
them. The gradually spread over southern Mich- 
igan, and, as we have said, were probably the 
most numerous Indians in Washtenaw. The\' 
sided with the British in the Revolutionary war 
and the War of 1812. The whole tribe settled in 
Missouri in 1838. They again scattered, and 
part of them went to Mexico. There are now 
about fifteen hundred of them in the United 
States. 

The Ottawas, who were also Algonquins. were 
driven by the Iroquois from Canada in 1646. 
When the Iroquois overwhelmed the Hurons, 
the frightened Ottawas fled to Wisconsin and 
later beyond the Mississippi. Here they ran up 
against the Sioux who drove them back : part 
settled in northern Michigan, and part near De- 
troit. The greatest warrior of the Detroit 
branch was the celebrated chief Pontiac. This 
tribe is now scattered, the greater portion now 
being in the Indian Territory. 

After the expulsion of the Assequins and ^las- 
coutins, the Indians of southern Michigan were 
all friends. They had secured free use of the 
lakes and hunting grounds throughout the entire 
lower peninsula and as far south as the Ohio. As 
Schoolcraft, the greatest Indian authority, says: 

"There were no languages spoken but those 
derived more or less recently from the Algon- 
quins. This generic language was of mild and 
easy utterance and possessed a full vocabulary. 



containing but few sounds not readily enunciated 
by either the French or the English. The mem- 
bers of these tribes were people of good stature 
and pleasing manner, who readily adopted Euro- 
pean methods of conducting their traffic and 
transacting their business. They borrowed from 
the French the complimentary term Bon jour, in 
meeting, having in their own language no equiva- 
lent for that of 'good day.' There was no tribe 
in all the vast expanse of country named which 
did not, with equal ardor, recognize the French 
manners as the type of civilization and religion." 

All the four tribes named above as using 
Washtenaw as a common hunting ground, were 
among the tribes of Indians who overthrew Brad- 
dock in 1755. Their real affection was for the 
French, and a few years later Pontiac, an Ottawa, 
headed a great conspiracy which included all the 
tribes which hunted in Washtenaw as well as 
many others which had for its object the driving 
of the English from the Indian territory. At 
every post the Indians captured, orders were 
given to spare all Frenchmen, but to kill all the 
English. For months, Detroit was beseiged by 
hordes of the savages, and undoubtedly the game 
in Washtenaw was part of the subsistence which 
the Indians lived on. Detroit held out success- 
fully and the Indians somewhat sullenly submit- 
ted. 

In 1764, Schoolcraft estimates the Ilurons of 
Michigan to have numbered twelve hundred and 
fifty souls : the Pottawatomies seven hundred and 
fifty, the Chippewas sixteen hundred and the Ot- 
tawas of all localities thirty-five hundred. Most 
of the latter were out of Michigan, so that it 
can readily be seen how thinly populated was this 
vast expanse of territory. Within ten years of the 
first settlement of Washtenaw, there were twice 
as many white inhabitants in Washtenaw county 
alone as there had licen Indians in the whole of 
Michigan fifty years before. 

The French traders were undoubtedly frequent 
visitors in Washtenaw before its settlement, and 
Jesuit priests accompanied many of the Indian 
tribes wdio hunted here, but they have left no 
record of what they saw or did within the con- 
fines of the county. However, in 1809, the first 
trading post intended to be permanent was es- 



540 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tablishctl in the county by I^briel Godfrtiy, Fran- 
cois Pepin and Roniaine Da Chambre. three 
Frenchmen from Detroit, who located on the 
Pottawatomie trail at what is now Ypsilanti. At 
this time, the Indians were not nearly as numer- 
ous as they had been when the French govern- 
ment had possession of Detroit, and as to the 
white inhabitants one authority estimated that 
there were only four thousand souls in the lower 
peninsula of Michigan of whom over thirty-five 
hundred were French, nearlv all within the con- 
fines of Detroit. 

These French traders were not ordinary men. 
The pioneers of Washtenaw and their descend- 
ants do not seem to have half appreciated them 
or their work. In fact, they do not seem to have 
realized who or what they were. Col. Gabriel 
Godfrey was a man of means. He was a man 
of influence. He and his companions were firm 
friends of the Americans at a time when Ih-itish 
influence was dominant in Detroit, and both he 
and his two friends seem to have been great fa- 
vorites of the Indians. Col. Godfroy succeeded 
Judge \\'oodward, the first chief justice of Mich- 
igan territory as Colonel of the First Michigan 
Regiment. Gen. Harrison, who was afterward 
president, appointed Col. Godfroy Indian sub- 
agent and deputy superintendent of Indian af- 
fairs, which position he held until his death in 
1832. At the time he established the post at 
what is now Ypsilanti, Col. Godfroy was fifty- 
one years of age, for he was born in 1758 at Fort 
Ponchartrain. He was a devout Catholic, one 
of the head men in the Parish of St. Anne in De- 
troit. We find him accompanying the bishop. 
On June 15, 1795, his father deeded him, as the 
eldest son. the land lying between Twenty-first 
and Twenty-second streets in Detroit, "together 
with two slaves, seven oxen and cows, two horses, 
four hogs, a cart and trappings, a complete 
plough, two hatchets, two pickaxes, a complete 
harness, two furnished beds, a frying pan, a 
dozen plates, six silver spoons and forks, a silver 
goblet, and many other household articles," in re- 
turn for which Gabriel was "to lodge, feed, at- 
tend, and furnish fire and light to said Mr. 
Jacques Godfroy, his father, so long as he shall 
live, shall treat him well both in health and sick- 



ness, and in case of such sickness to give hinr. 
such attendance as is suitable, and furnish all 
necessary nursing, and when it shall please God 
to dispose of him, to bury him decently and cause- 
to be said fifty low masses for the repose of his 
soul." -Vbout this time we find Godfroy and tw» 
])artners spending five thousand pounds on twc>- 
mills in Detroit. In 1802, he took out a license 
for a ferry across the Detroit river. In 1803. 
he was appointed one of two assessors and a]3- 
praisers of Detroit, and he held this office from- 
June 7th to December 3d of that year. Pie pur- 
chased French claim No. 525 of two hundred 
acres at Dearborn, and also two hundred and 
sixty-eight acres in Detroit. In 1809, we find the 
supreme court of the territory meeting at the 
house of Gabriel Godfroy, Jr., his son. In 181 1,. 
he and his son-in-law, James McCloskey, are ap- 
pointed two of the five selectmen of Detroit. In 
1 81 4, he is trustee of St. Anne's parish. In 181 5. 
the records show that he has a large tannery in 
Detroit. In 1813, his house, in which .American 
prisoners were confined, is burned by the Indians- 
together with the prisoners after the battle of the 
River Raisin, and some indications are that this 
burned house may have been the first house he 
built in A'psilanti, although this can not be stated 
positively. Next we find him as an Indian agent, 
and Charles C. Trowbridge, of Detroit, describ- 
ing a journey to Chicago, says : "On my return 
from Chicago, I met at St. Joseph, Col. Gabriel 
Godfroy, an aged but vigorous French gentle- 
man, a sub-Indian-agent and interpreter, who- 
acted as guide for the remainder of our journey. 
We were several weeks on this trip and enjoyed 
it greatly." We find that Col. Godfroy was re- 
lied upon earlier for information relating to the 
Indians, that he was intrusted with messages toa 
important to be put on paper, and that his influ- 
ence over the Indians was evidently of immense 
value to the American pioneers. 

As Godfroy was a true friend to the Americans, 
so were Pepin and La Chambre, although they da 
not seem to have cut such a big figure in the 
early history. In 1786, we find, however, that 
Francois Pepin got a deed from the Pottawa- 
tomies for a big tract of land, which was con- 
firmed by another deed in 1796. This land he 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



541 



sold to one Aleldrum in 1797 for one thousand 
two hundred and eighty-six pounds. But it seems 
to have been a forced sale, as he had been ar- 
rested for debt by one McDougal, and this is 
made part of the charges against McDougal when 
it was sought to keep him from sitting in the 
legislative council. 

In 1795, Pepin is in high disfavor with the 
British authorities, who complain that both he 
and La Chambre, the other Ypsilanti trader, with 
some others, are in sympathy with the Yankees. 
Col. Burke complains that he sent a letter to the 
Pottawatomies to stir them up against the iVmer- 
icans and that it fell into the hands of Pepin who 
added this postscript to it : "My comrades : Y^ou 
know that I have always spoken to you as a 
brother and this time I am incapable of lying to 
you. He who writes this (Burke) is neither a 
Frenchman nor a priest, but a rascal who has 
been chosen by the English to deceive you." Pepin 
signed his name to this postscript and forwardecf 
the letter ; and Burke's superior, in forwarding 
Burke's dispatch, wrote of the impudent message 
sent to the Pottawatomies by a Canadian, who 
formerly traded with the Indians and who is now 
avowedly in the service of the United States, and 
threatened to do something to Pepin, if he could 
only lay hands on him. 

The trading post of Godfrey, rei>in and La 
Chambre was a rude log l)uilding on the west 
bank of the Huron. This building was burned 
between the years 1812 and 181 5, and its ruins 
were pointed out to Jonathan G. Morton in 1825 
by McCloskey, a son-in-law of Godfroy, and a 
band of twenty fellow trappers who were passing 
through Ypsilanti, as near the present corner of 
Huron and Pearl streets in Ypsilanti. Godfroy, 
after the burning of the first house, built a tem- 
porary trading house just north of what was 
afterward called the Arcade. 

The Indians called this trading house the Ota- 
wewigamig. At Ypsilanti the Indian trails for a 
wide expanse of country intersected, and the In- 
dians apparently regarded the banks of the Hu- 
ron with high favor. Hence the three French 
traders seem to have picked the very best place 
in the country to come into contact with the rov- 
ing Indians, and they undoubtedly did a lot of 
32 



hunting and trapping themselves. No game laws 
interfered with their pursuit, and no game war- 
den watched to see whether they shot in season or 
not, or limited the number of deer they could 
shoot. The Indians had a burial place at the foot 
of the hill from whence many a brave warrior 
was supposed to have started for the happy hunt- 
ing ground. Another burying ground was near, 
and large quantities of bones, arrows, stone 
hatchets and Indian ornaments have been dug 
from the soil in that locality. Two years after 
the first trading house was built, the traders con- 
cluded to make a permanent settlement, and what 
is known as the four French claims were pat- 
ented. This was before the government survey 
of Michigan, and these French claims were issued 
under the seal of President Madison, in accord- 
ance with an act of congress long since obsolete. 
These claims adjoined each other and were all in 
the vicinity of the trading post, and contained in 
all two thousand three hundred and fifty-nine 
acres. Section 690 of five hundred and sixty- 
two acres, was deeded to Gabriel Godfroy; sec- 
tion 691 of six hundred and twenty-two acres, 
was deeded to Romaine La Chambre ; section 680 
of six hundred and twelve acres, was deeded to 
Godfrey's children ; and section 690 of five hun- 
dred and sixty-one acres, to Francois Pepin. 

These hardy Frenchmen believed themselves 
on the outpost of civilization. They were the 
first to build a house west of Detroit. No sign 
of civilization was to be seen outside their clear- 
ing for miles and miles. Nor did they wish such 
signs. Their business and cultivation of the soil 
did not harmonize. The rapid advance of civili- 
zation put them out of business, and drove them 
from the country before the first settlement was 
made. The Indians left first. They no longer 
felt at home in Detroit, and the government 
wanted land for homesteading. The first gov- 
ernment survey of land in Michigan was made 
in 1816. The Indian title in Washtenaw county 
had been absolutely extinguished in 1807 by a 
treaty made by Gen. Hull at Detroit with the 
Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandottes and Pottawa- 
tomies, by which the Indians gave up the land 
where Washtenaw county is, together with Mon- 
roe and Wayne. The Saginaw treaty of 1818 and 



542 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the Chicago treaty of 1821 obliterated the Indian 
title to all the remaining land in Michigan south 
of the Grand river. The Indians, having sold 
this land, left for other territory farther west, 
and "Godfroy's on the Pottawatomie trail," as it 
had come to be known, was no longer a profitable 
trading post and was given up about 1820, three 
years before the first permanent settlement of the 
county was made. The Indians indicated their 
regard for Godfrey by stipulating that the United 
States should deed his children si.x hundred forty 
acres of land where he should select it. 

It seems probable that the French traders did 
not remain at their ])ost all the year. It is, in fact, 
more than likely that it was sinipl\- their winter 
residence during the hunting and trapping sea- 
sou. Nor is it likely that "tiodfroy's on the Pot- 
tawatomie trail'' was the only post that Godfroy 
had. We have seen that he was a man of means. 
embarking in large enterprises: and an did De- 
troit book, in s])eaking of him, says he established 
trading posts from Alonroe to Fort A'incennes, 
and that he was a member of the firm of Godfroy 
& Bengrand, one of the largest and best known 
firms of traders in the west. At any rate, during 
the time that his post in Ypsilanti was in oper- 
ation, he had a large tannery in Detroit and was 
holding office in Detroit and refusing to under- 
take the enforcement of the collection of certain 
taxes, because some people were not recpiired to 
pay as others were. Apparently Godfroy had the 
idea of equal and e.xact justice which goes to 
make up a good American. 

It is interesting to know what became of the 
four French claims at Ypsilanti. Romaine La 
Chambre assigned his claim to Gabriel Godfroy, 
Sr., June 28, 1814, and Godfroy sold the La 
Chambre claim to Henry I. Hunt on May 5, 1824. 
Hunt, in turn, sold it to John .Stewart on Ma\ 
29, 1824, and Stewart, with two others, proceeded 
to plat the village of Ypsilanti. Godfroy, with 
his wife, Monique (probably his third wife), sold 
on August 27, 1825, his own claim to Judge .-Vu- 
gustus W. Woodward, who united with Stewart 
and Harwood in laying out the village of Ypsi- 
lanti. The claim of Francois Pepin was sold at 
auction October 2, 1830, by Arden H. Ballard, 
administrator of his estate, to .\udrew McKin- 
strv for si.x hundred eightv-four dollars. The 



claim of the heirs of Gabriel Godfroy eventually 
found its way into the hands of Agur Clark, by 
deeds dated from November 20, 1830, to May 
28, 1832. Clark sold on December 17, 1838, the 
greater part to Alfred A. Hunter, who, on May 
I, 1841, sold to William C. LIunter, who, in turn, 
on December 3, 1849, sold to Julia A., wife of 
John Van Cleve. From the deeds we find that 
Godfroy had nine children : Susanne. wife of 
James McCloskev ; Pierre ; Mary Ann, wife of 
Joseph Yisger ; Josette, wife of John Smythe ; 
James Jacc|ues ; Richard : Sophia, wife of James 
R. Whipple; Theresa; and Alexander D. The 
latter was a minor in 1832 and the territorial leg- 
islature passed a special act allowing him to sell 
this land if his father approves of it. and later in 
the same year, his father evidently having died 
before giving approval, if the court should ap- 
prove. Susanne McCloskey had a daughter who 
married Judge Isaac P. Christiancy, of the Mich- 
igan su]5reme court. Pierre was called Prince 
( iodfroy, and his wife and her sister were consid- 
ered the two most l)eaiUil'ul women in the terri- 
tory. "Prince" (iodfroy once won a wa.ger 
by ])addling himself across the Detroit 
river in a wheelbarrow to visit his fiancee. 
Josei)li \'isger. whom Mary Ann (iodfroy 
married, was a man of some ])rominence. 
Josette. who married John .Smythe, after 
the death of her husband became a nun, and when 
she died was Mother Superior of the Order of 
the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Jacques was 
educated in Kentucky and married the daughter 
of Col. Francois Navarre, the first settler of 
^lonroe. Richard was prominent in the early 
history of (irand Rapids, where he was Indian 
agent in 1832. .\11 were loyal .\mericans. There 
is nothing to he found that would jirove that these 
children of Godfroy ever resided at Ypsilanti. In 
fact, it is not probable that they did, although un- 
doubtedly, the boys, at least, were often at the 
post. If Godfroy had his family residence at his 
trading post, then Alexander D. Godfroy, his 
youngest son, nuist have been born there, and this 
would deprive .\lpha Washtenaw Bryan of the 
honor of being the first white child born in the 
county. But the indications are that Godfroy 
maintained his residence in Detroit. 

\Miile there are no tales of battles on Washte- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



543 



naw soil that can be chronicled with certainty 
that they took place here, we know that, during 
the War of 1812, an armed body of men tra- 
versed the county. Just before Gen. Hull inglo- 
riously surrendered Detroit to the British, word 
was brought him b}- a messenger that Col. Brush 
was at the River Raisin near Monroe wdth sup- 
plies for his army. As the British commanded 
the Detroit river, he was unable to get through 
without an escort. The word could not be sent 
along the river, so the messenger, James Knaggs, 
long a resident of ^lonroe and one of the best 
scouts and shots in the country, carried the word 
to Detroit by way of what is now Ypsilanti. An 
Indian trail ran from "Godfroy's on the Potta- 
watomie trail" to the River Raisin at French- 
town, and it was along this trail that Knaggs 
hurried with his message. An attemjjt to send 
a force of Americans down the banks of the De- 
troit river met with defeat, and, on .\ugust 14. 
1812. Gen. Hull sent Colonels Cass and ]\Ic.\r- 
thur with three hundred fifty men by way of 
Godfroy's to escort the supplies to Detroit. With- 
out a moment's delay, the men hustled back over 
the Indian trails of Washtenaw, only to find that 
Detroit had been surrendered by the weak and 
vacillating general on August i6th, and that they 
had been included in the capitulation. 

It was over these same Indian trails in \\'ash- 
tenaw that the warriors had hurried to the battle 
of Frenchtown, and the massacre of the River 
Raisin in 1813, and some of the prisoners who 
were not massacred were undoubtedly kept by the 
Indians in the county and they were redeemed 
from captivity by the kind hand of Col. Gabriel 
Godfrey out of his own purse. 

When Washtenaw was finally settled, the pio- 
neers came with a rush, as great, considering the 
population of the United States in those days and 
the difficulty of transportation, as was the rush 
to Oklahoma in our days, when that country was 
thrown open to settlement. Why, then, it may 
naturally be asked, was it so long after ■Michigan 
was thrown open to settlement and four years 
after the Indian title in Washtenaw was extin- 
guished, before the first permanent settlement 
was made ? This question is not a new one. 
The pioneers of the county, wliu were delighted 



with the country, also asked it. In the 
very first paper published in the county, 
November 18, 1829, is a communication 
from a subscriber on the misrepresentation 
of ]\Iichigan. This was only six years after the 
first permanent settlement and the question is 
answered reasonably as follows : "Perhaps no 
part of the United States has been more generally 
misrepresented or less generally known than the 
peninsula of Michigan. Until within a few years 
it was generally believed to be one vast swamp, 
extending from lake to lake and perfectly unin- 
habitable, except in the immediate vicinity of De- 
troit and [Monroe. Geographers contributed to 
strengthen the popular prejudice against Michi- 
gan by representing it as such in the maps of the 
United States. This is accounted for by the fact 
that all information of the interior came from 
hunters and traders who wished to continue the 
monopoly they carried on with the natives. 

Nor were the hunters and traders in their na- 
tural endeavor to preserve these fine hunting and 
trapping grounds for their own use entirely to 
blame. Government officials ton lazy or too igno- 
rant for their work or who sought to do it at a 
distaiice. added greatly to the misinformation 
cm-rent. C)n March 6. 1812. congress set aside 
six million acres for the soldiers in the war with 
Great Britain, of which two million acres were 
to be surveyed in Michigan. Each soldier was to 
have one hundred sixty acres fit for cultivation. 
The government surveyors reported that there 
were no lands in Michigan fit for cultivation. This 
remarkable report runs as follows : 

"The country on the Indian boundary line from 
the mouth of the Great Auglaise river and run- 
ning thence for about fifty miles, is, with some 
few exceptions, low wet land, with a very thick 
growth of underbrush, intermixed with very bad 
marshes, but generally very heavily timbered with 
beech, cottonwood, oak. etc., thence continuing 
north and extending from the Indian boundary 
eastward, the number and extent of the swamps 
increase with the addition of numbers of lakes, 
from twenty chains to two and three miles across. 
Many of the lakes have extensive marshes adjoin- 
ing their margins, sometimes thickly covered with 
a species of pine called 'tamarack,' and other 



544 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



places covered with a coarse high grass, and uni- 
formly covered from six inches to three feet (and 
more at times) with water. The margins of 
these lakes are not the only places where swamps 
are found, for they are interspersed throughout 
the wdiole country and filled with water, as above 
stated, and varying in extent. The immediate 
space between these swamps and lakes, which is 
probably near one-half of the country, is, with 
a very few exceptions, a poor, barren, sandy land 
on wHich scarcely any vegetation grows, except 
very small scrubby oaks. In many places that 
part which may be called dry land is composed 
of little short sand hills, forming a kind of deep 
basins, the bottoms of many of which are com- 
posed of a marsh similar to the above described. 
The streams are generally narrow, and very deep 
compared with their width, the shores and bot- 
toms of which are, with a very few exceptions, 
swampy beyond description : and it is with the 
utmost difficulty that a place can be foimd over 
which horses can be conveyed with safety. 

"A circumstance peculiar to that countrv is 
exhibited in many of the marshes by their being 
thinly covered with a sward of grass, by walking 
on which evinced the existence of water or a 
very thin mud immediately under their covering, 
which sinks from six to eighteen inches from the 
pressure of the foot at every step, and at the 
same time rising before and behind the person 
jjassing over. The margins of many of the lakes 
and streams in a similar situation, and, in many 
places, are literally afloat. On approaching the 
eastern part of the military lands, toward the 
private claims on the straits and lake, the coun- 
try does not contain so many swamps and lakes, 
but the extreme sterility and barrenness of the 
soil continues the same. Taking the country al- 
together, so far as has been explored, and to all 
appearances, together with the information re- 
ceived concerning the balance, it is so bad there 
would not be more than one acre out of a hun- 
dred, if there would be one out of a thousand, 
that would in any case admit of cultivation." 

Plow different is this from Cadillac's glowing 
description of the country. And how different 
from the letters sent back east by the first actual 
settlers. Is it any wonder that the settlers of 



the War of 1812 preferred settling in some other 
locality ? 

Before the first settlement in the county, the 
permanent government of this section of the 
country had seen several changes. Up to No- 
vember, 1760, it had been French territory, al- 
though the British had laid claim to it, yet with- 
out in any way enforcing their claims. It was 
not delivered up to the LTnited States until July 
II, 1796, when the British flag was hauled down 
at Detroit. Yet constructively it was American 
territory before that and came within the im- 
mortal ordinance of 1787 "for the government of 
the territory northwest of the Ohio." Michigan 
was then a part of the Nortwest Territory from 
1787 to May 7, 1800, when Ohio was set off and 
the remainder of the territory was called Indiana. 
But the boundary line as fixed in 1800 between 
(Jhio and Indiana was from the mouth of the 
Kentucky river to Fort Recovery, and thence due 
north to Canada, so that what is now Washtenaw 
county was a part of the territory of Ohio from 
1800 to 1803, when Ohio was admitted as a state 
and the territory north of its present bounds was 
annexed to the Territory of Indiana. On June 30, 
1805, the Territory of Michigan was set off from 
Indiana. All these changes made very little 
difference to Washtenaw, as it yet had no white 
inhabitants. 

The boundaries of Washtenaw were defined in 
1822, at a time when there was not a single white 
person living within its boundaries. This was 
done by an act of the legislative council, and by 
a proclamation issued by Governor Lewis Cass 
on September 10, 1822. The limits of the county 
thus organized dift'ered materially from the pres- 
ent limits, as the new county contained forty 
towns instead of twenty as at present, and in- 
cluded besides the twenty present towns of Wash- 
tenaw, eight towns in Jackson, eight in Living- 
ston, and four in Ingham, that is, it included what 
are now the two eastern tiers of towns in Jackson, 
the two southern tiers of towns in Livingston, and 
the townships of Stockridge, White Oak, Ingham 
and Bunker Hill in Ingham. Governor Cass' 
proclamation stated that the territory described 
in technical terms, but which includes the towns 
described above, "shall form a county to be 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



545 



called the County of Washtenaw." It is declared 
that the County of Washtenaw shall be organized 
as soon as competent authority shall so determine, 
and that until then the County of Washtenaw 
shall ]>e attached to and comprise a part of the 
County of Wayne. It was not until 1826. or three 
years after its first settlement, that there were 
thought to be a sufficient number of inhabitants 
to organize the county, and in November, 1826, 
the legislative council passed an act to take effect 
December _^i, 1826. organizing the county. Sam- 
uel W. Dexter was appointed chief justice of the 
county Court and Oliver Whitmore associate jus- 
tice, and the first term of the court began on the 
third Miindax' in Januar}'. 182J, in the village of 
Ann Arbor. 

The legislative council of 1827 divided Wash- 
tenaw into three townships, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor 
and Dexter. The township of Ypsilanti included 
the present townships of Augusta, Ypsilanti. Su- 
perior and Salem. The township of Ann Arbor 
included what is now York, Pittsfield, Ann Arbor 
and Xorthfield in Washtenaw, and Green r)ak 
and Brighton in Livingston: while the tnwnship 
of Dexter included the remaining thirty towns. 
These three big townships were from time to 
time subdivided, and, in a few years, the county 
was confined to its present limits and divided 
into twenty townships, as at present. The County 
of Jackson was laid out in i82g, taking eight 
surveyed townships from ^^''ashtenaw, but was 
attached to Washtenaw until 1832. The County 
of Ingham was laid out in 1829, taking four 
townships from Washtenaw, but was attached 
to Washtenaw until 1838. The County of Liv- 
ingston was laid out in 1833. taking eight town- 
ships from Washtenaw, but was attached to this 
county until 1836. 

Washtenaw was the seventh county laid out 
in Michigan, being preceded by Wayne, Macki- 
nac, Monroe, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair. 

CHAPTER H. 

THE EARr.V SETTLEMENTS. 

After the French traders came tlie English 
settlers. Although in September, 1822, when the 



county was formed, there were no white inhabi- 
tants in Washtenaw, the advance guard 
(if the American settlers were coming into 
the comity to sp\- out the land; and. 
while the first settlement was actually 
made in 1823, a number of men had looked 
over the ground for eligible locations in 1822 and 
returned to the east to arrange for moving their 
families. The French claims had been given to 
Godfroy and his compatriots, and the first land in 
Washtenaw purchased from the government was 
in 1822. There were two purchasers that year, 
both evidently speculative, as neither of the pur- 
chasers ever resided in the county. The first 
|iurchaser iif land was Eli Kellogg, and he Ijought 
on July I, 1822, one hundred thirty-one acres, 
the south part of section 9, in what is now Ypsi- 
lanti city, near the French claims. He sold this 
land in February, 1824, to William Harwood. 
The second purchaser was Judge .Augustus Bre- 
vciort ^^'oodward, of Detroit, the chief justice of 
the territory, and the man wdio named Ypsilanti 
in 1S25. Judge Woodward, on .August 16, 1822, 
purchased eiglitv acres, being the west one-half 
of the northwest one-fourth of section 10, in what 
is also now Yp.silanti city, paying one hundred 
dollars for it. This land he sold to Lucius Lyon 
in 1825. Thus, when Washtenaw was laid out 
as a county, all the land within its boundaries was 
owned by the L^nited States government, except- 
ing the two thousand three hundred and fifty- 
seven acres owned by the French traders who had 
left the county, and two hundred eleven acres 
owned li\- two men who never resided within its 
borders. .\I1 of this land under private owner- 
ship was located in what is now either A'psilanti 
city or township. 

In 1823 there were fifteen purchasers of land 
in Ypsilanti. .Ann Arbor and Superior, and none 
in the remainder of the county. Major Benjamin 
J. Woodruff was the first purchaser in 1823 and 
he bought the west one-half of the northwest 
fractional one-fourth of section 15 in Ypsilanti, 
about sixty acres, on April 22 ; and six days 
later he bought one hundred and thirteen more 
acres in sections 15 and 22. Here he located the 
village of Woodruff's Grove, and is commonly 
accredited with being the first permanent settler 



546 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



of Washtenaw county. The second purchaser 
for the year was James McCloskey. possibly a 
son-in-law of the French trader Gabriel God- 
frey, and he bought that part of section 26 in 
Ann Arbor township which lies south of the 
Huron river, eighteen and seventy-one-hun- 
dredths acres, about a mile and a half from Ann 
Arbor city, towards Geddes, but on the Packard 
.street road. Titus Bronson, afterward the 
founder of Kalamazoo, was the third purchaser 
of the year, buying forty-five acres in section 15 
of Ypsilanti township. He. too, got close to the 
Huron river. On July 17th he also purchased 
an additional twenty acres on section 22 near his 
first tract. On June 7th Thomas .'^aclcridcr, a 
carpenter who built a house on his land the same 
year, bought eighty acres in section 10 in Ypsi- 
lanti town. Orente Grant bought, on June 30th, 
the one hundred acres in Ypsilanti town where 
he resided for eight years. Orrin White, on 
Julv 24th. bought one hundred sixty-two acres 
in section 27 of Ann Arbor town, adjoining Mc- 
Closkey's purchase, and was the first settler of 
Ann iVrbor town outside of Ann Arbor citv. It 
was about a year after his purchase before he 
settled upon the land with his wife and three 
children. John P)ryan, who came to Woodruff 
Grove with ]\Iaior Woodruff, on July 2gth, 
bought eighty acres in section 10, adjoining Sack- 
rider. On August 13th Hiram Tuttle, who came 
in Woodruff's party, bought seventy-two acres in 
section 23 of Ypsilanti town. On August 20th 
Hiram W. Johns bought seventy-one acres in 
sections 5 and 9 on the left bank of the Huron 
river in Ypsihnti, adjoining the Kellogg land, 
but was never identified with the history of the 
count}'. On September 26th David McCord 
bought eight}- acres in section 14 of Ypsilanti. 
On September 29. 1823, there were three pur- 
chasers of land. Robert Fleming, who built the 
first saw-mill in Washtenaw countv, the follow- 
ing year, purchased land in three townships. He, 
at least, was not going to put all his eggs in one 
Ijasket. On September 29th he bought seventy 
acres in section 24 of Ypsilanti, near Rawson- 
ville ; ninety-three acres in section 36, Ann Ar- 
bor, near Geddes ; and fortv-five acres in Supe- 
rior, adjoining his Ann Arbor land. . On the 



same day Harvey S. Snow bought eighty-five 
acres in section 24 of Ypsilanti, and Erasmus 
("luilford bought one hundred sixty acres in sec- 
tion 14 of Ypsilanti town. Snow's land is now 
Rawsonville, which for a number of years was 
known as Snow's Landing, and the Huron river 
was considered navigable to Snow's Landing. 
On October iith Daniel Cross bought seventy- 
eight acres in section 15 of Ypsilanti, moved on it 
the next spring, shortly afterward moved to Sa- 
line, then to Manchester, and finally back to Ypsi- 
lanti again. ( )n October 20th George W. Noyes, 
who shortly afterward moved to Ann Arbor, 
bought seventy-nine acres in section 15 in Ypsi- 
lanti town. He was the last purchaser for the 
year 1823 in Washtenaw county; and, in this 
year, the government had sold to thirteen pur- 
chasers in Ypsilanti one thousand one hundred 
ninety-three acres, to three ])urchasers in Ann 
.\rbor town two hundred seventy-four acres and 
fi:>rt\-five acres in Superior. Sixteen dift'erenf 
men had purchased lands in the county in 1823. 
The next year, the year of the settlement of Ann 
Arbor, the land office in Detroit did a big busi- 
ness and land was sold in the townships of Ann 
.\rbor, Ypsilanti, Superior, Xorthfield, Webster, 
Dexter, Scio, Pittsfield and Lodi. In Ann Arbor 
alone there were twenty-three ])urchasers of land 
from the Governinent, and in Ypsilanti fourteen. 
In this year Jnhn .Vllen and Elisha ^^'. Rumsey 
made the first settlement in Ann Arbor city, and, 
before the end of the year, quite a thriving village 
had been started. 

While there may be some question as to who 
first settled W'ashtenaw county, there seems to 
he no question that the first settlement was made 
in or near Ypsilanti. For, whether Gabriel God- 
frey and his companions, who established a trad- 
ing post in Ypsilanti, Ijuilt the first house and 
remained in the county for several years, be con- 
sidered as the first settlers, or that honor be given 
to Major Penjamin J. Woodruff", who headed a 
little party which settled at Woodruff's Grove in 
June, 1823, or to Eldridge Gee. who claims to 
have settled in section 33 in Superior in Febru- 
ary. 1823, the honor belongs to Ypsilanti or its 
immediate vicinity, for Godfrey erected his trad- 
ing post within the present city limits of Ypsi- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



547 



lanti, Wooclrulif built his house about a mile south 
of Ypsilanti, and Gee erected his shanty about a 
mile and a half north of Ypsilanti. 

A writer in the first paper published in the 
countv. in i82(), gives Major Woodruff credit 
for being the pioneer, and describes him at the 
time the writer penned the article as "high sher- 
iff" of the county. This seems to have been the 
generally accepted opinion. The claim that God- 
froy was the first settler is met by the assertion 
that, while it is true that he and his companion 
hunters and trappers erected the first building in 
in the county and even got deeds of the first land 
in the countv the\- were not realh' settlers since 
the\- pulled up stakes when the Indian left, and 
left Washtenaw without a single white inhabi- 
tant, and probably did not occupy the post the 
year round, even while here. As to Gee's claim : 
\\'hile it is undoubtedly true that he was in the 
county in 1823, the members of the pioneer soci- 
ety seem to have rejected his claim as being put 
forward at too late a date, and as not having been 
advanced by the orators at the earlier gatherings. 
There seems, however, no real reason to reject 
the truth of 'Sir. Gee's statement made in 1875. 
Nor does it seem hard to reconcile it with the 
statements of the early ])ioneers. For Mr. Gee 
was a squatter. He did not take up land from 
the government, and he was very soon evicted 
from the shanty which he built in Superior, bv 
the man who bought the land from the govern- 
ment, on which Gee had built without acquiring 
title. "The earlier settlers all dated the time of 
iheir settlement from the time they brought 
their families, and not from the time they first 
came into the county or located their farms or 
bought the land from the government. .\11 their 
written statements show this. Most of the ear- 
lier settlers came into the county the year pre- 
ceding what they always claimed as the time 
of their actual settlement, to spy out the land. 
Hence, as Gee did not bring a wife, did not buy 
the land on which he built, and onl\- staid on it 
a few months, and also, did not cut much of a 
figure in the early days of the county, it is not 
unnatural that they did not look at him in those 
days as the first settler." 

All that can be said about Mr. Gee's settle- 



ment is contained in the following statement b}' 
him read before the Pioneer Society in 1874: 

"I first visited Washtenaw county in 1822 in 
the month of June in company with Epaphras 
Matteson (my father-in-law), Joseph Young 
and Giles Downer. We started from Mrs. Dow- 
ner's house on the Rouge. The first night we 
put up in the French trading house. We took 
the river trail and went to where Mill creek 
nms into the Huron river. We then came back 
to where .\nn Arbor city now is and from there 
to Saline, from thence back to the French trad- 
ing house, and from thence to Mrs. Downer's. 
There were no white men residing in Washte- 
naw count\- then. The trading house had no oc- 
cupants. In February, 1823, I moved to Wash- 
tenaw county. I hired three men on the Rouge 
to help me through, ^^'e camped out three 
nights; on the fourth day I got to where I 
thought I would stop. It was on the east half 
of the northeast quarter of section 33 in the 
township of Superior. I first built a shanty o^ 
some board I brought along, and in about six 
months built a house. It was the i4tli of Feb- 
ruarv when I got to where I built. I remained 
there fifteen or sixteen months, when I was or- 
dered out of the house I had built, by Philip 
Sines, who bought the lot I was staying on from 
the United .States, I having neglected to enter 
the lot. I then moved to Woodruff's Grove. 
Mr. .Stiles took me in. About the ist of June 
John Dix called on me to go to Dixboro. I 
went nuself liut did not move my family imtil 
after the 4lh of July. Dix had a shanty. I 
moved to Di.xboro and while there Mr. Matte- 
son bought the east of the southeast quarter 
of section 13, township of -Vnn .Vrbor. July 24. 
1824. I assisted Mr. Matteson in building a 
house directly after the lot was bought and 
moved into the house with him. I was at the 
celebration of the Fourth of July, 1824. It was 
held at B. J. ^^'oodruft''s house in the grove. 
The meeting was held on Saturday, July 3d. It 
has been stated that there were but twenty -nine 
persons in \\'ashtenaw then and that they were 
all there. That is a mistake. There must have 
been at least one hundred persons in Washtenaw 
tliat day, young and old. I built the first house 



548 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



in Washtenaw county, except the French trad- 
ing house. Benjamin J. Woodruff, Orente 
Grant. Robert Stitt, David Beverly and Mr. 
Stiles came in the summer after I built my house, 
Benjamin J. Woodruff laid out a village called 
Woodruff's Grove, about four miles south of my 
house. I came with two sleds and drove the 
first team into Washtenaw county. Woodruff 
and his compan\- came up the river in boats. 
Philip Sines bought the lot I first built on, on 
May 19, 1824. I was seventy-four years old 
February 6, 1875. I am quite feeble, pretty 
much broken down and reside at Dundee." 

As will be seen by Mr. Gee's statement, he 
was twenty-two years old when he built what he 
terms his shanty. 

Major Benjamin J. Woodruft''s settlement was 
more pretentious. He came not merely to found 
a home, but to lay out a village ; not merely to 
find some ])lace where he could raise food suffi- 
cient for his family, but to found a fortune ; he 
came not alone, but at the head of a party who 
were to constitute the first inhabitants of his 
village. He was the first purchaser of property 
in Washtenaw who settled upon the land he pur- 
chased. He was afterward the first justice, the 
first postmaster and the first sheriff. Most of 
the older settlers of Washtenaw who have writ- 
ten on the subject say that he was the first settler 
in the county. The date of his settlement is 
put down as July 6, 1823, on which day he, his 
wife, six children and a domestic moved into 
the house he had built on land bought from the 
government the preceding April. Major Wood- 
ruff and his party of men who came from Ohio 
arrived at Ypsilanti in April or May, 1823, be- 
gan the construction of his house June ist, and, 
while the house was building. Woodruff returned 
to Ohio for his family, and got back to occupy 
the new house, which had by this time been com- 
pleted, July 6th. 

The recollections of pioneers differ as to who 
constituted Woodruff's original party. We have 
seen that Gee states the party to have consisted 
of Woodruff, Orente Grant, Robert Stitt, David 
Beverly and Mr. Stiles. The County History 
published in 1880 names the party as Woodruff, 
Stitt, Beverly and John Thayer and Titus Bron- 



son. Hon. John Geddes, who came to the county 
in 1825, puts Hiram Tuttle in the original party. 
Mrs. Alvin Cross, who came to Woodruff's 
Grove in the spring of 1824, furnishes in her 
recollections the longest list, making the original 
party to consist of eight. She leaves out Stitt, 
Thayer and Bronson. As Mrs. Cross lived in 
the family of Mr. Grant, in the neighborhood 
from which Mr. Woodruff" came, and joined the 
party within a few months, her opportunity for 
obtaining exact information was naturally better 
than others. She is the only pioneer who left a 
detailed account of the first settlement, and it is 
here given as she wrote it, the reader being 
warned that, as at the time of tlie settlement she 
was eighteen years old and a member of Mr. 
Orente Grant's family, she would naturally be 
apt to magnify Mr. Grant's part in the settle- 
ment. 

"Mr. Grant owned a large prairie farm, not 
far from Sandusky. Ohio, which was well culti- 
vated and valuable. Unfortunately the title was 
not good, and, after paying for the land, im- 
proving it, stocking it, etc., he was obliged to 
give it up. Three years were allowed him in which 
to provide a new home, and he determined that 
it should be situated where no previous title 
should disturb him — in the wilds of Michigan. 
At the time of which I write there resided on a 
part of Mr. Grant's farm a Mr. Benjamin J. 
Woodruff", pettifogger and school teacher, whose 
wife had just fallen heir to several hundred dol- 
lars from her grandfather's estate. They wished 
to invest this in a home where land was cheap, 
and he decided to accompany Mr. Grant. A 
wagon was loaded with provisions, and, driving 
!\Ir. Grant's large stock of cattle, they started 
for Monroe. 

"The company consisted of four men, Messrs. 
Woodrufl' and Grant, \\'illiam Eichlor, who was 
Mrs. Woodruft"'s brother, and Hiram Tuttle, a 
neighbor who also had cattle to drive. At Mon- 
roe they sold the cattle, reserving only such as 
would be needed on the farms which they in- 
tended to ]nirchase. Here also they were joined 
by four men, Mr. Stiles, Mr. Willard Hall, Mr. 
George Hall and Captain Fair, who were fishing 
at Monroe. These men were former acquaint- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



549 



ances of Woodruff and Grant, and were familiar 
with the new country along the course of the 
Huron river, having been up as far as a place 
called Godfroy's trading post, now city of Ypsi- 
lanti. From their representations it was thought 
best to view that part of the territory, and thither 
the company proceeded, leaving Mr. Eichlor in 
charge of the cattle and provisions. After set- 
tling and locating their fanns, it was necessary 
to return to Monroe for the oxen and provisions, 
leaving Mr. Stiles and his party to subsist by 
hunting and fishing until their return, they being 
the only white inhabitants of the region. 

"On the 1st of June, 1823, they were ready to 
commence the building of Mr. Woodruff's house. 
The unbroken forest lay before them, and with 
the sound of their axes began the new settlement 
afterward called Woodruft''s Grove. When the 
work was well commenced, Woodruff and Grant 
went back to Ohio, leaving the building to be 
finished by the others of the party, under the 
supervision of Mr. Tuttle. Mr. Woodruff in- 
tended to return with his family — which consisted 
of wife, six children and hired woman, ]\Irs. 
Snow — before the 4th of the next month, that 
they might celebrate the great national holiday 
in their new home. They failed to accomplish 
this, not arriving until the sixth, and the festivi- 
ties were postponed until the following year. 

"Detroit was their only postoffice, and wishing 
a more definite address for letters, Mr. Woodruff' 
visited the city, and after consulting with the 
governor, gave the settlement the name of 
Woodruff's Grove. He then purchased a boat 
which was their only means of procuring sup- 
plies of provisions, lumber, etc.. until fall, when 
a road was cut through to Detroit. 

"Early in the following spring of 1824 Mr. 
Grant made preparations to return with his fam- 
ily, which consisted of Mrs. Grant, a young girl 
named Jane Johnson, and myself. Mr. Tuttle's 
wife and child were also of our companv. We 
shipped at a small place called \'enice, in the ves- 
sel Costello, and took with us provisions enough, 
as Mr. Grant supposed, to last until crops could 
be raised. There were four bushels of flour, one 
barrel of meal, one of shelled corn, one of honey, 
two barrels of potatoes, one barrel of wheat, one 



cask of pork, one barrel of oats, and a large box 
of beans and garden seeds. We also had a lialf 
barrel in which were carefully packed in moist 
earth and moss small apple trees, current bushes, 
rose bushes, lilac, snowball, and other shrubs. 
There was also a large box of carpenter's tools 
and such bedding and furniture as was consid- 
ered most necessary. 

"We were three days in reaching Detroit: there 
we were obliged to wait three days for the 
boat to come up from the Grove after us. We 
were six days in reaching the Grove, stopping 
the first night at Willard's tavern. The second 
day we reached the mouth of the Huron and 
stopped at a French house. The third night we 
were kindly entertained at the house of a half- 
breed named Parks. The next day we reached 
King's settlement : this was Saturday, and here 
we spent the Sabbath, the men who poled the 
boat being glad to rest. Monday night we camped 
in the woods ; and Tuesday about noon reached 
our destination, on the flats about half a mile 
from the Grove where ^Ir. Tuttle had prepared 
a home for his family. When we were ready to 
land, the men began to exchange smiling glances, 
and ]\Irs. Tuttle and Mrs. Grant began to cry, 
realizing all at once that this wilderness must 
now be to them home. Jane and I were too 
young and too light-hearted to sympathize with 
such feelings, and gayly started to .see the house, 
but soon returned, not being able to find anything 
but a small building, which we supposed to be a 
sheep pen. Our ignorance was quite excusable, 
for the low. rough log pen, without floor or 
windows, did not resemble a human habitation. 
It taxed our ingenuity to ])repare dinner on a 
fire of blazing logs built at one end of the room. 
There was no fireplace and no chimney, a hole 
in the roof allowing the smoke to escape. i\Irs. 
Woodruff' came down before night to welcome 
the new arrivals and I returned with her. That 
night I first heard the howling of wolves and 
was unable to sleep. Next morning, as I stood 
in the door of Mr. W'oodruff's house and looked 
around, I felt homesick. 

"During the previous fall several families had 
been added to the settlement. Daniel Cross, John 
Brvan, Mr. Noves, and ]\Ir. Brainard. There 



550 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



were HOW in si,t;'ht eight small log huts, built in 
the same manner as Mr. Tuttle's, except that 
those of Messrs. Bryan, Cross and Woodruff had 
rough floors and stick chimneys. Mr. Grant's 
house was the one occupied by Mr. Stiles, and 
as soon as Stiles could move onto his farm, Mr. 
Grant came to the Grove to live. George Hall 
and his brother and a Mr. Beverly had built on 
the west side of the river near the place now 
occupied by the paper mill. 

''Work now began in earnest. Roads were cut 
in different directions, a landing made for boats 
where Ransomville now is, land cleared, etc. 
In May Mr. Jason Cross and his brother-in-law 
Avery came in. They both had families of grown- 
up children who were quite an addition to the 
working force of the ]ilace. Mr. Grant owned 
the farm now (1875) belonging to Mr. E. King, 
and there are still standing there some of the 
apple trees we brought from Ohio. On the Tut- 
tle and Grant farms were old Indian corn fields, 
which were easily put under cultivation. Mr. 
Woodruff did not work on his farm but rented 
it and gave up his time to hel])ing people who 
were coming in. 

"The Indians passed through the place in 
1824, the company numbering between three hun- 
dred and fifty and four hundred, all marching 
in single file. They were peaceable and inof- 
fensive, and continued so until they were fur- 
nished whiskey by the white people. Deer were 
plenty and bears, wolves and wildcats abounded. 
Venison was the most common article on our Ijill 
of fare. 

"A few logs, together with Ijark scattered 
around, which had the appearance of having been 
used for a roof, was all that remained of God- 
froy's trading post, in the spring of 1824. Near 
by this, an the banks of the river, was a fine 
spring, and here a Mr. Stewart built the first 
house on the west side of the river in Ypsilanti. 
Others soon joined him and r|uite a settlement 
sprang up during the summer. 

"Mr. Woodruff sent out an invitation to every- 
one in the county to celebrate the Fourth of Julv 
(1824) at the Grove. He brought up from De- 
troit such articles for dinner as were considered 
necessary, and could not be found in the .settle- 



ment. Among these were loaf sugar, cheese, 
raisins, rice and last, but not least, a half barrel 
of whisky. Mrs. Woodruft"s oven was the only 
one in the place. It was built out of doors, of 
stone plastered with mud. Here the baking was 
done. All joined in thq work of preparation. A 
beef was killed, and when the meat was ready to 
roast, the oven and even bake kettle were already 
full. Logs were rolled together and a fire quickly 
made out of doors. Two large kettles were 
turned over on their side before this fire, and on 
sticks laid on these the meat was roasted to per- 
fection. 

"The company gathered in Mr. Woodruff's 
yard where a log had been set up to resemble a 
cannon ; on this the boys fired their rifles and 
ushered in the day with wonderful salutes. From 
a stump near by Mr. Woodruff read the Declara- 
tion of Independence and made a speech. Then 
all who could sing joined in singing "Hail Co- 
lumbia,"' and we were ready for dinner. Our" 
table was made of rough boards covered with 
the whitest and smoothest of home-made linen. 
We were all proud of our success in preparing 
the dinner, and it certainly was very inviting. 
There were chickens and roast beef, new potatoes, 
green peas and beets, warm biscuit with butter 
and honey, cheese, rice puddings and loaf cake, 
both well filled with raisins. The following were 
the names of those who partook of the dinner, as 
nearly as I can remember : Mr. Woodruff and 
family, Mr. Grant and family, Mr. Hiram Tuttle 
and family, Mr. John liryan and family. Judge 
Fleming, Arden H. Ballard, Thomas Sackrider, 
David Stiles, David McCord, Saunders, Beverly, 
Leonard Miller, Captain Fair, J. Stoddard, Or- 
ange Crane, J. jMalheu, Wm. Eichlor and W. W. 
Harwood. The dinner passed off well and Delia 
Woodruff (afterward the wife of A. H. Bal- 
lard I and I had the hot sling ready for toasts. 
This ^\'as new work for us and we forgot our 
instructions and put in a double portion of whis- 
ke}'. The effect of this mistake was soon appar- 
ent on the toast drinkers, in increased liveliness 
and good humor. Everything passed oft" pleas- 
antly and in the afternoon we were joined by Mr. 
Mallett and his sister from Brownstown. Mr. 
Mallett was the fiddler and we had a lively dance 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



551 



in the evening being joined by others who had 
not been present at the dinner. Harmony and 
good fellowship reigned throughout the day, and 
it was a time long to be remembered by those 
present. 

"Death visited the settlement that summer 
(1824) for the tirst time and cast a gloom over 
every heart. .V \oung Irishman named Oakman, 
who had come to the place with John Phillips, 
was taken sick and lived but a short time. Chills 
and fever now commenced and some families 
were not able to do anything for themselves. 
Mrs. Woodruff made a large kettle of porridge 
every da_\- and sent me with it to those who were 
sick. The supplies brought with us were divided 
with those whom sickness liad made destitute, 
and were soon exhausted. Money was scarce 
and we now began to see hard fare. The corn 
yielded well, but there was no way to grind it. 
Hulled corn was our staple for a long time. 
Those who had been able to work had made gar- 
dens and raised plenty of turnips and some beans 
and potatoes. In the winter mortars were made 
by burning a hollow in the top of stumps, where 
the corn was placed and p(iunded with a pestle 
fastened to a pole, which worked like a well 
sweep. The fine and the coarse parts of the 
pounded corn were carefully separated, the fine 
being used for bread, the coarse for samp. Air. 
Cross and Mr. Grant had each sown wheat, and 
after harvest we had pounded wheal which was 
a welcome change. The cold weather abated the 
sickness and we beguiled the long winter even- 
ings b\- meeting together at the different houses 
to dance, sing and play. This was enjoyed by 
old and young, and was an excellent prevention 
of homesickness, a disease we carefully guarded 
against. Work again progressed, fields were 
cleared, dooryards enclosed, and by spring Ama- 
riah Rawson had a saw-mill running at the land- 
ing (now Rawsonville). The surrounding coun- 
try was rapidly settled : wild animals were not 
so ninnerous. 

"The first grist mill built in the county was bv 
Major Woodruff aliout half a mile down the 
Huron river from the Grove. It was built of 
hewn logs ; the building was some twenty bv 
thirty feet square, and he commenced running 



the mill in the fall of 1825, and it was a day of 
rejoicing among the settlers, who had a hard 
time previous to this to prepare their corn fit for 
use." 

In the autumn of 1823 Mrs. John Bryan ar- 
ri\-ed from Geneseo, New York, with the first 
o.x team to come through from Detroit. Mrs. 
Brvan has left the following description of their 
arrival : 

"After a wearisome journey of four days, 
through the thick woods and marshes — husband 
cutting the wood before us with an ax — we ar- 
rived at night on the beautiful Huron, October 
27,, 1823. We got the privilege of staying in a 
log cabin with another family until we could 
build one, into which we moved the last day of 
December. Eight weeks after this (February 
27, 1824) my son Alpha was born. We called 
him Alpha ^\'ashtenaw — the latter name in honor 
of the county, and the former on account of his 
having been the first child born in the county. 
He was promised a lot of land, Inil never re- 
ceived it. 

"It was amusing the first fall and winter to 
hear the ci.irn mills in operation every morning 
before daylight. There were two in the settle- 
ment. They were made as follows : A hole was 
burned in the top of a sound oak stump ; after 
scraping this clear from coal, a stick, about six 
feet long and eight inches in diameter, was 
rounded at one end and hung by a spring pole 
directly over the stump ; a hole was bored through 
this pestle for handles, and now the mill was 
done. .\ man would pound a peck of dry corn 
in half an hour, so that half of it would pass 
through a sieve for bread ; and very little of any 
other kind of bread was used in the settlement 
for two \ears. Sometimes for weeks together 
we had nothing to eat but this sort of bread and 
[jotatoes. 

"^^'e saw but few Indians the first year; but 
the next summer thev came through our place 
b\- hundreds. Ever\' morning they would go to 
every house begging for something to eat. As I 
was much alone and a quarter of a mile away 
from anv house, many times when I saw them 
coming I have instantly put my table out of 
sight ; I could not feed them without robbing my 



552 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



children. It was enough to make one's heart 
ache to see the condition of these poor Indians. 
Sometimes there would be six hundred in a 
drove, going to Detroit or Maiden for presents, 
which they would soon part with for whiskey." 

The first permanent settlement, as has been 
seen, was made near the present city of Ypsilanti, 
in 1823. The second permanent settlement was 
made in 1824 in what is now the city of Ann Ar- 
bor and the two pioneer settlers were John Allen 
and Elisha Walker Rumsey. The)' were also 
the first to actually plat a village in Washtenaw 
and they played a prominent part among the pio- 
neers who were fast taking up the available land 
in the county. They met in Cleveland, Ohio, in 
January or Februar)', 1824. Allen came from 
\'irginia and Rumsey, who was accompanied by 
his wife, from New York. ISoth were looking 
for an eligible site to start a town and concluded 
to locate together. So, in February, Allen, Rum- 
sey and his wife, and Benjamin Sutton, of New- 
Jersey, who was also looking for a location, 
started out from Detroit on horseback. Thev 
crossed Swartz creek and Tonquish plains and 
continued on together to what is now Plymouth, 
where the Indian trail forked, and here they sepa- 
rated. Allen and Rumsey and his wife took the 
south fork and continued on to what is now Ann 
Arbor. Sutton took another trail and located at 
what is now called Sutton's Corners in Northfield, 
about five miles from Ann Arbor. 

John Allen belonged to an old Virginia family 
and he was born in Augusta county in that state. 
May 17, 1796, and was consequently twenty- 
eight years of age when he aided in founding 
Ann Arbor. He was the first postmaster of Ann 
Arbor, held numerous offices including that of 
senator from 1845 to 1848, at one time owned 
thousands of acres in the western part of the 
state, which he lost. He finally went to Cali- 
fornia with the gold seekers in 1850, and died 
there March 11, 1851. Elisha Walker Rumsey 

was years old when, with Allen, he located 

Ann Arbor. He died in Ann Arbor in 1827, and 
his tombstone is now in Forest Hill cemetery, 
and bears the inscription : "The first settler in 
Ann .\rbor." .\fter many years, during which 
Rumsey's memory had been respected in Ann 



Arbor, documents were filed with the State Pio- 
neer Society which stirs up old and forgotten 
scandal. These documents, which are nothing but 
remembrances of old citizens of New York, put 
forth the claim that Elisha Walker Rumsey's real 
name was Walker Rumsey, the Elisha being 
added after he came to Michigan. They made 
the claim that \\^alker Rumsey had run away to 
Canada from Hethany, New York, with three 
thousand dollars given him by an Albany firm to 
buy cattle, deserting his wife and taking with 
him a grass widow named Ann Sprague. liut, 
finding that he would fare worse in Canada than 
in the states, he went to Michigan, where a voung 
lawyer found him and took him back to Albany, 
where he succeeded in settling the charge of em- 
bezzlement. After his release he lived at Bethany 
with Ann Sprague, described as "a smart, fine 
looking woman," as his wife. But opinion in 
Bethany was so strongly against the couple that 
they pulled up and came to Ann Arbor, where his 
brother Henry Rumsey afterward followed him 
and rose to prominence. This scandal has been 
published in the pioneer collections of the state, 
and, as the parties have all passed away, there 
has been no one to deny it. 

John Allen aiuiounced in Buft'alo, before he 
had met Rumsey, that he was going west to found 
a <-own. When he met Rumsey in Cleveland, he 
found that he was on the same errand, and they 
decided to locate together. While the first house 
was built for Rumsey, as Rumsey was accompa- 
nied by his wife, the Ann Sprague spoken of 
above. Allen may be regarded as taking the 
leading part ' in the settlement of Ann Arbor. 
While Rumsey bought one hundred sixty acres 
of section 2Q. .Allen bought four "nundred eightv 
acres, and it was Allen who laid out the village 
of Ann Arbor and recorded the |)Iat in Detroit, 
Alay 25, 1824, Rumsey died within three years 
of his coming to Ann .Arbor, while Allen took 
part in the pioneer work and saw the vilkige grow 
to large proportions, witnessed the formation of 
the state constitution on the very land which he 
had located, and was honored with a number of 
offices before he went farther west, once more in 
search of fortune. 

It was on February 12, 1824, that Allen and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



553 



Ramsey purchased six luindred forty acres of 
the present site of Ann Arbor. The exact date 
in February at which they arrived in Ann Arbor 
has not been handed down to us. On their arri- 
val here they pitched their tent, which was made 
with poles arched over the sleigh box, covered 
with boughs of trees and a rag carpet, near Al- 
len's creek, and on the south side of Huron street. 
An Indian trail followed the east bank of Allen's 
creek. Here it was said had been the ancient 
dancing ground of the Pottawatomies. The pio- 
neers found a good spring of water on the exact 
spot where the Walker house on Miller avenue 
now stands, a spring which was used by all the 
early settlers. Before the building which now 
occupies the site of the spring could be erected, 
the water supplying the spring had to be drained 
away by tiling. The main part of Ann Arbor was 
then a beautiful burr oak plain. It was midwin- 
ter. However beautiful the oak opening, or cozy 
the tent of boughs and rag carpet, it is natural 
that no time would be lost in erecting the first 
house for the first woman, Mrs. Rumsey. As 
quickly as it could be built, Rumsey's house was 
erected on what is now the southwest corner of 
Huron and First streets. It was, of course, a 
log house. John Geddes, who first saw Ann Ar- 
bor, July 14, 1824. describes the house as one 
story high, with an additional log block on the 
side, one and a very low half storv high with no 
rafters and no roof on it. He says this was then 
the only house here and that John Allen was 
putting up in a tent north of the house, while 
Rumsey and his wife occupied the house and en- 
tertained people who came viewing the land. This 
house was afterward called the Washtenaw Cof- 
fee House, and Mr. and Mrs. Rumsey ran it as 
a tavern. 

The second house was built by John Allen of 
hewn logs on the northwest corner of Huron and 
Main streets, where the Ann Arbor Savings Bank 
now is. This house was painted a blood red, and 
for a long time the corner was known as "Bloody 
Corners." Mr. Allen, having completed his house, 
sent for his wife and wrote her that his house 
then contained twenty families. She expected to 
find a very large hotel, but when she got here 
she found that the only partitions were of 



blankets. Mrs. Ann Isabella Allen, John Allen's 
wife, did not come alone. Accompanying her 
were John Allen's father and mother, James and 
Elizabeth Allen, their son James T. Allen, and 
]\Ir. and iNIrs. John Allen's daughter, Sarah A., 
together with two children of John Allen, by a 
former marriage. James C. and Elizabeth M. C. 
Allen. W'hh them, also, came Orville Barnes, of 
New England, who had been teaching school in 
Mrginia. This party of eight left Augusta county, 
A'irginia, August 28, 1824, and arrived in Ann 
Arbor, October 16, 1824, and at once took quar- 
ters in the new block house in "Bloody Corners." 

At the time of the arrival of the Allen family 
at their home in Ann Arbor, the father, James 
Allen was fifty-three years old and his wife was 
forty-nine, while John Allen's wife, one of the 
Anns after whom the city was named, was twenty- 
eight years old. James Allen died in 1828 and 
his wife died here in 1861. Mrs. Ann Allen died 
in Virginia in 1875. James T. Allen was twenty 
years old when he came here, while John Allen's 
son James C. was eight years old. James T. 
Allen was county clerk in 1830. He died in Chi- 
cago, December 22, 1890. James C. Allen died 
in Ann Arbor. 

But before John Allen's family arrived, there 
were still other settlers in Ann Arbor. That 
spring, Mr. and Mrs. Asa L. Smith and child, 
a little girl one year old, arrived on foot through 
the woods, bringing on their backs all their 
earthly possessions, and with just one shilling in 
their pockets. Mr. Smith was a carpenter and it 
did not take him long to build a house a short dis- 
tance west of Allen's house. The early settlers 
of -\nn .\rbor seem to have been marrying men, 
for Mrs. Smith was also a second wife. They had 
been marrried for two years and were still a 
young couple, he being thirty-two years old and 
she twenty-six. They arrived in Ann Arbor May 
29, 1824, Mrs. Smith being the second white 
woman and her child the first white baby in Ann 
Arbor. Poles were driven in the ground and 
blankets suspended to keep out the chilly night 
air, but it did not shut out the bowlings of the 
wolves which yet frequented the new settlement. 
Soon Mr. Smith had a hut built of poles and 
covered with bark pulled from the forest trees. 



554 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



and about the first of October he had buih and 
moved into his log hut on Main street, north of 
Ann street. He soon sold this house and built 
another, and so in his first seven years he moved 
his famil\- thirteen times, each time selling his old 
home to a new settler. He is supposed to have 
built the first frame house in the town in 1828. 
He built the first school house. He also built the 
first brick block on the north side of the city on 
the corner of Broadway and Canal streets. He 
died at his home in the fifth ward, February 13. 
1844. His wife, the intrepid woman who, with 
her year-old baby, accompanied her husband on 
foot through the wilderness, married in 1849. 
Casev IMcI-Cay, and lived in Kalamazoo county 
until her second husband's death in 1861, when 
she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Martha 
Ann Hickman, of Battle Creek, where she died 
in 1888, at the advanced age of ninety years. Mrs. 
Smith's maiden name was Serena Irms, and she 
was a native of Unadilla, New York, while Mr. 
Smith was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Their 
child, Elisha Walker Rumsey Smith, was the first 
white child born in Ann .Vrbor, his birth being 
on Novemlier 24, 1825. He did not live long, 
dying April 5, 1827. 

In September, 1824, John Harford opened a 
store in Ann Arbor in John Allen's block house 
on the present site of the Ann .\rbor Savings 
Bank, the first store in Ann Arbor. Several 
months later Cyrus Beckwith brought another 
stock of goods to Ann Arbor and ojiened another 
store. David and Jonathan Ely had a store here 
before May, 1827. when Edward Clark came to 
Ann Arbor and opened up a general store on the 
east side of Main street near Washington street. 
The next year, Mr. Clark, afterward General 
Clark, built a two story frame store building on 
the opposite side of the street. Hethcott Mowrv 
opened his store in 1830, Edward M\mdy, af- 
terward lieutenant-governor and acting governor 
of Michigan, opened his store in 1831 and John 
Thompson began his store the same year, \bout 
this time William S. Maynard. the merchant 
prince of early Ann Arbor, also opened his store. 

In June, 1824, George W. Noyes and wife, who 
had come to Woodruiif's Grove some six months 
previously and who had, while there, on May 24, 



1824, bought from the government the first land 
pvirchased in Pittsfield, removed to Ann Arbor 
and l;)egan making preparations to build a grist 
mill, where the City Mills now stand. Noyes and 
his wife were like most of the other settlers, a 
young couple. He had been born in New Hamp- 
shire in 1798, and his wife, whose maiden name 

was Martha , was a native of New York, 

where she was born in 1803. They were mar- 
ried in New York in 1818 and came to Michigan 
in the fall of 1823. The description of their com- 
ing may be of interest as illustrative of the way 
in which Michigan was settled. The young couple 
liafl heard of the surveying of the Territory of 
Michigan and that land could be purchased for 
line dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. Xothing 
daunted l)y re|)orts that the country was one vast 
swamp nor by the reputed danger from Indians 
and wild beasts, they packed their effects into a 
ildublc wagon and with a valuable team of horses 
they drove to Detroit over rough roads. When 
they reached Detroit they had their goods and 
one dollar in cash. At Detroit they sold their 
wagon and horses. Emigrants then had in view 
Pontiac or Woodruff's Grove. Xoyes' choice 
fell on Woodrufl:""s Grove and there he remained 
about six months, .\llen and Rumsey having 
started .\nn Arbor, and Ann .A.rbor township 
showing signs of rapid settlement, Xoyes, as 
stated above, removed to Ann Arbor in June, 
1824, four months after Allen and Rumsey, and 
a fc\y days after the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith. They lived in a log house near the 
corner of Main and -\nn streets. Although Noyes 
began preparations for a grist mill at once, it 
was not until about .\ugust 1, 1826, that the 
frame of the mill was raised. M this raising, be- 
sides the settlers of Ann .\rbor city, were Cap- 
tain John Dix, of Dixboro, and John and Robert 
Geddes, Colonel Orrin \\'hite, and others of Ann 
Arbor town. Judge S. W. Dexter and Mr. Arnold, 
of Dexter. Horace and \'irgil Booth and others 
of Lodi, Orrin Parsons and others of Saline. Oli- 
ver Whitmore, S. D. McDowell. Ezra Carpen- 
ter and Ezra Maynard, of Pittsfield, and a number 
from Ypsilanti. The mill was soon running and 
was well patronized so that Mr. and Mrs. Noyes 
seemed to be on the highway to prosperity, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



555 



when there occurred the first fatal accident in 
the county after the settlement. On November 
23, 1826, :Mr. Noyes was killed at the raising 
of a house for Andrew Nowland. on the east 
side of North State street, near the Central 
tracks. The building was being raised by posts 
and beams, a bent at a time. Mr. Noyes went up 
on the frame to adjust the plates when the whole 
building, not being sufficiently braced, fell and 
Mr. Noyes was instantly killed. He is supposed 
to have been the first person buried in the old 
Ann Arbor cemetery, now known as Felch Park. 
His young wife did not long remain a widow. 
but on January 23, 1827, married Ezra H. Piatt, 
who soon bought the ]\Iaynard farm in Pitts- 
field. 

Tames Xoves, a brother of George W. Noyes, 
is credited with building tlie third house in Ann 
Arbor which was on Main street, north of Ann 
street. He it was who took up the land on which 
the university is now located. It included fort}' 
acres in addition to what is now the campus, and 
he sold the whole eighty acres to Henry Rum- 
sev in 1825 for three hundred dollars. 

In 1824, Nathan Thayer and his son, Captain 
Charles Thaver. arrived in the new village, and 
Captain Thayer in later years spoke of the vil- 
lage as he saw it on his arrival. Elisha W. Rum- 
sey occupied the ^^'ashtenaw Coffee House. John 
.Allen the block house on the corner of Huron 
and Main streets. A log house with a frame 
addition stood on the corner of Main and Ann 
streets. Two small houses stood on the opposite 
side of Main street, and were occupied by two 
brothers, James and George W. Noyes. .A frame 
house stood near what is now the Cook House 
on Huron street, which had been built by Cor- 
nelius Ousterhaut. Another log house was near 
the northeast corner of ]\Iain and ^Vashington 
streets. Further south on Main street another 
log house was occupied by Alva Brown. 

Captain Thayer continued to live in .\nn .\r- 
bor until his death on December 74, i8qo, at the 
advanced age of eighty-nine. He was ]iostmas- 
ter of the village from 1834 to 1841. and held 
many other local offices. 

Henry Rumsey, a brother of E. W. Rumsey. 
bought the eightv acres of James Noves, on i)art 



of which the university is located, in the spring 
of 1825, and built a house on it, and in the fall of 
1825 he brought his family on from New York. 
He was the first representative of the county in 
the territorial legislative council from 1827 to 
i82g. He was a senator in the first state legisla- 
ture and was re-elected. 

-Vndrew Nowland with his wife and seven chil- 
dren came in June, 1824, and purchased one hun- 
dred twenty acres in what is now the fourth and 
fifth wards of the city. It was aiding in building 
for him a house to be used for a hotel that George 
W. Noyes was killed in 1826. He built a saw 
mill on the south bank of the Huron in 1825 at 
the foot of State street. His son, John S. Now- 
land, born June 13. 1826, long claimed to be the 
first white child born in Ann Arbor, but that 
honor seems to belong to Elisha Walker Rumsey 
Smith, born November 24, 1825: John S. Now- 
land being the second birth. 

Dr. David E. Lord, the first physician in the 
county, had built a house here in the summer of 

1824. He was appointed the first county clerk 
and served as such from 1827 to 1830. 

Bethuel Farrand, the first judge of probate of 
the county, and family, removed to Ann .Arbor in 
the fall of 1825. He was an older man than most 
of the first settlers and had come to Michigan 
from Cayuga county. New York, in February, 

1825, to obtain, if possible, a contract to supply 
Detroit with water. On February 22, 1825, the 
"freemen of Detroit granted to P)ethuel Farrand 
and his legal representatives the sole and exclu- 
sive right of watering the city of Detroit." He 
returned on foot for his family, and in May 
limught his family to Detroit with Rufns Wells, 
to whom he sold out in the fall in order to settle 
at Ann Arbor. At that time only an Indian trail 
ran between Detroit and .Ann Arbor. Mr. Far- 
rand started to take his family and possessions 
bv a flat-bottomed boat up the Huron river, but 
after getting about twenty miles up the river, 
he became discouraged and bought a large wagon 
and yoke of oxen and hired a man with another 
voke of oxen and started through the wilderness 
where it was said but one wagon had been be- 
fore. Much of the distance they had to cut their 
wav. Some of the hills, as one of the party af- 



556 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



terwards wrote, were so steep that they had to 
chain one yoke of oxen behind the wagon to hold 
back the load. After ten miles of unbroken road 
they reached Ypsilanti, which then contained two 
families. The next day they had reached Ann 
Arbor, and Dr. Lord let them have two rooms in 
his house until they could provide shelter for 
themselves. Six weeks later they had a shanty 
completed on the corner of Main and Williams, 
streets and moved into it. They constituted the 
fifteenth family in Ann Arbor. As soon as his 
house was completed, Mr. Farrand went to De- 
troit for provisions and returned with a drove of 
hogs, which he Initchercd, and all the neighbors, 
it is said, came to buy, borrow or beg some of the 
pork, which was considered so much greater a 
treat than was venison. 

When the Farrands came to Ann Arbor, it is 
evident that there was a family here which has 
not yet been mentioned, if their count of the num- 
ber of families in the village when they arrived 
is correct. Who they were, it is impossible to 
state with absolute certainty. Nathaniel and 
Svlvanus Noble had settled in Ann Arbor town 
north of and near the village before this and there 
were several other settlers living in the town- 
ship. Two men had been engaged with Allen anrl 
Rumsey in building Rumsey's house. One of 
them was Calvin Chipman who lived in Manches- 
ter until nearly ninety years old, and who claimed 
to have put the question as to the new village 
being called Ann Arbor, as told on another page. 
The other may have been Cornelius Ousterhaut, 
a carpenter and joiner, in whose house E. W. 
Rumsey died in 1827. In the summer of 1826, 
from Connecticut, came James Kingsley, who at 
once became one of the leading men of the county 
and who will be mentioned time and again on 
the pages of its history. 

In June, 1826, came the first tailor to settle west 
of Detroit in the person of Lorrin Mills, better 
known in his later years as Deacon Mills, as he 
was a deacon in the Congregational church for 
over thirty-four years. He built a small frame 
building and afterward built the first brick house 
in the city, on the southwest corner of Main and 
Huron streets. He died February 11, 1891. 

In 1826 also came Hiram Welch and familv 



from Harrisonburg, Mrginia, an old-style Vir- 
ginia gentleman, and for some years he kept a 
store on the corner of Main and Huron streets. 

By 1827 Ann Arbor had become a village of 
considerable importance. It had about one hun- 
dred fifty inhabitants and boasted of three stores. 
Three new taverns had appeared to compete with 
Rumsey's "Coffee House," which was then oc- 
cupied by Oliver Whitmore. Andrew Nowland 
had a tavern on North State street. Samuel 
Camp had one on the southwest corner of Main 
and Huron streets, and Ira W. Bird had one on 
the southeast corner of the same streets. 

In the meantime, the rest of Washtenaw county 
was being settled. Xorthfield, Ann Arbor town, 
Pittsfield, Ypsilanti city, ^^'ebster and Dixboro 
had been settled in 1824; and in 1825 the first 
settlements in Lima, Salem, Scio. Dexter, Lodi 
and York were made ; and the pioneers built their 
first log houses in Saline in 1826. Bridgewater 
and Augusta were settled in 1829. Sylvan in 1830,, 
Freedom and Manchester in 183 1, and Lyndon 
in 1833. 

Benjamin Sutton was the first settler of North- 
field, and the story of his settlement has been told 
by his nephew, Hon. George Sutton, who came 
only a few years later. Xorthfield was settled on 
the same day that Ann Arbor was. Benjamin 
Sutton, who was from New Jersey, started out 
from Detroit with Allen and Rumsey on their 
first trip to Ann Arbor, in February, 1824. The 
trail they took passed near Tenick's, through the 
Bucklin woods and across the Rush river at the 
])lace afterward known as Swartsburg. From 
there they went over the Tonquish plains to what 
is now known as Plymouth, where the trail 
forked. Here Allen and Rumsey took the trail 
that went to what is now Ann Arbor, while Sut- 
ton took the other trail and brought up in North- 
field, which looked pleasing to him, and he there 
located upon sections 34 and 35, on the road 
which was soon laid out from Plymouth Corners 
through Salem and Northfield to Ann Arbor, and 
known as the Sutton Road. In the fall of 1824 
Mr. Sutton moved his family from the River 
Rush where they had been living while he pre- 
pared his cabin and their new home. His cabin 
as it was six vears later when George Sutton ar- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



557 



rived was a double log house one and a half sto- 
ries high. The logs were hewn inside and out 
and there was only one chimney which was built 
of sticks and mortar made of clay. It had a ver\- 
large fireplace and the first supper which the Sut- 
tons, who came in 1830, ate in this house con- 
sisted of biscuit baked in what was called a bake 
kettle. The flonr or meal was mixed with sala- 
ratus anfl bultermilk. molded in rolls and put in 
the iron kettle which was put between hot coals. 
The biscuit was served with wild honey and fried 
venison. At this time, Benjamin Sutton's family 
consisted of his wife and six children, two of 
whom had been born in this cabin. George Sut- 
ton, in describing his arrival upon the scene, says 
that the "sun was setting in the west with its 
golden tinged canopy. The cattle and horses 
came up to be yarded for the night. The mos- 
quitoes were holding a carnival in the open air to 
the annoyance of the poor bovines ; and the sheep 
had to be put in vaults for safety from the 
wolves." When Benjamin Sutton arrived in the 
township it was purely an oak opening district. 
Since that time extensive clearings have been 
made and the beautiful oaks have almost disap- 
peared. The Indians at this time were very nu- 
merous and very friendly. Their usual trade with 
the white settlers consisted in exchanging a leg of 
venison for a loaf of bread. They also had honey 
to exchange in the fall and sugar in the spring. 
The Indians every fall and spring went through 
here to Detroit with all their movable effects con- 
sisting of their squaws, papooses, ponies and 
dogs, to await an opportunity to cross the river to 
Sarnia to draw their allowance. This allowance 
consisted of a blanket and a small fowling piece, 
known to the white settlers as a "squaw gun," 
with some ammunition, a knife and a hatchet. 
These guns were the only kind the Indian hunters 
used until the white settlers taught them the use 
of rifles, while Indian boys at this date were 
taught to shoot with a bow and arrow and to use 
a hatchet. The Indian trails were very numerous 
and ran in many directions to suit the roving dis- 
position of the migratory tribes. These trails 
were deeply worn, showing that they had been 
long in use. A company of Indians on the march 
always went in single file, whether on horseback 

33 



or on foot, and the squaws carried their papooses 
in wicker baskets, with poles tied to the basket, 
which was carried on the mother's shoulders. As 
illustrative of the life of these pioneer settlers, 
Hon. George Sutton has given an account of the 
killing of an Indian chief on the trail the Indians 
took to come to Northfield, and the murder of a 
young Indian squaw in Northfield at a little later 
date. His account is as follows : 

"The Pottawatomics were the most numerous 
tribe of Indians that hovered around the Sutton 
settlement. Their principal chiefs were Ton- 
gush (commonly called Togush), Chevas, La- 
comas and Lone Arm. 

"In the year 1824 or 1825, three men were eat- 
ing a lunch in Detroit, when Chief Togush ap- 
proached them with a request for bread. The 
men refused to give him any, which so angered 
Togush that he walked away a few steps and 
then turned and fired his gun, and one of the 
men fell dead. Togush tried to make his escape 
west, and crossed the river Rush at Swartsburg. 
He got partly over the plains, when he was over- 
taken bv a posse of white men from Detroit and 
shot. His remains were cared for by his tribe. 
Their burial consisted in making a chair of sticks 
and setting their dead chief thereon in an up- 
right position near the trail. The Indians in 
passing by their dead chief would put pipes and 
tobacco into his hands that he might enjoy com- 
fort in the Indian hunting ground. The plains 
where this circumstance took place have ever 
since been known as Togush plains. 

"It was said that this tribe after losing their 
chief chose in his place a young warrior who was 
a relative of the old chief, and bore the same 
name. Soon after his accession, young Togush 
and his retainers came to the house of Benjamin 
Sutton, and tied their ponies to the fence, the 
ponies standing close together. The Indians made 
themselves at home as was their usual custom. 
Now, on this particular occasion, the Indians had 
procured some whiskey, contrary to the good gov- 
ernment of the neighborhood, and some of them 
drank too much. It is an awful thing for an 
Indian to drink whiskey, a little makes him wild 
and savage as it did Chief Togush on this occa- 
sion. The chief was displeased with some of the 



558 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



doings of his wife and flew at her with his knife. 
The squaw ran toward the horses. She first 
attempted to go under them, then jumped on 
their backs, and would go from one liorse to the 
other. Her movements were Uke the wind, dear 
life was at stake. She knew what effect fire- 
water had on the brain of her chief. She also 
knew that he carried a liatchet in his wampum 
and a knife dangling by his side. Oh ! what the 
poor creature saw in that agonizing moment of 
cruelty, when death would soon claim her. She 
made one more effort to escape the missile of 
death held by the chief by running to a big oak 
tree near bv. The chief pursued her. They met 
each other on the opposite side of the tree, the 
chief's hand fell, and his hellish deed was ac- 
complished. The victim of this diabolical act 
was buried near where it occurred, but the grave 
could not be found by the whites who were liv- 
ing in the settlement, until recently. Mr. A. 
Steft'y. who now owns a farm near where this 
outrage was committed, in clearing the land found 
the bones of a human being sup]iosed to be those 
of the murdered squaw," 

The Indians, however friendly, were some- 
times very troublesome to the early settlers, as 
is proved bv an incident related in after years by 
Almand Allen, who was at the time about five 
vears old and an eye witness to the transaction, 
which has gone down into history as "The Battle 
of the Bee Tree," at Sutton's Corners. Mr. Al- 
len's story is as follows : 

"In the fall of 1826 the Indians found a bee 
tree about forty rods south of Mr. William Al- 
len's house at Sutton's Corners, and came one 
fine day to cut it down and get the honey. ( )n 
their way to the tree they stopped at the house to 
get the little five-year-old Almand to go with 
them. His mother objected, but the Indians in- 
duced the little fellow to follow them. Mrs. Al- 
len, feeling anxious for the .safety of her son, 
went partly down to where they were cutting 
the tree, and seeing him among the Indians, re- 
turned to the house satisfied that all was right. 
The chief had Almand between his knees to keep 
the little fellow from being stung, after the tree 
was cut down. Now, it liappened on the morning 
of that dav that one of the tribe had killed a deer. 



and brought the hide to the bee tree, and the 
honey was enclosed in it, after which it was 
sewed up with strips of fine bark, ready to be 
taken to the camp, which was located on the 
bank of a lake near by. 

"The Indians, on returning, passed by Mr. Al- 
len's house as their nearest way home. It hap- 
pened by accident or otherwise, that three of the 
Indians who had been at the cutting of the bee 
tree, stayed behind the others. One of them car- 
ried in his hand a piece of honey in the comb. 

"When they got to the Allen house he walked 
in and gave the honeycomb to Mrs. Allen and 
wanted to trade it for bread. Mrs. Allen taking 
the honeycomb in her hand and turning it over, 
found no honey on the lower side. She said to 
the Indian, 'Kow in nisheshin' (no good honey). 

"Whether this remark of Mrs. Allen, or the 
objection she had made to her little son going 
with them to the bee tree, aroused the Indian's 
hatred, is not known. At this time Mrs. Alleo 
w'as alone in the house with her children. Moses 
Allen, her brother-in-law, was plowing near by, 
and she supposed that her husband was at Benja- 
min Sutton's, nearly one-half mile distant. 

"The Indians commenced striking Mrs. Allen 
with sticks, and as their anger and passion in- 
creased, they took her up bodilv and cast her on 
the fire which was burning on the hearth. 

"She screamed to her little son Almantl to run 
for his father. Mr. Allen was returning from 
.Mr. .'mutton's, and met .-Vlniand at the c<irner of 
the house. 

"Learning of the awful condition that his wife 
was in he rushed into the house, one of the 
Indians meeting him with a gun. A conflict en- 
sued. The gun was wrested from the Indian 
and thrown out of doors. Another Indian threw 
a tomahawk and missed Allen. It stuck in a 
log of the house and remained there for several 
(lays afterwards. 

"Moses Allen heard the screams from the house 
of his brother and came to his assistance. By 
this time Mrs. Allen had managed to get off from 
the fire, but little injured from its effects as 
happily her clothing was made of domestic 
woolen. 

"How long the battle lasted between the Aliens 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



559 



and the Indians is not known, or what the 
weapons of warfare were. The narrator says 
that great clots of blood were left on the bed and 
carried out of the house on the 'coverlet.' Two 
of the Indians retired from the conflict and car- 
ried off a dead companion. 

"For months after this horrible circumstance 
occurred, Mr. Allen was in constant dread of a 
return of the Indians and kept his house barri- 
caded from fear of an attack by some of the 
wilv savages who were constantly encamping in 
the neighborhood. My informant says that the 
Indians did not give them any more tronlile, but 
when approaching near the .Mien house would 
keep a good distance from it." 

In the course of two or three years the settle- 
ment was augmented by the arrival of Moses 
Allen, ^^'illiam Allen, James Noyes, a Mr. Lane, 
a Mr. Lavcrty, and Nathaniel Rrundige, the lat- 
ter of whom died soon after his arrival. 

.\mong the earh^ settlers of Northfield was 
Isaac Secord. who came from Pontiac in 1828 
with a young wife and a large family of small 
children. Mr. Secord was a noted hunter and 
his trusty rifle was his constant companion. Plis 
footsteps were carefully guarded and not a 
quiver of a leaf or a motion of the grass would 
escape his notice. During the War of 1S12 Se- 
cord came to ;\Iichigan from Canada, where he 
had been living and was in the British army. 
One day when he was marching with the rest 
of the soldiers and the Indians they passed bv 
a thick clump of bushes. Secord disappeared in 
the bushes and made his way to Michigan. From 
here he undertook to get his family from Canada 
and also to act as a spy for the .Americans, but 
was discovered and withdrew to a high hill 
where he laid on his arms in the grass for two 
days watching the soldiers and Indians hunt him. 
He was obliged to return to Alichigan without 
his family. They attempted to come on alone 
and were followed by the soldiers wlio hoped in 
this way to catch Secord. On their wav a little 
child was hnru. Joanna Secord, who was married 
in Northfield in June, 1830, to William Jackson 
by Justice Wilcoxson, of .\nn .\r])or, and this 
was the first marriage in Northfield township. 



In 1833 some Mormon evangelists visited North- 
field and Mrs. Secord was converted and im- 
mersed in a hole cut in the ice in a small pond 
near where the Methodist church now stands. 

The first schoolhouse in the township was built 
in April, 1828, but it was not until May, 1829, 
that school was held in it, with Miss Miranda Le- 
land as teacher. A spelling and debating school 
was organized in September, 1829, and in 1830 
Mr. Merrill organized a Sunday-school over 
which Miss Parmelia Leland presided. 

Hon. John Renwick, who came to Northfield 
in 1827 from New York, describes the township 
as it then was, in the following words : "The 
first impression I had of the township of North- 
field was in traveling through the southern part 
of the township on an old Indian trail from 
Plymouth to Ann Arbor in the year 1827. The 
township was in a state of nature, except what 
was settled by Penjamin Sutton and Moses Allen. 
Mr. Benjamin Sutton was the pioneer of the 
township, having settled on his farm in 1824. 
He cut his way from the river Rouge. Mr. 
Sutton possessed all the requirements of the 
pioneer : first, a strong robust constitution, a 
quick discerning and intellectual mind, and a 
perseverance that never faltered. He was a 
man of imcomiuon hospitality. His house was 
a home for all the pioneers that passed in that 
section of the country. Such was the man, 
strong minded and calculated to be admired in 
any society; none were above him, and few his 
equal." 

Moses Allen, who came into the township from 
New York with his family in 1826 and settled 
on land adjoining Benjamin Sutton's, brought 
the first apple trees and peach pits to the town- 
ship and planted the first apple and peach orch- 
ard. Four years later he sold his land and re- 
moved to Plymouth. Joseph Lane settled here in 
1826 and sold his farm and log house in 1829 to 
Nathaniel Brundige, who died the following 
year. His wife and four children continued to 
reside here for many years. Peter Sears came 
from Massachusetts to Northfield in November, 
1826, where he lived until January 18, 1867, 
when he died at the age of 80. Capt. John Moe 



560 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



arrived with liis family in 1827 and was particu- 
larly lucky in his choice of a location, where he 
lived until 1855. 

Twenty-three different purchasers of land in 
Ann Arbor town in the year 1824 from the gen- 
eral government added to the work of the land 
office in Detroit, and indicated an inflii.x of immi- 
grants. Col. Orrin White, his wife Ann White, 
who was a sister of Capt. Chas. Thayer, and three 
children were the first settlers in what is now Ann 
Arbor town. They bought the land on which 
they settled on section 26 in 1823 and moved into 
the log house they erected on July 4. 1824. Mr. 
\Miite was from New York and his wife was a 
native of Penns\'lvania. lie was a soldier in the 
War of 1812, and had been through the territory 
to locate land in 1823. He was a captain and 
afterward colonel of the militia of the county, 
and held a large number of offices including 
sheriff, member of the constitutional convention, 
and a member of the legislature. He died in 1864 
and Mrs. White died in 1871. 

Near the White's, settled in September, 1824, 
Mr. and Mrs. George Rash, their five children and 
a bound boy, Levi Bunt. They, too, came from 
New York. Mr. Rash died in 1855 ^"^d his wife 
in 1859. They remained until their death on the 
land thev took up from the government. Bunt, 
the bound boy, enlisted in the Mexican war, and 
died while a soldier. 

Nathaniel and Sylvanus Noble came in Octo- 
ber, 1824, and settled just north of what is now 
Ann Arbor city, Mrs. Harriet L. Noble has left 
us a pen picture of their settlement, which affords 
a good description of conditions in the new vil- 
lage of Ann Arbor, and a year later in Dexter 
where they moved ; and depicts the hardships of 
the early Washtenaw pioneers. Mrs. Noble, at 
the time she came to Michigan, was 27 and her 
husband was 33. Her reminiscences are so inter- 
esting that we transcribe them: 

"My husband was seized with the western ma- 
nia and accordingly made preparations to start 
with his brother in January, 1825. They took 
the Ohio route and were nearly a month getting 
through by way of Monroe, Ypsilanti and Ann 
Arbor. Mr. John Allen and Walker Rumsey, 
with his wife and two men, had been in Ann Ar- 



bor some four or five weeks, and had built a 
small house and moved into it the day my husband 
and his brother arrived, and were just preparing 
their first meal, which the newcomers had the 
pleasure of enjoying. They spent a few days in 
Ami Arbor and located a farm a little above the 
town on the river Huron, and returned through 
Canada. They had been so much pleased with 
the new country that they immediately com- 
menced preparing to emigrate ; and, as near as I 
can recollect, we started about September 20, 
1824, for ]\Iichigan. We traveled from our home 
in Geneva, New York, to Buffalo in wagons. The 
roads were bad, and we were obliged to wait in 
Buffalo four days for a boat, as the steamer 
Michigan was the only one on the lake. After 
waiting so long we found the Michigan had put 
into Erie for repairs, and there was no prospect 
of her being able to run for some time. The next 
step was to take passage in a schooner, which 
was considered a terrible undertaking for so dan- 
gerous a voyage as it was then thought to be. At 
length we went on board the Prudence, of Cleve- 
land. A more inconvenient little bark could not 
well be imagined. We were seven days on Lake 
Erie, and so entirely prostrated with seasickness 
as scarcely to be able to attend to the wants of our 
little ones. I had a little girl of three years and 
a babe some nine months old, and Sister Noble 
had six children, one an infant. It was a tedious 
voyage, the lake was very rough most of the time, 
and I thought if we were only on land again I 
should be satisfied if it was a wilderness. I could 
not then realize what it would be to live without a 
comfortable home through the winter, but sad 
experience afterwards taught me a lesson not to 
be forgotten. 

"We came into the Detroit river; it was beautiful 
then as now, on the Canadian side in particular, 
you will scarcely perceive and change. Detroit, 
for a city, was certainly the most filthy, irregular 
place I had ever seen ; the streets were filled with 
Indians and low French. We spent two days 
making preparations to go out to Ann Arbor and 
during that time I did not see a genteelly dressed 
person in the streets. There were no carriages ; 
the most wealthy families rode in French carts, 
sitting on the bottom on some kind of seats, and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



561 



the streets were so muddy that they were the only 
convenient vehicles for getting- about. I said to 
myself, 'If this be a western city, give me a home 
in the woods.' 

"I think it was on October 31, 1824, that we 
started from Detroit with a yoke of oxen and 
wagon, a few articles for cooking and such neces- 
saries as we could not do without. It was neces- 
sarv that tlie\- should be as few as possible for our 
families were a full load for this mode of travel- 
ing. After traveling all day we found ourselves 
ten miles from Detroit at what is now Dearborn. 
Here we spent the night at a kind of tavern, the 
only one west of the city. Our lodging was the 
floor. The next day we set out as early as possi- 
ble in hopes to get through the woods before dark, 
but night found us about half way through, and 
there remained no other recourse l)ut lo camp out. 
The men built a large fire and prepared our sup- 
per. My sister and myself could assist but little 
so fatigued were we with walking and carrying 
our infants. There were fifteen in our company, 
two gentlemen going to Ypsilanti accompanying 
us. It seemed a long, long night in the wilder- 
ness. We started again as early as possible, all 
who could walk moving on a little in advance of 
the wagon, the small children were the onlv ones 
who thought of riding. Every few rods it would 
take two or three men to pry the wagon out of the 
mud. while those who walked were obliged to 
force their way over fallen brush, timber, etc. 
Thus passed the day, at night we found ourselves 
on the plains three miles from Ypsilanti. Mv 
feet were so swollen I could walk no farther. We 
got into the wagon and rode as far as WoodrutT's 
Grove, a little below Ypsilanti. There were four 
or five families at this place. 

"The next day we left for .\nn Arbor. A\'e 
were delighted with the countrv before us. It 
was beautiful in its natural state and I have 
sometimes thought that cultivation marred its 
loveliness. Where Ypsilanti stands there was but 
one building — an old trading house on the west 
side of the river. Ihe situation was fine. There 
were scattered oaks and no brushwood. Here 
we met a large number of Indians, and one old 
squaw followed us .some distance with her pa- 
poose, determined to swap babies. At last she 



gave it up, and for once I felt relieved. We 
passed two log houses between Ypsilanti and Ann 
Arbor. About the middle of the afternoon we 
found ourselves at our journey's end, but what a 
prospect ! 

"There were some six or seven log huts occu- 
pied by as many inmates as could crowd into 
them. It was too much to think of asking 
strangers to give us a place to stay in even for 
one night under such cicumstances. Mr. John 
.\llen himself made us the offer to share with him 
the comforts of a shelter from storm, if not from 
the cold. His house was large for a log one, but 
quite unfinished. There was a ground floor and 
a single loft above. When we got our things 
stored in this place, we found the number shel- 
tered to be twenty-one women and children, and 
fourteen men. There were but two bedsteads in 
the house, and those who could not occupv these 
slept on feather beds upon the floor. When the 
children were put in bed, you could not set a foot 
down without stepping on a foot or hand. We 
cooked our meals in the open air, there being no 
fire in the house but a small box stove. The fall 
winds were not very favorable for such business 
and we would frequently find our clothes on fire, 
but fortunately we did not often get burned. We 
lived in this way until our husbands got a log 
house raised and the roof on. This took them 
about six weeks, at the end of which time we went 
into it, without door, floor, chimney or anything 
but logs and roof. There were no means of get- 
ting boards for a floor, as everything must be 
brought from Detroit, and we could not think of 
drawing lumber over such a road. The only al- 
ternative was to split slats of oak with an ax. Mv 
husband was not a mechanic, but he managed to 
make a floor in this way that kept us from the 
ground. I was most anxious for a door, as the 
wolves would come about in the evening, and 
sometimes stay all night and keep up a serenade 
that would almost chill the blood in my veins. Of 
all the noises, I think the howling of wolves and 
the yelling of Indians the most fearful — at least 
it appeared so to me when I was not able to close 
the door against them. We had our house as 
comfortable as such a rude building could be, by 
the first of Februarv. 



S62 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



"It was a mild winter. There was snow enough 
to cover the ground only a few days, a fortunate 
circumstance for us. We enjoyed uninterrupted 
health, but in the spring the ague with its accom- 
paniments gave us a call, and hy the middle of 
August, there were but four out of fourteen who 
could call themselves well. We then fancied we 
were too near the river for health. We sold out 
and bought again ten miles west of Ann Arbor, 
and on November 3, 1825. just a year from the 
day we came to Ann Arbor, we moved out of it 
to Dexter. 

"There was one house in Dexter, that of Judge 
Dexter. He was building a sawmill and had a 
number of men at work at the lime. Besides 
these there was not a white family west of Ann 
Arbor in Michigan territory. Our log house was 
just raised, forming only the square log pen. Of 
course it did not look very inviting, but it was our 
home, and we must make the best of it. I 
helped to raise the rafters and put on the roof, 
but it was the last of November before our roof 
was completed. We were obliged to wait for the 
mill to run in order to get boards for making it. 
The doorway I had no means of closing except by 
hanging up a blanket, and frequently when I 
raised it to step out there would be two or three 
of our dusky neighbors peeping in to see what 
was there. It would always give me such a start 
I could not suppress a scream, to which they 
would reply with 'Ugh' and a heart\' laugh. They 
knew I was afraid and liked to torment me. 
Sometimes they would throng the house and 
would stay two or three hours. If I was alone 
they would help themselves to what they liked. 
The only way in which I could restrain them at 
all, was to threaten to tell Cass, the governor of 
the territory, of wdiom they stood in great fear. 
At last we got a door. The next thing we wanted 
was a chimney. Winter was at hand and the 
stone was not drawn. I drove the oxen and rolled 
the stone off the sled while my husband dug them 
from the ground and loaded the sied. We were 
four days building the chimney. With a chimney 
and floor and a door, I have often thought our 
little log cabin the most comfortable little place 
that could possibly be built in so new a country. 



And but for the want of provisions of almost ev- 
er}- kind, we should have enjoyed it very much. 

"The roads had been so bad all the fall that we 
had waited until this lime, and I think it was De- 
cember when my husband went to Detroit for 
supplies. I'lfteen days were consumed in going 
and returning. We had been without flour for 
three weeks or more and it was hard to manage 
with young children. After being without bread 
three or four days, my little boy, two years old, 
looked me in the face and said, 'Ma, why don't 
you make bread: don't you like it?' His innocent 
complaint brought forth the first tears I had shed 
in Michigan on account of any privations I had to 
suft'er, and they were about the last. Yet the want 
of society, church privileges, and other things that 
make life desirable, often made me sad. I had no 
ladies' society for one year after coming to Dex- 
ter, except sister Noble and a Mrs. Taylor, and 
was more lonely than either of them, my family 
being so small. 

"The winter passed rather gloomily, but when 
spring came everything looked delightful. We 
thought our hardships nearly at an end, when 
early in the summer my husband was taken with 
the ague. He had not been sick at all the first 
year. He would break the ague and work for a 
few days when it would return. In this way he 
made his garden, planted his corn, and thought he 
was quite well. About August he harvested his 
wheat and cut his hay, but could get no help to 
draw it, and was again taken with the ague. I 
had it myself, and both my children. Occasionally 
we would all be ill at the same time. Mr. Noble 
and I had it every other day. He was almost dis- 
couraged and said he would have to sell his cattle 
or let them starve. I said to him. 'To-morrow 
we shall neither of us have the ague, and I believe 
I can load and stack the hay, if mv strengtli per- 
mits.' As soon as breakfast was over I prepared 
to go intr) the field where I loaded and stacked 
seven loads that day. The next day my husband 
had the ague more severely than common, but not 
so with me : the exercise broke the chills, and I 
was able to assist him whenever he was well 
enough until our hay was all secured. 

"In the fall we had several added to our circle. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



563 



We were more healthy, then, and began to flatter 
ourselves that we could live very comfortably 
through the winter of 1829. We were not des- 
tined to enjoy that blessing, for in November my 
husband had his left hand blown to pieces by the 
accidental discharge of a gun, which confined 
him to the house until April. The hay I had 
stacked through the fall I had to feed out to the 
cattle with my own hands in the winter, and often 
cut tlie wood for three days at a time. The logs 
which I alone rolled in would surprise any one 
who had never been put to the test of necessity. 
The third winter in Michigan was decidedly the 
hardest I had yet encountered. In the spring Mr. 
Noble could be out by carrying his hand in a 
sling. He commenced plowing to prepare for 
planting his corn. Being weak frtmi his wound, 
the ague returned again. He then went to New 
York and came back in July with a nephew who 
relieved me from helping him in the work out of 
doors. Although I was obliged to stack hav this 
third fall, I believe that it was the last labor of 
this kind that I ever performed. .At this time we 
began to have quite a little society. We were for- 
tunate in having crood neighbors and for some 
years were almost like one family, our interest be- 
ing the same, and envy, jealousy and all bitter 
feeling being unknown among us." 

Other early settlers in Ann Arbor town were .t 
newlv married couple from Genesee county. New 
York. IMr. and Mrs. Elnathan P.otsford, who set- 
tled in the southeast portion of the township in 
^lay, 1825, Robert and John Geddes, two single 
men, who settled near the Botsfords in June, 1825. 
Mr. and Mrs. Amos Hicks and seven children 
who came in October, 1825, and Rev. and ]\Irs. 
Moses Clark and seven children who came in 
1825. ."Ml of these came from New York, except- 
ing John Geddes who came from Pennsylvania. 
The Clarks left the township in 1832. selling out 
to Elnathan Botsford. Mr. and Mrs. Botsford 
continued to reside m the township until their 
death: Mrs. Botsford dying in 1847 and Mr. 
Botsford in 185;^. Amos Hicks died in 1835 ^'i"^' 
his wife in 1868. Robert Geddes built a savmill 
at Geddes in T82r). Pie died in i8fi6. John 
Geddes, who held many local offices and was a 
member of the iegislature, died in 1888 



There were fifteen purchasers of land in Pitts- 
field in 1824, the year of its settlement. As has 
been seen, the first person to take up land from 
the government in the township was George W. 
Noyes, who never lived there, but at Woodruff's 
Grove and Ann Arbor. One or two others of the 
first purchasers never resided in the town. Sev- 
eral of the first settlers arrived at about the same 
time and the month of June. 1824, saw several 
log houses in a town which on May i, 1824, the 
stroke of the white man's ax had not been heard. 
The honor of rhe first settlement has generally 
lieen given to Oliver Whitmore, after whom, by 
the wav, Whitmore lake was named, and Samuel 
D. McDowell. They came from New York, 
although ~Slr. Whitmore was a native of Massa- 
chusetts. They first met in Detroit in .A.pril. 1824, 
and came up the Huron river with their families 
in boats as far as Rawsonville. and left their fami- 
lies with Major Woodruff at WoodruiT's Grove 
until the men could build a log house. Mr. 
WhituKire's house was built first, on the north- 
west quarter of section 1 1 , and while it was build- 
ing, ^[rs. Whitmore tented on the ground and 
cooked for the builders. The floor of the new lot: 
house was made of split logs smoothed with an 
ax, and the roof of long staves, fastened on with 
riders. Mr. Whitmore's family consisted at the 
time of his wife, two grown sons, Oliver and Jo- 
seph. ]\Iiss Venus, and Walstin, a boy of twelve. 
Mr. McDowell's familv consisted of his wife and 
an infant daughter. He had been n.iarried but 
two years. The two families moved into the first 
log house built in Pittsfield, June \. T824. and im- 
luediatelv thereafter turned in to build Mr. ^Ic- 
Dowell's log house on adjoining land. 

Ezra ]\Iaynard and his family, and Charles .An- 
derson and wife, came in June, 1824. The May- 
nards came from Massachusetts. They had nine 
children, six of them grown, at the time they 
came to Pittsfield. They built a house of square 
logs on section 3 that summer and in 1825 Mr. 
Maynard built a frame barn, the first of its kind 
in the town, which was still standing over fifty 
years afterwards. 

Charles .Anderson, a native of Ireland, and lii'^ 
wife, a native of England, located near Maynard. 
Thev had a two-vear-old daughter and in No- 



564 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



vember, 1824, a son was born to them, the first 
white child born in the township, whose birth an- 
tedated the first birth in Ann Arbor by a year. 
Mr. Anderson died in 1826. 

John Anderson also came about this time. The 
next year he was one of the o;rooms in a double 
wedding which took place in October, 1825, at the 
house of Ezra Maynard, when Laura Maynard 
was married to John Anderson, and Abby Maria 
Maynard was married to James T. Allen, of Ann 
Arbor. Evidently the young people of the early 
settlement did not forego the pleasures of court- 
ship. 

Aaron Barney moved into Pittsfield from near 
Detroit in the summer of 1824, and built in the 
same section as the others. He had seven chil- 
dren, the oldest a young man. He built a log hut 
and soon he built a shop, and with a turning lathe 
began manufacturing hay rakes, cradles, etc. 

John Hitchcock located his farm on section 4 
in June, but did not get his log house up until 
fall. It was near the present stone schoolhousc 
on the Ypsilanti road and was quite a pretentious 
dwelling for those days. He came through from 
Ohio with a horse team, the only one in the town- 
ship for a couple of years. His family consisted 
of his wife, four small children, his father and 
mother and his wife's grandmother. It will be 
apparent to all who read these pages that the fam- 
ilies who moved into Pittsfield the year of its set- 
tlement, were large ones. 

Still, some of the pioneers were unmarried. 
For instance Claudius Britton. who located where 
the County House farm now is, June 4, 1824, 
worked for Mr. McDowell until the following 
spring. He sold his land and moved from the 
township. 

Luke H. Whitmore, Joseph Parsons and Lewis 
Barr bought land from the government in 1824 
and built log houses during the winter or earlv 
spring. Whitmore's family consisted of seven. 
His oldest daughter, Emily, died September 12, 
1825, the first death in the township and the sec- 
ond death in the county, Walter Oakman having 
died in Woodruff's Grove only two days pre- 
viously. James Martin also built a log house in 
the .spring of 1825. 

The first schoolhouse in Washtenaw countv 



was built in Pittsfield in the summer of 1825, be- 
tween the houses of Samuel McDowell and Luke 
H. Parsons, and Harriet Parsons took charge of 
the new school and also started a Sunday-school. 
All these early settlements in Pittsfield were in 
the northeast corner of the township and were in 
what is known as the Mallett Creek district. 
There were twenty-five purchasers of land from 
the government in 1S25, and if they all had as 
large families as the pioneers who came in 1824, 
the town must have had quite a population. 

The first permanent settlement in what is now 
Ypsilanti city was made in the fall of 1824, by 
John Stewart who bought the north French 
claim and moved into the old French trading 
house. John Geddes has described Stewart as a 
quiet and inoiTensive man who had probably 
never heard of General Y]isilanti, after whom the 
city, of which he was the first settler, was named. 
He bought his claim of 622 acres on May 29, 

1824. This was the La Chambre claim which had' 
been transferred to Godfroy in 1814. But he was 
not in the trading post on July 19, 1824, when 
John Geddes first saw Ypsilanti, and he was there 
when Mr. Geddes made his second trip May 25. 

1825, and informed him that he had brought his 
family from Romulus, Seneca county, New York, 
in the fall of 1824. Stewart sold out to Jason 
Cross in 1831 and removed tp Battle Creek where 
he lived for many years. He had a large family. 

In 1825 almost all the land where Ypsilanti is 
located was owned by Stewart, Judge Augustus 
Woodward, the first territorial chief justice of 
Michigan, and William W. Harwood. Wood- 
ward had purchased the Gabriel Godfroy claim, 
and Harwood purchased the land first bought by 
Eli Kellogg in 1822, Judge Woodward never 
lived on his land in this county. Before this, it 
had been supposed that Woodrufif's Grove was to 
be the town, but about the first of June, 1825, the 
United States commissioners laid out the Detroit 
and Chicago road, which passed through what is 
now Ypsilanti, and left Woodrufif's Grove out in 
the cold. This sidetracked Major Woodrufif's 
ambitious project and brought the city back to the 
site of the old French claims. The chief surveyor 
was Orange Risdon, long a well known pioneer 
in this county, who died in Saline in 1876. This 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



565 



road, the first one laid out in Washtenaw county, 
ran from Ypsilanti to what is now SaHne and 
from there southwesterly, passing out of the 
county on section 33 of Bridgewater. Risdon, 
who had been employed by the government in 
surveying for some years, must have previously 
had some idea of where the road would strike, as 
the year previous (1824) he had purchased land 
in section i of Saline, where the village now it. 

IMessrs. Stewart, Harwood and Woodward at 
once laid out a village plat. Stewart and Wood- 
ward on the west bank of the river, and Harwood 
on the east bank, and they employed a Mr. Brook- 
field, of Detroit, to do the surveying. The only 
serious trouble over the new village plat was over 
naming the new village. Mr. Stewart called it 
Waterville. Mr. Harwood wanted the name Pal- 
myra, while Judge Woodward was insistent on 
the name Ypsilanti. Harwood and Stewart were 
on the ground and thought they ought to have the 
say, but neither would agree to the name the other 
proposed. Finally they united on the name 
Springfield and sent Surveyor Brookfield to De- 
troit to record the plat. W^ien he got in Detroit, 
Judge Woodward absolutely refused to accept the 
name Springfield, and the other two finally agreed 
to accept the Greek name, and the plat of Ypsi- 
lanti was duly recorded in 1825. 

The early settlers of Ypsilanti, like the early 
settlers of Pittsfield, were men who had large 
families. When John Stewart died, he left a 
family of twenty-two children. How many lived 
with him in the old French trading post, we are 
unable to state. When Mr. Harwood died in 
i860, he left thirteen children living. We know 
that six had previously died, and the possibility is 
that there were more than six. Mr. Harwood 
was thirty-nine years old when he came to Ypsi- 
lanti with his second wife, who died in Ypsilanti 
four years later. In 1831 he removed to Pitts- 
field, where he lived until his death. He was 
married four times. 

Jonathan G. Morton, with .\retus Belding. 
opened the first store in Ypsilanti in the spring of 
1825. Mr. Morton liought two village lots for $5 
each. He brought the goods for his store from 
Detroit by a small boat poled up the Huron river. 
The dav after his arrival he footed it to .'Knn Ar- 



bor over an Indian trail to get acquainted with 
his neighbors there. Woodruff Grove still strove 
to hold its own against Ypsilanti. and that fall 
David DeForest Ely and Jonathan T. Ely brought 
a still larger stock of goods to Woodruff's Grove 
in wagons, but the building of the Chicago road 
putting Ypsilanti on the main thoroughfare for 
all western emigrants, soon put an end to any 
hopes for the nearby village of Woodruff's Grove. 
Village lots in Ypsilanti soon went up and in 
July, 1827, Mark Norris paid $100 for two village 
lots ( half an acre) and records in his diary, 
"Land is already valued very high." 

John Stewart built a sawmill at Ypsilanti in 

1826, and Hardy and Reading built another one 
in 1827. Hardy and Reading built a flouring mill 
in 1828 and W. W. Harwood built another flour- 
ing mill in 1829, the dam being constructed by 
Harwood and Mark Norris. Mark Norris ar- 
rived in Ypsilanti from New York state, July 28, 

1827. His diary of that date contains the follow- 
ing: "Have spent most of the day in viewing the 
village. Nature and art combine to make it a 
place of business. It is situated on the Huron 
nine miles below .\nn Arbor and four miles above 
the landing, where boats of twenty tons' burden 
arrive from the lake to unload." Two days later, 
(in Sunday, he said : "Spent most of this forenoon 
in searching for a man lost in the woods and sup- 
posed to be dead. ]\Iade no discovery. There is 
no church and no preaching here today. It 
seems to be a place for lounging and gossip. In 
the afternoon attended a wedding and saw Mr. 
Higln' united in 'hvmen's gentle bonds' to Miss 
.■\nn Gorham." On Tuesday, August ist, he 
wrote : "This day I have been viewing the lands 
in the vicinity of the village. Concluded to pur- 
chase within a short distance of the village. The 
lands on the Chicago road now being built from 
Chicago east are mostly taken up by speculators, 
and also on the river." After purchasing land. Mr. 
Norris returned to New York for his family and 
returned to Ypsilanti, June 16, 1828. The party 
from New York consisted of Mr. and Mrs Norris 
and their two children, afterwards Judge Lyman 
D. Norris and Mrs. Elvira N. FoUctt, and a Mrs. 
Curtis who was on her way to visit her son in 
Superior. In Detroit they secured a horse and a 



566 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



two-wheeled gig, and started for Ypsilanti in 
company with Air. Anson llrown, an Ann Arbor 
merchant, who took the tw'o cliildren with him in 
his one-horse wagon, the two ladies riding in the 
gig. and Mr. Norris walking. They reached Dix- 
boro about thirty-eight hours after they started, 
having stopped one night at a wayside tavern. At 
Dixboro they remained over night with Mr. and 
Mrs. Martin. Here the party separated, and Mr. 
and Mrs. Norris and children continued on alone 
to Ypsilanti. After a weary walk, the children 
riding in the gig. Mr. Norris exclaimed, "There's 
Ypsilanti." Mrs. Norris has thus described her 
emotions, "In a moment I was seated on a log 
looking over the half mile of distance — no house 
in sight, only a board shanty, with a wreath of 
smoky vapor creeping out of a chim]) of hazel 
bushes on the banks of the Huron. Wearied, 
soiled and worn, not a soul to greet me whose 
face I had ever seen before, except my little fam- 
ily, it was little wonder that I leaned my liead for- 
ward on the stump and burst into tears," but that 
was soon over. Urging her husband to go for- 
ward and prepare their reception and provide 
something for two hungry children, the mother 
and two little ones trudged slowly onward to a 
narrow foot bridge, quite new, and stretclieil 
across the Huron, where now the lower iron 
bridge is erected. The river was rapid, narrow 
and clear. The bank on the west was a 
stee]) and dangerous hill, at the top of 
which on the right was a block house, 
before this Godfroy's trading post, but then 
(i82<Sl a country tavern kept by Judge Oliver 
Whitmore. They moved at once into their house 
on the southeast corner oi Washington and Con- 
gress streets, out of which Mrs. Chester Perry 
was moving. The front of the house w^as occu- 
pied as a store by Arden H. Hallard and Levi 
Cook. Mr. Norris built a dam across the river 
and erected a building for his carding machine, 
which was ready for use in the fall of 1828. In 
December of that year, Mrs. Norris opened a 
small school, assisted by Lorenzo Davis, after- 
wards an Ann Arbor editor. In Alarch, 1829. 
they moved into the first frame house built on the 
east side of the river. In 1829 property in Ypsi- 
lanti changed hands rapidly. A Mr. Hovev 



taught the school and a Mr. Perry opened a new 
tavern. 

Ypsilanti, at an early date, had not obtained a 
reputation for sobriety ; but in this respect was 
undoubtedly like most of the other frontier set- 
tlements. This phase has been well stated by 
Rev. G. L. Foster in his sermon on "The Past of 
Ypsilanti" delivered on leaving the old Presbyte- 
rian church edifice in Ypsilanti, September 20, 
185 r, who spoke as follows : 

"The first trading house had been established 
in part for the purpose of trafficking with the In- 
dians in intoxicating drinks ; and when permanent 
settlers came in, they brought these 'comforts of 
life' with them. To use these drinks then, was 
more common everywhere than now. The first 
settlers here were not religious men. For several 
years nobody lived here who could publicly pray. 
The first public prayer offered in the county was 
by Deacon Ezra Maynard in 1824, when passing 
through with Colonel Rumsey to settle near 
where Ann Arbor now is. There was no religious 
nucleus around which the people might gather, 
and no strong religious heart radiating its influ- 
ence for good. There was nothing to make the 
Sab1)ath differ from other days of the week, ex- 
cejit that idleness was germinating and cultivating 
its natural fruits. Those who created and con- 
trolled the public sentiment professed to be free 
from religious restraints : they wished to be re- 
strained only from such excesses as would hinder 
the reputation and progress of the town. The 
moral state of things, as late as 1829, could not 
have been very desirable, according to the state- 
ment I have recentlv received from the fir.st mis- 
sionary (Rev. ^^'illianl Jones) sent here from 
New York, though some religious people had 
already come in. Lie says : 

" T arri^■ed at Ypsilanti on October 3, 1829, and 
found the people without a church, and in a de- 
plorable condition, .\lmost the whole village, 
with few exceptions, were given over to the unre- 
strained indulgence in intoxicating drinks. The 
holy Sabbath was openlv desecrated by revelry, 
drunkenness and the pitching of quoits on the 
banks of the river. The first Sabbath after my 
arrival, as they were without even a schoolhouse 
or a public room for meeting, I met the people in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



567 



a private dwelling; but the fetid breath of intoxi- 
cation sensibly impregnated and polluted the at- 
mosphere of the room. These things were liter- 
ally true. I entered the field under heart-sicken- 
ing circumstances. I felt that nothing could be 
done until the people were restored to sobriety. 
So I invited difTerent neighborhoods together and 
read to them Dr. Beecher's sermons on the use 
of intoxicating drinks. Attention was arrested, a 
temperance society was formed in Ypsilanti ; and 
from thence the temperance reformation spread 
through the county.' 

"About the time tliis missionary came, 
through the influence of certain ones, the people 
generally had come to think that there was too 
much drinking for the pros]>erity of the town. 
Emigrants, after stopping a day or two, would 
pass on : so it was resolved that drinking should 
end off with a grand time on a certain day. and 
that then all should sign the pledge. Well, just 
about when this grand time was being enjoyed — 
when drinkers had drank rather excessively, and 
some temperate men had been forced to taste a 
little — the niissionarv came along on foot to do 
the work nf his mission. One cries out, "There's 
another man ; another says, 'Hold on. boys, I 
guess he is a minister.' 'Never mind,' says a 
third, 'grab him.' .\ general rush was made, 
but, as heads were rolling and feet not very 
nimble, some missed him and others fell head- 
long. His reverence was soon seen in the dis- 
tance giving unmistakable evidence of speed.' 
while the rabble were crying out, 'Catch liim. 
catch him.' " 

In December. 1829, a temperance society was 
formed which became very popular during the 
winter. The leaders in the movement were Dr. 
Hays. Esquire Darling and E. M. Skinner, and 
in four weeks thirty-five names were enrolled. 

But previous to the arrival of Rev. Mr. Jones, 
who has described the sad condition of Ypsilanti 
from a religious standpoint, a Sunday-school had 
been organized, in July, 1828, in a log building 
sixteen feet square with fourteen children and 
five adults. There was no one who could n])en 
Avith i)raycr. E. W. .Skinner read a chapter from 
the New Testament and two classes were or- 
ganized, one taught l)y Mrs. Mark Norris and 



the other by Mrs. Doolittle. This school was, 
however, soon closed on account of sickness. In 
the spring of 1830 it was organized by Rev. Mr. 
Gurlev in the "old red building" erected by Sal- 
mon Champion. 

The first log liousc built in Webster was built 
in September, 1824, by Judge Samuel W. Dex- 
ter. Judge Dexter belonged to an old Massa- 
chusetts famih'. His father had been secretary 
of state of the L'uited States and chief justice of 
Massachusetts. Sanuiel W. Dexter was a man 
of means. He bought more land from the gov- 
ernment in Washtenaw county than any other 
one man. He brought more people with him 
than any other ruan and he fully expected to 
found the chief city in the new territory just 
being developed. The bulk of his land purchases 
in Washtenaw county were in Webster, Scio and 
Dexter townships. In all he purchased 3,523.09 
acres of land in W'ashtenaw from the gDvemment, 
of which he bought 926.69 in 1824. 1. 018.87 
acres in 1825. 1,187.37 acres in 1826, 99.99 acres 
in 1829, and 290.17 acres in 1835. His pur- 
chases were distributed in the various townships 
as follows: Scio, 1,237.85 acres; Webster, 997,36 
acres; Dexter, 742.95 acres; Lima, 519.98 acres; 
.Superior. 24.95 acres. His purchases in 1824 
were all in Webster and Scio townships. Judge 
Dexter also 1 "night large tracts of land outside 
of Washtenaw, notably in Shiawassee, Lenawee, 
Ionia and Saginaw counties. In 1835 he laid out 
.Saginaw city, donated the land for the court- 
house and secured the county seat after the com- 
missioners had first selected East Saginaw. In 
1833 he conducted a colony of ■ji persons from 
New York to Ionia. Judge Dexter was the first 
county judge in Washtenaw county. He started 
the first newspaper in the county and he was the 
first anti-masonic candidate for congress in 1831, 
being defeated by but a few votes. He came to 
Detroit June 10, 1824, and spent the ne.xt four 
months in the new territory prospecting and buy- 
itig land from tlie government. On .\ugust 22d 
of that year he located his land in Webster. Scio 
and Dexter, and immediately erected a log house 
in Webster. He went back to Massachusetts in 
October to return with his family in the summer 
of 1825. His log house was purcliased and oc- 



568 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



cupied in tlic fall of 1824 by Charles B. Taylor 
and family who thus became the first settlers in 
Webster. Thomas Alexander, from Wales, was 
the first settler in southeastern Webster in May, 
1826. He had first settled in Ann Arbor. The 
same year Luther Bryden and Israel .Vrms, both 
of Massachusetts, settled in Webster and in 1827 
Charles Starks, of Pennsylvania ; Salmon H. 
Matthews, of Massachusetts : Peter Sears, 
Sturms Ivimberley, Ezra Fish and Ira Seymour. 
Among- the arrivals in 1828 was John Williams, 
and in 1829 Munnis Kenny. Munnis Kenny was 
a strong' man in the early history of Washtenaw. 
Born in Vermont, he had received his academic 
education in New Hampshire and his collegiate 
education at Middlebury and Williams Colleges. 
He practiced law and was a member of the New 
Hampshire legislature before coming to Michi- 
gan. In Webster he located a 240-acre farm 
and devoted himself to agriculture. But he took 
a strong stand on political matters and was re- 
garded as a party leader. He presided at con- 
ventions, drafted platforms and was often called 
on to lead his party. He was one of the main 
organizers of the Washtenaw Farmers' Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company, and was for many 
years its secretary. He died in April, 1862, and 
his descendants have proven worthy of him. 

Dixboro was among the first hamlets in Wash- 
tenaw county. We have seen that Elbridge Gee 
built the first house in Superior, but not at Dix- 
boro. To John Dix belongs the honor of making 
the first settlement at Dixboro, and for a long 
time he was supposed to have been the first set- 
tler of Superior. He built his first house in 
June, 1824, and soon after built the first frame 
tarn in the county. This was in July, 1825. 
The following year he built a sawmill, and two 
or three months later a grist mill. Besides these 
lie kept a store for the accommodation of his 
neighbors, thus making Dixboro cjuite a center 
in early pioneer life. Captain Dix was a man with 
a history. Born in Littleton, Massachusetts, in 
1796, he went to sea at sixteen years of age, 
served on a privateer in the War of 181 2, was 
afterwards wrecked on the island of New Zea- 
land, and was a man of remarkable physical and 
mental vigor; but he is said to have been the most 



unpopular man in Washtenaw county, and one 
reason given by the older settlers for this fact 
was that he was from Boston. His wife was 
known to the early Washtenaw settlers as "Lady 
Trass." She belonged to a good Massachusetts 
family, was a fine horsewoman, and a fine shot. 
Captain Dix was a man who did things, and if 
he had been content with his life in Washtenaw, 
Dixboro, which was named after him, might 
have been more than the hamlet that it is. He 
left the county in 1833 and was one of the fili- 
busters who seized Texas, and during the Civil 
war was three times arrested and in danger of 
being hanged because he persisted in remaining a 
Union man, in which opinion he remained until 
the close of the war when he was honored with 
Federal and state offices, and when he died was 
the chief justice of his county. In September, 
1825, Colonel John Brewer and brother, and 
Hiram Robinson, of Cayuga county, New York, 
settled in what is known as the free church 
neighborhood in Superior, but were not able to 
get title to their land until July of the following 
year. Soon thev were joined in this section by 
Hiram H. Tooker, Ebenezer Stacey, John Bram- 
ble, John Newell, Moor Spears and Robert Barr. 
In the same township, two and a half miles dis- 
tant, the pioneer was Henry Kimmel, who came 
from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. 
He had been prospecting, however, the year be- 
fore through Indiana and Michigan, and picked 
Superior as the best of all the lands he saw. He 
sold out mill property he had acquired at 
Kaskaskia, Indiana, and removed to Superior. 
His caravan has been described as, first a primi- 
tive ox cart, the fellies of which were eight inches 
wide and without tires, so made as not to sink 
into the ruts, drawn by four yoke of oxen, the 
cart being filled with o.x yokes and feed for 
horses. Behind this cart came several yoke of 
oxen driven l^y men hired for the purpose of 
taking the lead and fording streams. Next came 
a four-horse team with a large wagon containing 
the tents and cooking utensils, including a barrel 
churn in which butter was made on the way. 
Then came a team with a light wagon contain- 
ing the family trunks and provisions. This was 
followed b\- another wagon for the cattle drivers, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



569 



who followed close behiml with a hundred head 
of cattle, includint;- some youns' deer that had 
been captured on the wa}-. This caravan was 
39 days in reaching Superior, during which time 
no one of the people composed it had slept under 
a roof. During the first year of his residence 
in Superior, Mr. Kimmel erected a large pearl- 
ash refinery, and employed in this and in clearing 
up his land thirty men. In 1826 Mr. Kimmel 
received 300 hogs from Indiana as part payment 
of some debts due him there. In four years Mr. 
Kimmel had paid out of the ashery for his 320 
acres of land which had been cleared up. That 
the asher}^ was a big affair is shown by the fact 
that it produced one ton of salaratus every ten 
days, which was sold in Detroit for $120. Mrs. 
Kimmel was not less active than her husband. 
She extracted teeth. She bled those who were 
not feeling well. She cared for a household of 
forty people. She lived to the advanced age of 
eighty-two and always commanded the respect of 
those she met. The first death in the new settle- 
ment was that of Abram Brewer. The second 
was that of Eben Stace}-, who died in February, 
1827. He came from Vermont to Superior in 
June of 1826 and his knowledge of agriculture 
was held in high regard by the other men of 
the neighborhood who were not farmers but were 
from cities or villages. The next year after Mr. 
Stacey's death his wife married John Bramble, 
whose farm adjoined that chosen by Mr. Stacey. 
A year and a half later Mr. Bramble died. Some- 
time later, Mrs. Bramble, thus left twice a widow 
within three years, married George McKim and 
continued to live on the land purchased from 
the government in 1826 until nearly ninety years 
of age. The first schoolhouse in the township 
was built in 1827 and was taught by Pamelia 
Pattison, whose wages were one dollar per week. 
Within a wear she married David Frost and her 
sister. Delight Pattison, then taught the school. 
John McCormick settled in Dixboro in 1825 and 
it was in his house that the first township meet- 
ing for the town of Panama, which then included 
Superior and Salem, was held, on June 30, 1828. 
Esek Pray settled in the township as early as 
July, 1825. He was a native of Connecticut, 
was married in New York, and brought his fam- 



ily in the fall of 1825. He was the first justice 
of the peace of the township, was a member of 
the convention which gave the assent to the con- 
stitution which admitted Michigan into the 
Union, and was a member of the Michigan state 
legislature. He kept a country tavern for many 
years, and his house was used as a town house 
and all law suits were tried in it. Among the 
other early settlers of the township were Au- 
gustus Root, who was its supervisor in 1829, and 
Shubael Goodspeed, who came in 1826. Daniel 
Crippin, a soldier of the war of 1812, located 
here in 1827 and assisted in raising the first grist 
mill in Dixboro. He was for over fifty years a 
local preacher of the M. E. church. He died in 
1876. So wild was the countr\' when he settled 
in it that he was forced to cut a road two miles 
long to get from his farm on to the main road. 
With him came four of his eight children, Henry 
S., Ira, Anna, and Roger Crippin, who have oc- 
cupied a prominent place in the growth of the 
township. Ichabod Crippin, who came from New 
York, in 1 83 1, was the enrolling officer for this 
section in the famous Toledo war. Henry Gale 
located in 1829. Andrew J. Murray, from 
Goshen, New York, who erected the first steam 
sawmill in Superior, came into the township in 
1827. Robert Geddes located 500 acres in Su- 
]ierior in 1825. He resided part of the time in 
this township and part of the time in Ann Arbor 
town, and was considered one of the wealthiest 
men of the county as he brought $2,400 in cash 
with him when he came. 

Lima township was also first settled in 1825, 
the first man to locate being Samuel Clements 
from Seneca, New York, who went through 
northern Ohio to Michigan in May, 1825, on 
what was then termed a viewing expedition. He 
bought land in Lima on Mill Creek and after 
several months' absence returned to his family, 
sold out his possessions that could not be moved, 
and started for his new home with his goods 
loaded on two wagons, by way of Buffalo. Cross- 
ing the lake on the little steamer "Fair Play" 
after a nine days' voyage they arrived in Detroit. 
Here buying some provisions and two yoke of 
oxen, the family set out for their future home 
on August 6, 1825. After three nights on the 



570 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



road they arrived at the house of Mr. Sutton in 
Northfield. Here their oxen deserted them and 
were only recaptured after a nine-mile chase 
towards Detroit. This cost a delay of a day. 
The next nii;ht they spent at Rumsey"s hotel in 
Ann Arbor, and the next day they arrived at 
Dexter, where Judtje Dexter was eng-aged in 
building a sawmill. Ivcaching their home in 
Lima they unloaded their possessions and for six 
weeks lived in a tent formed by sewing four 
sheets together. In this time six acres of land 
were plowed and sowed to wheat and a log house 
18x24 was constructed. The Clements farm was 
patented September i, 1825. William C. Lemon 
had patented land previous to this but did not 
locate in the township until 1830. Samuel Clem- 
ents, a son of the original settler, and who was 
a small boy at the time of their coming to Lima, 
has left well written reminiscences of the pioneer 
life of that day, which are here transcribed at 
length as giving an excellent view of the early 
pioneer life in Washtenaw. 

"My father's farm was on what was called the 
St. Joseph Lidian Trail, where it crossed Mill 
creek. Large companies of Indians came and 
went along this trail, in the early times of this 
section of Michigan, on their way to Maiden — 
now Amherstburgh — in Canada, for their annui- 
ties or 'presents' as they called them, from the 
British government, for services in the War of 
181 2. I have seen as many as 700 in a company. 
They did not, however, go in such large 'droves,' 
as they were called, but in companies of from 
10 to 30 or 40. The east bank of the crcek 
where the trail crossed it was about thirty rods 
distant from our house. This point was the usual 
camping ground for these traveling bands. They 
were uniformly peaceable and orderly — showing 
as little disposition to troulile people along their 
route as ordinary travelers. 

"There were also large numbers of Indians liv- 
ing in the country around us. They generally 
lived in small companies, sometimes a single 
family by itself, but oftener in groups of from 
three to six lodges. They very frequently en- 
camped for weeks together within a few rods of 
our home and came to our house at all hours— 
by day and night for trade or hospitality. 



"They were generally peaceable and respect- 
ful. Sometimes, however, when intoxicated they 
were insolent and ugly. On one occasion two 
Indians came to our house drunk. My father 
was absent, and my mother was alone with the 
children, there being no man near. The Indians 
were very insolent, demanding food. This at 
that time was very scarce with us. But my 
mother, who was frightened, gave them pork 
and potatoes ; but this did not satisfy them. They 
wanted bread. Of this we were entirely destitute 
at the time. They became so rude and insolent 
that my mother, becoming greatly alarmed, was 
about sending two of my sisters — little girls, one 
twelve and the other ten — to Dexter at evening 
twilight for help. But before they started she 
thought to give them something to eat, and ac- 
cordingly kneaded a cake and placed it in the 
spider before the fire to bake. The Indians 
watched this cake intently, and as soon as it was 
nearly baked one of them seized it, and wrapping 
his blanket around it, they both bolted for the 
door, and mounting their ponies, with a savage 
yell of triumph galloped away. My mother, re- 
lieved of her annoying guests, proceeded, with 
the aid of the children, to barricade the door and 
window so strongly that it would have required 
a Roman battering-ram to effect an entrance. 
.\fter this she made another cake and gave us 
our supper. But we slept quietly during the 
night. Our guests were gone, nor did either of 
them e\er after return to our house. 

"On another occasion an Indian came to our 
house into.xicated while the men were away from 
home, except mv brother, a lad about fifteen at 
that time. He demanded whisky. When told 
that we had none, he seemed incredulous, and 
proposed to search the premises. He started to 
go into the chamber up a ladder, by wdiich we 
usually ascended. My brother seized a two-tined 
pitchfork, which happened to be standing at the 
door, displayed its glittering prongs in a threat- 
ening manner, when Mr. Indian suddenly gave 
up his search, and concluding we might have 
told the truth, walked quietly away. 

"We had attached to our house what we called 
an outdoor cellar, in which my mother kept her 
milk, butter and |)rovisions generally, during the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



571 



summer season. This cellar was by some means 
discovered by a large white dog belonging to an 
Indian camp about a mile away. A careful re- 
connoissance assured him that it was a good place 
to get milk, of which he appeared to be very 
fond. For several successive nights my mother 
complained that her cellar had been invaded by 
foragers, and that such obstructions as she had 
interposed for the protection of the milk, had 
been overcome by the marauders. She accord- 
ingly, as is right and proper, appealed to my 
father for protection and assistance. 

"As it was then a time of profound peace, my 
father regarded such incursions upon the milk as 
clearly against the dignity of the law and the 
guaranteed rights of the people, and loading his 
shot gun with a double charge of buckshot, he 
volunteered in the service of the country to guard 
the door of the cellar. About nine o'clock in the 
evening he appeared, and, as he was boldly 
marching up to the assault, my father opened fire 
u|)on him. So unexpected and well directed was 
the fire that the foe was completely surprised and 
overwhelmed and beat a hasty retreat, mortally 
wounded. The outdoor cellar was thenceforward 
a good place to keep milk. But the old Indian 
owning the dog was greatly offended, and vowed 
to kill my oldest brother whom he suspected of 
having killed his dog. This threat he twice at- 
tempted to execute, but was prevented — once by 
his daughter, an athletic Indian girl, who caught 
and held her father while my brother escaped — 
and once by his gun missing fire, as it was de- 
liberately aimed at my brother, who got out of 
range before it could again be prepared and 
brought to bear upon him. About this time his 
own safety growing out of a mortal quarrel which 
he had with another Indian family, rendered his 
removal from that portion of the country im- 
peratively necessary, and he was thus prevented 
from accomplishing his murderous designs upon 
our family. 

"The country was of course in a state of na- 
ture, and its fierce denizens undisturbed when 
we established our home in it. Some varieties 
of wild animals abounded. Deer were verv 
plenty. We could hardly go a mile in any direc- 
tion without seeing more or less. I have counted 



fiftv-six in a drove. Bears were never numerous 
in our region. They were but seldom met in 
the woods, and when met were always disposed 
to get away as soon as possible. There was oc- 
casionally a lynx and a wild cat seen, but they 
were not plenty. Wolves, however, were abun- 
dant. For several years after our settlement it 
was a ver\- common thing to hear them howling 
around our house. Pkit so far as I know they 
never offered to attack men. They were, however, 
often very bold, approaching near the house and 
attacking such stock as was exposed to them. 

"The night after we moved into our log house 
our dog, a very large, noble animal, was greatly 
disturbed by an unwelcome visitor — one who 
showed him but very little courtesy. He finally 
drove the dog close up to the blanket door of 
the house, and took possession of some bones tliat 
were scattered about the site of the tent where 
we had lived. The night was so dark that he 
could not be seen, though not two rods distant, 
but he could be heard gnawing the bones.. My 
father put his rifle through the crack between the 
logs of our house and, guided liy the sound of 
the cracking bones, thought if nothing more, he 
would fire a salute in honor of our dog's noc- 
turnal visitor. The ball took effect in the neck, 
just below the ear, and stopped the gnawing and 
cracking of bones instantly. Taking a brand 
from the fire my father rushed out and there lay 
dead an enormous gray wolf. 

".\t another time, a few years later, my father 
had a very fine calf in the little pasture within 
six or eight rods of the house. One morning, 
when he went to see the calf, we found nothing 
but bloody fragments, showing that poor bossie 
had been visited by a cruel stranger the night 
before, who was very fond of veal. But Bossie 
was not long unavenged. For gathering the 
fragments and binding them together with a 
strong cord, we attached a chalk line at one end 
to the veal, and the other to the trigger of a 
flint lock gun by the side of which two other 
guns with open pans, were placed, all securely 
tied in their places, and each carefully aimed just 
above the veal, .\bout 11 o'clock that night we 
were aroused by the simultaneous discharge of 
three guns, and upon going to the place we found 



572 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



a gray wolf of the larg-cst size lax'iiig' in iitler un- 
consciousness beside the remains of his victim. 
The bounty on his scalp (laid for tlic daniag'e lie 
had done. 

"There were, of course, great privations in 
those early days. Hut as 1 recur to them I can 
hardly appreciate them. We generally had 
enough of something to eat, enough to wear to 
keep us warm and a place to rest. Give a child 
these — all we really need — and it will be happy. 
We enjoy luxuries in food, dress and homes. But 
these enjoyments are only temporary. Plain food, 
coarse clothing, and humble dwellings satisfy the 
demands of nature, and in the absence of luxury, 
we forget our privations, if wc are as well ofY 
as our associates. 

"Bread, potatoes and salt pork were our staples 
of food. We had butter when wc could make it 
for ourselves. Sugar was kept for company, and 
did not enter into the ordinary family use. Of 
coffee we had absolutely none. Our tea was gen- 
erally of sassafras or sage leaves. Our sauce was 
made by mixing about equal quantities of stewed 
pumpkins and cranberries without sugar. 

"By the time we had moved into our house, six 
weeks after our arrixal, our provisions were ex- 
hausted, and Detroit, distant then, going and re- 
turning, eight days' hard traveling, was our near- 
est depot of supplies. My father, with my oldest 
brother, accordingly started the day after we 
moved into our house for provisions and the re- 
mainder of our goods, leaving my mother and 
five children alone in our cabin in the wilderness, 
with nothing to eat but some salt, rusty pork. 
The next day after his departure my mother sent 
my two sisters whose ages have already been 
given, to Dexter, four miles away, with a little 
tin pail to borrow some flour for us to subsist 
upon until my father's return. They brought 
back eight or ten pounds. But this, though care- 
fully eked out, was soon consumed and we actu- 
ally lived several days on salt, rusty pork and 
cranberries which we gathered from a salt marsh 
near at hand, without sugar. 

"Our corn, and a very limited supply of pota- 
toes for our first winter were obtained at Wood- 
ruff's Grove, a point on the Huron about a mile 
below Ypsilanti. In the spring of 1826 we fitted 



out two canoes, and lloatcd them down the creek 
into the Huron, and thence to the farm of the late 
Colonel Orrin White, about three miles, for pota- 
toes for seed and summer use. The canoes were 
pnlleil up the river to Dexter, and thence the po- 
tatoes were brought home by wagon. But the 
supply was so short that the utmost economy was 
necessary. \\'e cut off the eyes of the potatoes in 
slices as thin as we dare, and planted them, while 
we saved the heart for family use. An incident 
occurred while my lather and brother were away, 
as just described, illustrating the feeling of neigh- 
borly kindness which prevailed among the people 
in those early times. 

"We had a large red ox that we used to call 
"Old lien." Well, in his eagerness for the tender 
grass which grew at that season only on the 
marshes, old Ben got mired, and my mother and 
the children were utterly unable to extricate him. 
To leave him there until father's return we knew 
would be fatal to him, and the only resource left 
was to send the little girls already referred to, to 
Dexter for help. Tn due time two vigorous and 
athletic young men appeared, and with the aid of 
rails used as levers and a yoke of oxen attached 
to a verv long chain, nld Hen was placed on dry 
ground, and the young men with the utmost 
cheerfulness hurried back to their homes, glad 
that they had done a neighbor a kindness. 

"As I look back to those days and remember 
the genuine pleasure we had in our social inter- 
course, and the eagerness with which we sought 
each other's society, T can not resist the conviction 
that the social sympathies of our nature are 
stronger in that condition of society than they are 
at present. It certainly appears to me that there 
was a greater cordiality among us than we find 
in our present social life. Upon this point I dare 
not speak too positively. I know the influence of 
advancing years upon our susceptibilities and 
sympathies. It may be that the differences which 
we notice and deprecate in this particular arc in 
us and not in society. 

"Descriptions of the manners and style of living 
among our first settlers, then cordial, sincere and 
in good taste, provoke a smile of amused incre- 
dulity at this day, even among those of middle 
life who half know them to be true. T shall al- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



573 



ways remember the first visit from our neighbors, 
and its incidents. It was Friday that we passed 
through, or rather by Dexter, as we were moving 
to our new home. The next Sunday morning 
there occurred in that soHtary house in the wil- 
derness a pleasant scene. Two young gentlemen. 
Captain Jerome Loomis and William Wightman, 
Esq., timidly and deferentially approached two 
young ladies, Miss Hannah Cowan, afterwards 
the wife of Russell Parker, Esq., and another 
whose name is forgotten by the writer, and in- 
vited them to a pleasure ride on that beautiful 
morning to call on their new neighbors. With 
the usual blushes and heart-throbbings the invita- 
tions were accepted. In the shortest time consist- 
ent with the circumstances, the most stylish and 
elaborate "turn out" which the country afforded 
was at the door to receive the party. It consisted 
of a heavy lumber wagon, with the usual square 
box about twenty inches high. The seats were of 
unplaned oak boards, laid across the top of the 
box, with an inch wooden pin through each end 
to prevent them from slipping off. and a yoke of 
young, vigorous broad-horned oxen. In this es- 
tablishment one of the young men acted as Jehu. 
Perched upon his seat, with a blue beech whip- 
stock about ten feet long and a lash to correspond, 
with his fair companion at his side, he gave the 
word of command, 'Go 'long,' and the party, all 
arrayed in their best, started in high glee, promis- 
ing themselves a day of unalloyed pleasure. But 
alas ! for us poor mortals, even the near future is 
hid from us. And 'tis well, for dread of the com- 
ing future would spoil all present and prospective 
enjoyment. The party in due time, following the 
solitary wagon tracks through the woods and 
over the plains, arrived safely at their destination, 
and the day passed rapidly and pleasantly away. 
But as the sun was gradually sinking in the west, a 
black cloud appeared on the southwestern horizon, 
and distant thunders warned all within hearing 
to prepare for a storm. It was then too late for 
our guests to think of reaching their home before 
the shower, and nature seemed to care but little 
for the condition and wishes of men. The cloud 
swept around the western horizon to the north- 
west, and thence, turning to the right, it rushed 
upon us with fearful power, in one of those terri- 
34 



ble August storms which occasionally visit us. 
Our only accommodations were the tent and cov- 
ered wagon already described. But the tent was 
too frail to bear up against the fierceness of the 
winds for a single moment. Hence, while I 
crawled into the covered wagon, I remember see- 
ing my father and our two gentlemen guests take 
their positions on the north side of the tent, and 
by main strength hold it from blowing away, 
while the ladies and smaller children huddled to- 
gether inside, and were thoroughly drenched by 
the rain which filtered through the covering. 
The rain continued till long after dark, so that 
our visitors, per force of circumstances, spent the 
night with us. This visit, so unpleasant in its 
close, furnished amusing incidents to which the 
parties afterwards recurred with pleasure." 

Jerome Loomis settled in the township in June, 
1825. Russell Parker came from New York in 
1826 and resided on the farm he located until 
1880. He was the first supervisor of Lima town- 
ship. ^^'illiam Wightman and William Boucher 
came in 1827. Among the other early settlers 
was Hezekiah Riggs, the first blacksmith of the 
town. He came in 1829. By 1830 Marvin Cad- 
well, Francis Daugherty, James and Thomas 
Mitchell, Elias Easton and John Doane had be- 
come citizens of the township. By 1831 the popu- 
lation had been augmented by John Davis, Calvin 
\\'inslow, Jacob White, Thomas Haffey. Lemuel 
Scott, William Nordman, Guadelope Norman, 
Hiram Gregory, Rev. Arannah Bennett, Hiram 
Andrews, Darius Pierce, Richard Snell, William 
Lemon. Samuel Cooper and John Harford, the 
latter of whom had previously kept a store in Ann 
Arbor. 

Salem was another of the townships that were 
settled in 1825. John Dickerson, Joseph Dicker- 
son and Mrs. Amy Dickerson, of Seneca, New 
York, have the honor of being the first settlers of 
Salem in the fall of 1825. A few days later EI- 
kanah Pratt became their near neighbor. His 
son, Edmund Pratt came in 1826. Accompanying 
him were Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Peters. Roval 
Wheelock. Aaron Blood and John Renwick ar- 
rived in 1825. By 1828 Joseph Lapham, Jacob 
Bullock, Constant Woodworth. Daniel S. Burch, 
Philemon C. Murray, Luther Graham, Orson 



574 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Packard, George Renwick, Joseph Stevens, Sam- 
uel, John and Robert McCormick, Linion Corban. 
Charles Lewis. Thomas Bussey and James Mur- 
ray had arrived. So difficult were the means of 
communication that Airs. Jesse Peters, the second 
white woman in the township, had resided in her 
new home for four months Ijefore she met Mrs. 
Amy Dickerson who had settled here previously. 
The first white child born in the township was 
Isaac Peters, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse 
Peters. The hrst sawmill was Iniilt in 1829 by 
Joseph Lapham. John Dickerson built the first 
log barn in 1827 and later the first frame barn. 

Alexander Laflferty was the first settler of Scio 
and he located on section 25 in October, 1825. but 
he did not remain here many years as he had the 
true spirit of the pioneer and Scio took on the 
shajie of a settled community too quickly to suit 
his aspirations for frontier life. Hiram Putnam 
located on section 18 in the same year but moved 
to Ingham ten years later. Russell Parker, James 
Cleland, George W. Patterson and Elias Smith 
were among those who arrived in 1826. Hiram 
Arnold, Robert McCartney, Samuel Rath, Rufus 
Knight, James Popkins, Cornelius Briggs, Vree- 
bon Pates and George Babcock were among the 
settlers of 1827. 

The village of Dexter in this township is lo- 
cated on land purchased from the government b\- 
Samuel W. Dexter in 1824, but the village was 
not platted until the summer of 1830. Previous 
to that time, however, there were located in what 
is now the village Judge Dexter and his family. 
Dr. Cyril Nichols, Samuel W. Foster, A. D. 
Crane and John A. Conway. Judge Dexter had 
a grist mill and a sawmill on Mill creek. Conway 
kept a tavern, the only one at this day west of 
Ann Arbor within the comity. Dr. Nichols was 
living on the west side of the river and he doc- 
tored all the early settlers for many miles. He 
was a Vermont man who came to Dexter in 1826. 
Samuel W. Foster was a miller who came from 
Rhode Island and was in the employ of Judge 
Dexter for some years, later removing to and 
located at the village of Scio, where he built a 
mill. Selling this out he built another mill at 
what is now called Foster station. Later he 
joined the gold seekers in California, where he 



died. The first store in Dexter was opened by 
Charles P. Cowden in 1830, and the next spring 
Nelson H. Wing had opened his store. Shortly 
afterwards William C. Pease and Richard lirower 
became Dexter merchants. The first schoolhouse 
in the township was on section 14 and was built 
in 1829 and known as the Arnold schoolhouse. 

The first settlement of Dexter township was in 
May in 1825 by Nathaniel and Sylvanus Noble 
who had settled in Ann Arlior township the year 
jjrcvious and whose settlement in Dexter is de- 
scribed on previous pages. Joseph Arnold, Rufus 
Grossman and Henry Warner located in 1826, and 
within the next two years Cornelius Osterhaut, C. 
S. (ioodrich, David Dudley, Charles B. Taylor, 
Richard Brower, Levi Whitcomb, Thomas Lee. 
Roger Carr, Isaiah Phel]is, Sidney F. Derby and 
Clark I'erry had located here. Osterhaut built a 
sawmill where the Hudson mills now stand in 
1827. Judge De.xter and Isaac Pomeroy built 
another sawmill in the township on the site of the 
present Dover mills, in 1832. The first inhab- 
itants in the township were mostly from New 
York, though a few came from the New^ England 
states. The first Irishman to settle in the town- 
sliip was Patrick Curtin who had not arrived 
until 1834. At the present day a majority of the 
citizens of the township can undoubtedly trace 
their descent from the Emerald Isle. 

The first purchaser of land in the township of 
Lodi was Hugh Christie who, however, never set- 
tled in the tow-nship. He located his land on Sep- 
tember 29, 1824. The first actual settler was 
Allen Williams who located his land in the gov- 
ernment office in Detroit on May 9, 1825, and he 
it was who built the first log house. During 1825. 
among others, came Rufus Knight, Adolphus 
Spoor, ,\aron .\ustin, Russell Briggs, Jesse Me- 
chem. Smith Lapham, Samuel Camp, Orrin Howe 
and Daniel Allmendinger. (^rrin Howe was a 
member of the territorial legislature in 1835-6 and 
was a member of the first state legislature, and 
was again elected representative in 1843. He was 
speaker pro tern of the first Michigan legislature 
and he held a very high position in the councils 
of his party. Daniel Allmendinger was one of the 
first Germans to locate within the county. In 1825 
the pioneers followed a line of marked trees 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



575 



from Ann Arbor, but by the spring of 1826 they 
had cut a wagon track through the woods. The 
settlers by this time were coming in very rapidly 
and among them was Captain Jcihn I.owry who 
was afterwards a member of the legislature. 
( )thers who came in that year were John Cobb, 
Porter Lathrop and Horace and X'irgil IJoiith. 
Within three years the whole eastern part of the 
township had been settled and there was no land 
in that section to be purchased from the govern- 
ment. In 1827 a postoffice was established and 
called Lodi, with Orrin Howe as the tirst post- 
master. In the same \ear the first schtiol was 
ii|iened b}" Miss Polly Stratton in the house of 
Allen Williams. In 1829 the first log schoolhouse 
was built on Lodi Plains and served also for a 
church. In April, 1827, the first birth in the 
township occurred, when Harriet, daughter of 
Smith Lapham, was born. The first death was 
that of Miss Betsey Howe, the daughter of Orrin 
Howe. Piers was the first grave in the present 
cemetery on Lodi Plains. The first sawmill was 
erected by Russell Briggs in 1829 on the Saline 
river. Timothy XV. Hunt settled in Lodi in 1828 
and his wife, who came with him, has left an in- 
teresting description of their arrival in Lodi. Mr. 
Plunt, who had lived in New York, came west in 
the spring of 1828 for the purpose of locating a 
new home, and, hearing in Detroit of the beauti- 
ful lands near Ann Arbor, located lands on sec- 
tions 26 and 35 of Lodi, the last government land 
to be found in that part of the township. He 
erected a house and went back to Xew York for 
his family which consisted of his wife and two 
small children. They arrived at their new lnune 
on Jul_\- 9, 1828. Their journey had been a tedi- 
ous one through dense woods, and thev forded 
the Pluron river at Ann Arbor, which Mrs. Hunt 
says then comprised a few small houses nestled 
among the scattering burr oaks. "The surround- 
ing scenery," says Mrs. Hunt, "was delightful. 
We tarried all night at the only tavern. .As morn- 
ing came we were eager for our last dav's jour- 
ney. Through the woods we went, passing two 
houses before reaching Lodi Plains which nature 
had decked profusely with flowers of every hue, 
interspersed amongst the tall grass with here and 
there a shaded oak which, together with a few 



neat log houses, completed the landscape. On that 
beautiful plain we found our frontier home on the 
ninth of Julv. Not a white man's abode west of 
us, within our knowledge, between there and the 
Rocky mountains. ( hu' house was without a 
door, window, hearth or chimney. We built a 
fire against some green logs. When the smoke 
disturbed us we carried the fire outdoors and 
cooked there. Often times we could ]jeer through 
lietween the logs and see the deer feeding in 
numbers near the house, turkeys, too, in flocks, 
and the red men by hundreds as they passed on a 
well beaten track going to Detroit and Maiden to 
receive presents from the different governments. 
They often filled the house, there being no door 
to shut them out. Then the wolves organized 
regularly at sunset and made the air ring with 
their highest notes. (Ine night a stray one sneaked 
in under the blanket and scratched on the meat 
barrel but a 'Halloo' from the bed made him beat 
a hasty retreat, and as civilization advanced they, 
with the red men, retreated westward. In August 
my husband and one of our little ones were pros- 
trated with the fever. It often became necessarv 
for me to leave the sick ones alone and go with a 
sad heart and hasty step to my nearest neighbor, 
a half a mile distant, for water to cool their 
parched lips and aching heads. About the middle 
of October our eldest son was born, our house 
being in the same unfinished condition. .\11 our 
sash glass with many other necessarv articles 
were to be hauled from Detroit bv o.\ teams over 
almost impassable roads, but by the last of No- 
vember our house was made comfortable. In 
March. 1829, my husband started for Syracuse, 
New York, making his way across the Maumee 
swamp in Ohio which contained but one or two 
houses in forty miles. He made the entire jour- 
ney on foot. In his absence an Indian crept noise- 
lessly to the door, opened it wide enough to show 
his keen eye and feather in his hair, and, seeing a 
nice fire, walked in, three urchins following. I 
bade them begone. He pointed to the corner 
where they spent the night. My every limb trem- 
bled with fear, especially so with my children, the 
eldest not four years and the youngest five months 
old, and my nearest neighbor a half a mile distant. 
He called for potatoes and made signs for milk. 



5/6 



PAST AND I'RESENT OF WASHTExXAW COUNTY. 



He was supplied. He appeared friendly and my 
fears gradually subided. 1 slept quietly, hugging 
my three nestlings, and when day dawned, the 
red men went as they came." 

Orange Risdon bought the first land in Saline 
township where the village of Saline is now 
located, on August 12. 1824. He was a sur- 
veyor and located many of the county seats in 
the various counties of Michigan. Before com- 
ing to Michigan he had aided in laying out Lock- 
port, Brockport and ButTalo. New York. He 
had seen service in the War of 1812 and had ac- 
quired considerable properb,^ in New York which 
was partially swept away in the commercial crisis 
of 1817. He spent several months in Michigan 
in 1823, and in 1S24 rode over 2,000 miles on 
horseback in eastern Michigan with Judge 
Samuel ^^^ Dexter, inspecting laud. He thought 
that Saline, as it is now called, was the spot 
favored above all others that he had inspected 
and he foresaw that the territorial road would be 
built through it. In 1825 ^Ir. Risdon was the 
chief surveyor of the military road from Detroit 
to Chicago, in the United States Government em- 
ploy, in which he continued until 1856. He sur- 
veyed seventy-five townships in Michigan and 
re-surveyed about forty-five others. He of- 
ficiated at the first wedding in Saline, was a high 
Mason, and officiated as deputy grand master in 
laying the cornerstone of the ^Nlichig-an capitol 
building in Detroit in 1823. He died November 
27, 1876, at the age of ninety years. But Mr. 
Risdon was not the first settler in Saline, that 
honor belonging to Leonard IMiller, who settled 
a mile south of what is now Saline village at a 
spot where there were many evidences that a 
large Indian village had once flourished. Here 
was a large salt spring, a favorite resort of deer. 
Six Indian trails centered here and there was a 
large Indian burying ground. Here, too, was to 
be seen the remains of a large well, and it w^as 
reported, with what truth we know not. that 
General Anthony Wayne wintered his army here 
and while here manufactured the salt that they 
needed for the wild game on which they sub- 
sisted. The main salt spring at this point is be- 
lieved to have been in the present bed of the 
river and the salt springs here were in years 



gone by of nnich greater note than now. Leon- 
ard Miller built a double house and used part of 
it for an inn. He was a native of Connecticut 
who first came into the county in 1824, when 
he located near Ypsilanti. He died five years 
after locating in Saline. His son Dudley ]\Iiller 
was fourteen years old at the time of coming to 
Saline, and succeeded his father in the care of 
his family; and the same year, at the age of 
nineteen, a common age for a young man of that 
period to marry, he married Rebecca Gillett. 
Daniel Cross built the second house in 1826 and 
also ran a house of entertainment for man and 
beast. Russell Briggs, Orrin Parsons and Ches- 
ter Parsons came the same year. Orrin Parsons 
was born in ]\Iassachu.setts in 1794 and came to 
Michigan in ]\Iay, 1826, from New York, in 
company with his brother Chester, who was born 
in 1799. They settled about a mile south of 
Saline village, and being in haste to locate their 
land before some other enterprising pioneer 
should locate, they started for the government 
office in ]\[onroe an hour before sunset. Mon- 
roe was distant thirty miles through a dense 
wilderness, with not a single house on the way. 
In the dark they felt their way along an old 
Indian trail with their hands. \Mien daylight 
came they had made twenty miles of the distance 
and it took but a few hours to reach IMonroe. Re- 
turning they built a log house, and in 1827 they 
erected the first sawmill in Saline. In 1829 
Orrin Parsons built the first frame house in the 
township. They cut a road from Saline village 
to intersect Tecumseh road, and six persons made 
the first trip over it with a yoke of oxen to 
^lonroe for provisions. The trip occupied three 
days. Orrin Parsons was. in April, 1831, elected 
the second supervisor of Saline, to which position 
he was re-elected eight different times, and in 
1846 he was a member of the state legislature. In 
1828 he erected a grist mill which he ran for a 
number of years. He died in 185 1. His brother, 
Chester Parsons, lived for many years after him. 
.\lfred and .\shur Davis came to Saline in 1826, 
Ashur dying soon after: and Alfred was the first 
supervisor of the township, being elected in April, 
1830. He was again made supen-isor in 1834, 
and afterwards went to Grand Rapids, where he 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



577 



lived for many years. Among the other early 
settlers of Saline were three Revolutionary 
soldiers all of whom are buried in the township. 
These were Timothy Cruttenden, Archibald Arm- 
strong and Dr. Francis Smith. Timothy Crut- 
tenden was born in Connecticut in 1747, but was 
living in .Massachusetts at the outbreak of the 
Kevolutionarx- war. and in 1776 went to ^Montreal 
and Quebec, being driven back with the other 
Americans by the approach of the P>ritish trans- 
ports. He took part in the campaign against 
Burgoyne and witnessed die surrender of that 
P)ritish leader. Archibald Armstrong was in the 
siege of Fort Schuyler and in the battles of 
Cowpens, Monmouth, Germantown and York- 
town, where he witnessed the surrender of Corn- 
wallis. He also witnessed the execution of ]\Iajor 
.Andre and drummed Ids death march. He 
sounded the salute when Cornwallis surrendered 
and the Americans had won their independence. 
-A. B. Markham, of Plymouth, fifty years later 
describes a prospecting journey he made in De- 
cember, 1827, on a French pony. He visited 
Saline to find Orange Risdon from whom he 
gained considerable information, and journeyed 
on to the western part of ^Michigan. "After 
leaving Saline with its two or three houses," he 
said, "I saw no other dwelling till I got to Jones, 
where Jonesville is now," so remote from each 
other were the early settlers. Coming later into 
the township than those who have been men- 
tioned, but still among the early settlers, were 
Robert Mills, George W. Miller, Norman G. 
Fowler. Daniel Wallace, Lewis 'M. Phelps, Rob- 
ert Edmunds, Freeman Moulton, Daniel Ham- 
mond, Robert Hammond, Jeremiah and John 
Smith. William M. Gregory, Smith Lapham, 
Aaron Goodrich, Robert Shaw, John Kanouse, 
George Partridge, Joseph Annin, James Russell 
and Jacob Sherman. The first birth was the 
daughter of ]\Ir. and Mrs. Leonard Miller, who 
became Mrs. Louis Stoddard. The first death 
was that of Ashur Davis, in 1827. The first 
marriage was of Robert Craig to Miss Polly 
Gilbert, on .\pril 12, 1829. The first schoolhouse 
was built through the efforts of Russell Briggs, 
a mile west of Saline, in 1831, and the school 
was taught by Calvin Lamb and afterwards by 
Miss Harriett Sumner and Mrs. Russell Mills. 



York township was settled as early as 1824. 
-Among the first settlers was Alanson Snow, 
known to the Indians as "Matchi Agon," "Indian 
hater." When a lad his father's family had been 
massacred in the boy's presence in Ohio, and the 
bov vowed eternal vengeance upon the Indians, 
a vow he kept. For months he would range the 
woods for the sole purpose of getting a shot at 
the Indians, and the Indians came to regard him 
as in possession of a commission from the Great 
Spirit to destroy them, and fled at his approach. 
As civilization followed him, he pushed further 
and further into the wilderness to keep the vow 
he had made as a child. Among others who came 
from Ohio with Alanson Snow were Capt. 
John Thayer and the Hall brothers. Capt. 
Thaver had been in command of a vessel on Lake 
Erie. His daughter, Abigail, when a girl six- 
teen years old, attended a sugar bush two miles 
from the house in a dense forest where were 
bears and wolves and panthers, staying by the 
bush night and day alone, her lodge a hollow 
tree. Among the other early settlers of York 
were Oscar McClough, Samuel Bishop, William 
Shaw, Thomas Shaw, William Richards, John 
Parsons. Leander le Baron, Ephraim Judd, 
Josiah Hathaway, Lorain Mills, Jacob Cook, Caleb 
Moore. Lorain ]Moore, Daniel Carpenter, Shef- 
field Newton, Isaac Clark, Jesse Warner, Mat- 
thew Salisbury, Arthur Coe, Aaron Wheeler, 
James M. Kelsey, James i\Iiller, Conrad Red- 
ner and Casey Starks. Nearly all of these set- 
tlers were from New York. 

Augusta and Bridgewater were settled in 
1829. The first settlers of Augusta were Andrew 
Muir and James Miller. The latter located at 
Stony Creek and was the pioneer of the village. 
He was also the father of Andrew Miller, the 
first white child born in the township. Andrew 
Muir had been an officer in the British army at 
the time of the battle of Waterloo. He was born 
in Scotland and his daughters were the mothers 
of the Campbells and McDougalls who are promi- 
nent residents of the county today. His daughter, 
Mary Muir, was married to George McDougall, 
a Scotchman who came to Ypsilanti in 1828 and 
worked on the first frame mill in that place which 
he ran for twenty-five years. As illustrative of 
the condition of the county at the time of its early 



578 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



settlenuMit, it may he stated that Mrs. McDougall 
set I nit from ^'psilalni to visit her father in 
Augusta i)y way of an Iniliaii trail, wearing- a 
pair of new shoes. A tree had fallen over the 
trail and she was obliged to go around it, hut 
failed to again strike the ]iath. She started again 
in what she thought was the direction of her 
father's home hut was ahsolutel\' lost in the wil- 
derness. She slept out in tiie opening with howl- 
ing wolves disturbing her rest and could find 
no trace of any settlement till uiion the second 
day she heard a dog hark and soon came upon 
some cows with whom she stayed till they went 
home, where she found herself three miles below 
Saline. Her husband had not been worrying about 
her because he knew that she had gone to her 
father's. Her father had not worried because he 
had not known that she was coming. Her new- 
shoes were worn out. The kind family who took 
her in near Saline escorted her to her father's 
home in Augusta. Mrs. McDougall was the 
mother of John and George McDougall, promi- 
nent residents, at the present day, of Superior. 
She died in 1S79. Prince Bennett settled in 
Augusta in 1831, coming from New York. Wil- 
liam Sanderson, of Massachusetts, came from 
Ypsilanti. where he settled in 1830, to Augusta, 
in 1832, .-nid lived on the land he located to a 
ripe old age. John Minzie located in Augusta 
township in 1833. His parentis were natives of 
Scotland l)ut he was born in New York and ar- 
rived in Augusta with but a dollar in money in 
his pockets, and a wife and little one to care for. 
He first worked as a farm hand, his pav being 
twent\- Inisliels of wheat a month. He aided in 
building the first schoolhouse and in organizing 
the townshi]), and raised a family of twelve chil- 
dren. Harmon W-dder located in Augusta in 
1833 and built a eal)in on the land where he 
lived until 1879. Aaron Childs, who was born 
in New Hampshire in 1806, came to Augusta in 
1834, and it was at his residence that the first 
township meeting was held, and he was clerk at 
the first township election. He served as super- 
visor of his township for fifteen terms. He was 
a member of the legislature in 1871 and 1872. 
Augusta was slowly settled lint it was not 
imtil after the thorough ilrainatje of the town- 



ship that the x-alue of its lands for agricultural 
purposes came fully to be appreciated. 

Col. Daniel Hixon was the first settler in 
Bridgewater in i82(). He had first located at 
Tecumseh when that village contained onlv two 
houses. ISridgewater at this time was part of the 
township of 'Dexter but in 1832 when Bridge- 
water and .Manchester were set apart from Dex- 
ter they were organized into one township called 
Hixon, after Daniel Hixon, the first settler of 
Bri(lge^\■at^■r. Hixon did not remain in Bridge- 
water long but moved a few miles south to Clin- 
ton, Lenawee county. He was a member of the 
state constitutional conventions of 1850 and 
i8C>7; and also a representative and later a sen- 
ator in the state legislature. The second settler 
was Ceorge Lazelle, who was born in Massa- 
chusetts and who lived in Bridgewater from 1829 
until his death, September 24, 1887. He first 
purchased land in Ann Arbor and went back to 
New York, returning in 1829, wdien he purchased, 
his farm in southern ISridgewater on May 2gth of 
that year. When he left .Ann Arbor for his new 
home in I'.ridgewater he started out with two 
companions in a southerly direction through the 
county which he described as little more than a 
wilderness, and arrived at a house about a mile 
south of Saline for dinner. From there, there 
was no road and the men had to make their way 
as best they could. After considerable difficulty 
the}- found tlic house of Daniel Hixon, the first 
settler, and the next day Lazelle and Hixon went 
to Tecumseh and planted com on ground where 
Tecumseh now stands. For twenty-four terms 
Lazelle taught Clinton school. For nine years 
he was supervisor of Bridgewater and he saw 
service in the Black Hawk war. George La- 
zelle's two companions on the trip to Bridge- 
water were T. Lazelle and E. Wheelock. The 
next \ear came B. H. Felton, Jacob Gilbert, 
James Crampton, and Thomas Pickett. Then 
came C. W. Sargent, \). Way, Harvey Ephraim 
and Esther Piatt, Thomas, Elizabeth and 
\n\rd Gilbert, Daniel Porter. John Haynes, John 
\'alentine, Norman L. Conklin, Daniel Brooks, 
John Scott. H. .A. Katner, M. Dewey, Stephen 
and Lawrence Walters, Geo. Howe, Shove Minor, 
Lewis Tngersoll, Af. Mitchell. Jonathan Mitcliell, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



579 



Bennager and Benjamin Lockerbv, M. Darby, 
Jolin Lynch, Russell M. Randall, William Ruck- 
man. Lyman and Reuben Downs. George L. 
Calhoun, John Wilson. Washington Hewitt, W. 
H. Arells. W. W. Plummer, Henry Bird, Jacob 
Dubois, E. Graves, M. Evans, Charles Brush, 
J. T. Calhoun and Xorman Calhoun. The first 
birth in the township was that of Henrietta 
Hixon who married the Rev. D. Kedzie, of Three 
Rivers. The first marriage was that of Dennis 
Lancaster to Harriet Frederick. The first death 
was that of Mrs. Thomas Bouldin. who was 
buried on the farm afterwards owned by 
Emanuel Feldkamp. In 1830 Jacob Gilbert and 
James Crampton started out on the Pottawatomie 
trail, which ran through Bridgewater. one Sunday 
morning to see the country, of course taking their 
firearms with them. The sight of some game 
lured them from the trail and they lost their way. 
They did not see a sign of habitation until about 
midnight when they came upon a small cabin in 
which a man was keeping bachelor's hall. They 
stayed over night and took breakfast and started 
for home which they expected to reach in an 
hour. After traveling hard all day. nightfall 
found them within sight of the same cabin. They 
started again the next morning and the ne.xt 
night did not have the good luck of finding shel- 
ter. It was not until Thursday noon that they 
reached home from their short walk. .Such were 
some of the difficulties experienced in a county 
which had no roads. John Haynes, an early 
Bridgewater settler, has the reputation of hav- 
ing shot five wolves with one bullet. 

The town of Sylvan was not settled until 1S30 
when Cyrus Beckwith located on section 14. He 
brought his family with him. Previous to his 
settlement he had e.xplored the township accompa- 
nied by William .\. Begole who had assisted him 
in erecting a log house. Mr. Begole had come to 
Ann Arbor in 1829. He worked for Mr. Beck- 
with until 1831. when he located a farm on section 
26 of Sylvan, and the following year married 
.Abigail Xowland. of Scio. In 1831 Jesse Smith 
located and built his house. Elias H. Kelly lo- 
cated in 1831 but did not finish his house until the 
following year. In 1832 Henry Depew settled on 
a farm on section 13 on which he died in 1875. 



These settlers had come from New York. In 
1832 a number of families from Sharon, Addison 
county, \'ermont, settled in the w'estern part of 
Washtenaw, .\mong them were Warren A. Da- 
vis, Truman Lawrence and .Arlo H. Fenn. Mr. 
Davis lived on his farm where he located, until 
1879. Mr. Fenn resided on his farm until he died 
Julv I. 1876. He was a charter member of the 
first BajJtist church in .Sylvan, organized July I, 
1833. and for over twenty years was a deacon in 
this church. In 1832 Stephen J. Chase and .\'a- 
than Pierce came from Ontario county. New 
York. Nathan Pierce had been born in Massa- 
chusetts, had served in the War of 181 2. and was 
taken prisoner in the battle of Queenstown. The 
settlement he made in .Sylvan afterwards became 
known as Picrceville. Mr. Pierce represented 
Washtenaw county in the house of representatives 
for three terms, and afterwards represented Cal- 
houn county, to which he moved in 1844, in the 
house two and in the senate three t«rms, 
iand was a member of the constitutional 
convention of 1850. He was a man of 
gigantic stature and an old-line whig of 
strong will, and subsequently a strong 
republican. He died in 1862. His son, 
Hiram, who came with him from New York, was 
supervisor of Sylvan for a number of years. Da- 
rius Pierce, a brother, represented W'ashtenaw in 
the legislature in 1846 and 1847. and died near 
Chelsea May 19, 1887. Edwin E. Conklin, who 
had married Miss Euphronia llickox the year 
previous, settled in 1832. Mrs. Conklin has the 
honor of having named the township Sylvan. Cal- 
vin Hickox, Joseph Peter Riggs and Ira Spauld- 
ing settled about 1832 and the following year 
came Daniel Fenn, Tully Fenn, Amos W. Davis 
and Dennis Warner. Tn quick succession Mahlon 
Wines, Joel B. Boyington. John M. Cummings, 
Elisha Congdon, Thomas H. Godfrey, Isaac 
Godfrey, .\donijah Godfrey. .\zel Backus, 
^lahlon Beakes, Dr. Sears. Hugh Davidson. Al- 
fred Holt, and .Arnold S. Bell. At this date the 
territorial road ran through the township just as 
it exists to-day. The road from Chelsea to Man- 
chester was built in 1832 and at this time there 
was a road to Bingham's sawmill in Lima town- 
ship where the early settlers had their lumber cut. 



58o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



In 1832 all the mail for Sylvan came to Dexter. 
The township of Sylvan was organized in 1834. 

It was not until June. 1831, that James W. 
Hill, following the Indian trail towards what is 
now iManchester. made the first settlement in 
Freedom. He built a house on the farm after- 
wards owned by John Alber. He plowed and 
sowed five acres of wheat that season. He was a 
great believer in education and established the 
first school in the township in his own house. It 
was his influence which carried the measure for 
the first district school in the township, which he 
taught. That fall came Hugh Campbell, Jason 
Gillett, Robert Myers, Matthew Myers and Jacob 
Haas. In 1832 came Roswell Preston, Sr., Ros- 
well Preston, Jr., Eben Boyden, Levi Rodgers, 
Lyman Williams. Reuben Williams, Anthony 
Rouse, Elisha .\dams and D. Haas. There was 
a rush of settlers into the township in 1833 and 
it will be noticed that many of them bore English 
names, in striking contrast with the names now 
common in Freedom. Still many of these settlers 
were of German descent. Among the emigants 
of 1833 were Levi Thomas, Obadiah Force, Cyrus 
Pearson, Daniel Kent, James W. Tyler, H. M. 
Griffin, William Douglas, Archer Crane, Edward 
Litchfield, Reuben Wellman, Sr., Noah Smalley, 
Henry Smalley, Jacob Preston, Henry Smith, 
John Schneeburger, James Fellows, Festus A. 
Fellows, Cornelius Polhemus, David C, James G. 
and David Raymond, Sam S. Peekins, John 
Faulkner, William Ossius, Jacob Koch, John 
Haap, Henry and George Lindensmith. Thomas 
Roth. William Preston, Alexander Peekins. 
George Hoenberger, Manasseh B. Wellman. 
Amos Koypendall, Bernard Listz. Samuel Wood. 
John Dowd and Alexander Danielson. The first 
death in Freedom was accidental, and occurred in 
October, 1831, when Jacob Haas, a young man 
of twenty, was killed while cutting logs with his 
father, a heavy oak falling upon his body. A year 
later David Cook and William Campbell assisted 
in raising Bingham's sawmill in Lima, and started 
for their home in Freedom, but owing to a poor 
pocket compass they soon lost their way. They 
pressed on, however, until finally Campbell be- 
came so exhausted that he could go no further 
Cook finallv succeeded in reaching home and a 



relief party scoured the woods for Campbell who 
was nearly dead when discovered. 

Sharon was first settled in the same year that 
Freedom was. Lewis C. Kellam botight the first 
land of the government on June 22, 1830, and 
Daniel F. Luce purchased the second farm from 
the government on October i, 1830, These lands 
were located in opposite ends of the township. 
Moses Poole purchased lands in the spring of 
1831. and early in that year land was bought by 
David 1. Sloat who built the first house in Sharon. 
In 1 83 1 there was considerable excitement about 
the fine lands in Sharon and by the end of that 
year the greater part of the land had been taken. 
x\mong those who came in this year were Ira, 
Anabil and Amos Bullard, John Bessey, M. Burk, 
David Cook, Edward Campbell, James Harlow 
Fellows, R. L. Fellows, Joseph O. Gilbert, Francis 
A. Gillett. Henry Row.Gilbert Row, J. R. Sloat, 
Dr. Ebenezer FI. Conklin, Conrad Row, Wait 
Peck, Nicholas Row, John Cobb, Sidney W. 
Dewey, Sabin Johnson, Oliver Kellogg, Henry 
Gilbert, Lewis Allen, Nicholas Becker, Abijah 
Marvin, Marvin Burke, William Campbell and 
George C. Lathrop. Some of these men did not 
build their houses until the following year. Most 
of these men came from the east by way of Erie 
canal, crossing Lake Erie from Buffalo to De- 
troit; and loading up the household effects for 
two or three families upon a lumber wagon drawn 
by oxen they started for Washtenaw, the men 
walking. They saw the rude cabins at Ypsilanti 
and Ann Arbor, laughed at them, and a few days 
later used them as models. The first house in the 
township was built by David I. Sloat, had elm 
bark for a roof and was finished in a week, the 
family moving in in May, 1831. Joseph O. Gil- 
bert plowed the first land in Sharon in June, 
1S31. on the farm which became known later 
as David G. Rose's farm. He was afterwards 
the first postmaster and carried the mail himself 
from Lodi Plains to his house. The winter of 
1831-2 was a very severe one and provisions 
gave out. Edward Campbell and David 
Cook went to Detroit for provisions with an ox 
team. On their way home they were forced to 
abandon their team and attempt to reach home on 
foot through the driving snow. Thev were soon 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



S8i 



lost, and when found by searching parties after 
two or three days, Mr. Campbell was so badly 
frozen that he died within a week. Mr. Cook, 
however, ultimately recovered from his terrible 
exposure. In June, 1832, the first church society 
was organized in the log house of Gilbert Row, 
with nine members — Mr. and Mrs. Henry Row, 
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Row, Mrs. Gil- 
bert Row. Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop, Anthony 
Yerkes and Joseph O. Gilbert. This church so- 
ciety was organized by Rev. E. H. Pilcher, then 
only nineteen years of age. It subsequently 
built a church at Rose Corners. 

Manchester township was settled about the 
same time as were Freedom and Sharon, and by 
1837, when the first township meeting was held, 
it had seventv-nine voters. Emanuel Case built 
the first hotel and the first saw-mill at Manches- 
ter in 1832, and shortly afterward the first grist 
mill was erected through the efforts of John Gil- 
bert who patented the land upon which Manches- 
ter village now stands, and desired to build up 
the town. The lumber used in this grist mill was 
prepared by Emanuel Case, Harry Gilbert, W. S. 
Carr and Elijah Carr. Lewis Allen built the first 
schoolhouse in 1834. William S. Carr, who lo- 
cated in the town in 1833. opened the first store in 
Manchester, which he gave up in 1834. Air. Carr 
was in the legislature of 1840 and in 1850 was 
elected to the constitutional convention. He 
served his town in various cajiacities and lived 
to a good old age. The first postofficc was estab- 
lished in a little hamlet called Noble, in 1833, 
with Harvey Squires as the first postmaster. 
About the same time, or a few weeks later, a 
postoffice was established at the village of Man- 
chester, with Harry Gilbert as first postmaster. 
The liridge crossing the Raisin was built in T833. 

Three brothers were the pioneers of Lvndon 
township. 1'... Jnsiali H. and Harrisun \\'. Col- 
lins arrived in the township in August, 1833. and 
proceeded to build the first log house, the frame 
of which was raised in November, 1833: Init it 
was not until January i, 1834, that S. B. Collins 
moved into it with his newly wedded wife, Par- 
melia Green. This settlement was made on what 
has since been called Collins Plains. During 
1834-5 many settlers located in the township, in- 



cluding Abner P.ruen, John Green, Henry G. 
Holmes. Michael Gilman, Sanniel Boyce, Nathan 
Rose, Dr. John Cooper, Abraham Burgitt, John 
Twamley, Alfred Bruce, Jasper Moore, William 
Watts, John Coleman, David Coleman, Hugh 
Wade, James Stryker, William Wilcox and 
George Sellers. On January i, 1836, Josiah H. 
Collins settled in the township and as soon as 
the weather would permit set out the first orchard 
ever planted in Lyndon. Among the other set- 
tlers were Owen Mclntee, Orman Clark, Horace 
Leek, Eli Rockwell, Jesse Rose, John Cassidy, 
Joseph Yocum, John and Ira Gifford, John Dav- 
idson, Joseph Webster, Stephen Dow, Patrick 
Haggerty, William Bott and Washington Beer- 
man. Owen Mclntee lived to be one hundred 
and four years old and died in 1880. A good 
description has been left of the emigration to 
this county of Orman Clark, who came from 
Genesee county, New York, and who, in 1886, 
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his settle- 
ment, with five children, thirty-two grandchildren 
and nine great-grandchildren. This description 
illustrates many of the hardships endured by the 
early settlers of Lyndon, and is as follows: 

"On the 19th day of October, 1836, Orman 
Clark, with his wife and three children, started 
from the home of their youth in Orangeville, 
Genesee county. New York, for the then territory 
of Michigan. Their locomotive was two yoke of 
cattle; their palace car, a farm wagon made com- 
fortable for its occupants by a cover of cotton 
cloth supported by strong hoops. With this out- 
fit, and a cow led by a rope behind the wagon, 
they made their way through Canada, and arrived 
at the cabin home of Joseph Whitcomb, in the 
town of Dexter, on the 9th of November, having 
performed in twenty-two days a journey that can 
be made now in just half that number of hours. 
Their land was taken up from the government in 
.'September preceding, and Mr. Clark proceeded 
immediately to put up a log cabin into which he 
moved his family on the 31st day of December, 
1836. There were about ten inches of snow on 
the ground, the temperature was in the neighbor- 
hood of zero, the house was chinked between the 
logs only about half wa}' to the beams on which 
the attic floor was afterward laid, the roof was 



58^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



finished on the same day but after the family ar- 
rived, only about half of the floor was laid, there 
being no chimney the fire was built on the ground 
against the green logs that formed one side of the 
cabin, and the chances for comfort were few and 
small. On the day before, j\lr. Clark dug a hole 
in the ground within the walls of the house to 
store a few potatoes, and w^ith the mud made from 
the dirt thrown out, thawed by the sunshine, he 
daubed the chinking around the corner, where 
the bed would be put up. 

"Their first bedsteads were made of tamarack 
poles ; a table Was constructed of a whitewood 
board, the legs being held in place by holes bored 
in the corners. A stick chimney was built as soon 
as possible, the walls chinked and daubed 
throughout. In other respects, the house re- 
mained in the same condition until the next au- 
tumn. It should be mentioned that four weeks 
and a half later, on the second day of February, 
1837, their fourth child was born. Their nearest 
neighbors were Jasper Moore, the father of John 
R. Moore, on the east, and John Sumner on the 
southwest, each nearly two miles distant. Dur- 
ing the winter Mr. Clark made rails and fenced 
in fourteen acres of oak openings, carrying his 
right hand in a sling fully six weeks of the time 
on account of a felon, and using his ax with the 
left. Soon after his arrival he sold one yoke of 
his cattle to obtain the means of wintering the 
other yoke. Their food this winter consisted of 
a little pork they brought with them, venison fur- 
nished by Calvin Hallock. who paid for his board 
with game, and a little flour made from wheat 
obtained from a neighbor. Mr. Clark was no 
hunter. He could work but had neither taste nor 
time for hunting. When spring came only one 
dollar was left in the treasury ; this he paid for a 
bushel of potatoes from which they cut the seeds 
for planting and reserved the remainder for the 
table. That summer he broke up the ground he 
had enclosed during the winter, raised some po- 
tatoes and buckwheat on a part of it, and sowed 
some six or seven acres of wheat in the fall, seed 
which he earned by working for his neighbors 
during the harvest. It should be mentioned that 
wheat from which their bread was made during 
the summer was bought on trust of Nathan 
Pierce, who, it appears, dealt very generously 



witli the emigrant in those days, refusing to sell 
his wheat at $2.50 a bushel to those who would 
pay money for it. and furnishing it to Mr. Clark 
and others in like circumstances for $2.00 charged 
on book account, to be paid for at some uncertain 
time in the future. 

"The second winter was spent living on buck- 
wheat cakes and potatoes and a pig that cost 
$5.00 and was carried eighty rods under Mr. 
Clark's arm. 

"The second summer, though attended by 
many hardships, finmd the famih' in compara- 
tively comfortable circumstances. It required 
most of the first crop of wheat to liquidate debts, 
unavoidably contracted, but fortune smiled, they 
enjoyed good health most of the time, and in a 
few years hardships were exchanged for com- 
forts, and even luxuries were added." 

We have thus seen that every township in 
Washtenaw was settled by 1833, exactly ten years 
after the first settlement was made in Ypsilanti. 



CHAPTER III. 
ORIGIN OF NAMES. 

HOW THE COUNTY, RIVERS, L.\KES, CITIES, VIL- 
L.\GES .\XD TOWNSHIPS GOT THEIR N.\MES. 

Washtenaw county receives its name from 
the Indian name of the Grand river, the larg- 
est river in Michigan, which rises in Sharon 
townshi]!. and flows through Jackson, Ingham, 
Eaton. Clinton, Ionia, Kent and Ottawa counties 
to Lake Michigan. The Indian name of this river 
was Washtenong. There was in some years past 
quite a dispute as to the derivation of the name. 
But, as Schtwlcraft gives the Indian name of the 
Grand river as ^^'ashtenong, as well as other 
writers of an early date, and as this river ran 
tlirough three townships of the county as orig- 
inally laid out, it is fair to presume that this is 
the derivation of the name. Investigation seems 
to indicate that it means simply "grand." and is 
derived from the Indian conception of the char- 
acter of Washington, although it may mean the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



583 



"Land Pjeyond." The following correspondence 
mav ])rovc of interest on this point : 

"Owosso, July 24, 1874. 
"J. J. Parshall, Esq., Ann Arbor. 

"Dear Sir: Major John Todd handed me your 
favor to him yesterday, with a request that I 
should answer it, as his advanced age renders it 
very difficult for him to write, and also because 
I more perfectly understand and speak the In- 
dian tongue, — or rather the Chippewa language. 
I therefore give you the information sought. The 
word "Washtenaw" is anglicized from the In- 
dian word J'Viishtenoiii:;. or Jl'iishfc-iiong, mean- 
ing, literally. The Further District or Land Be- 
yond, — Further Country, — U'ushtc, further, be- 
yond, further on, and noiig. country, district, 
place of. The word ttsed in connection with the 
subject spoken of conveys somewhat different 
meanings. 

"How the name came to be applied to the ter- 
ritory comprising Washtenaw county, I am un- 
able to say, although I spoke the Indian language 
nearly as well as the natives, before the land was 
surveyed by the government. It was never so 
known or called by the Chippewas (or Ojibwas, 
as Schoolcraft has it). Washtenaw was the 
country or district of territory watered by the 
Grand river, — what was known as the Washte- 
naw Sccbc, or Scpca. I remain. 
Respectfully yours, 

' R. V. Williams." 

(To William ]\I. Gregory.) 

"Elbridge, Oceana Co., Michigan. 
May 28. 1877. 

"Sir: — I have the pleasure to answer your let- 
ter dated May i8th. You must excuse me for 
not answering your note before. I was absent. 
You wish to know of me what is the meaning 
of the word "Washtenaw." Well, sir, I have 
had chance to learn and interpret all these words. 
Well, sir, that means a large stream or a large 
river. That was the name of an Indian who lived 
near the mouth and liad a village, and that was 
his hunting and fishing ground. Did not allow 
anyone to hunt except his relatives and friends. 
The Indians used to go back and forth and stop 
with Washtenaw, and by and by they called the 
river by that name, "Washtenaw sebey." This 



was a good many years before the War of 1812. 
I have an old Indian in my care and he is over 
one hundred years old. and he was acquainted 
with Washtenaw. This is all at present. 
Respectfully yours, 

Louis Genereau." 

A copy of Genereau's letter was sent to Rev. 
S. G. Wright, who had been a teacher among the 
Ojibwa Indians, who replied as follows : 

"Leech Lake. Minn.. June 18, 1877. 
"Dear Sir : — 

"Yours of the i;th instant is just received. I 
have no doubt now but I have the full sense of 
the word Washtenaw. The name came, no doubt, 
in this way. An Indian of the Pottawatamie 
tribe, who may have resided in early times as far 
east as Pittsburg, had a son whom he named 
"Washington," from the great general he may 
have seen or heard of. As white settlements ad- 
vanced that tribe was bushed westward and set- 
tled in Michigan and the west of that state. This 
bov, now a man, settled on this river and called it 
after his name, or which may be more likely, it 
was so called by others, as that is common in 
the Indian country. Now the terminations, ong. 
aug, etc., cj-lways signif}- the place of a thing, 
and so the place of living, or residence of this 
man, was called Washtenaug, \\'ashtenong, etc. 
The river Washtenaw sebey and the place would 
come to have the same name that Washington 
now has among these Indians, namely, Washte- 
nong, or the place of Washington. I am glad to 
have got these facts myself and you are welcome 
to what light I may have added to your stock 
of knowledge of the question. I remain. 
Very truly yours, 

S. G. Wright." 

NAMING OF RIVERS. 

The HL'RON river, which rises in the lakes 
of Livingston county and flows through Dexter, 
Webster, Scio, .\nn Arbor, .Superior and Ypsi- 
lanti townships. Wayne and Monroe counties, 
into Lake Erie, a distance of ninety miles as the 
river winds, was called by the Indians the Burnt 
District river, having reference to the oak open- 
ings along; its banks. By the northern Indians it 



584 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



was called the Gkcitatigwciasibi. Its name, 
Huron, comes from the fact that the Wyandottes, 
or Htirons, as the French called them, had a vil- 
lage on its banks near its mouth, shortly after 
the French settled Detroit, and hence it came to 
be called the river of the Hurons. Lake Huron 
had received its name in the same way. When 
the Irocjuois drove the Hurons from Montreal 
they first settled on the Canadian banks of the 
lake, which came to be called the Lake of the 
Hurons. After being- driven from this settlement, 
and being driven back from Minnesota by the 
Sioux, they came to ]\Iichilimackinac, from which, 
a branch of them on invitation came to Detroit 
and established themselves below that city on the 
banks of the Huron. 

The River RAISIX. which rises in ^^^^eatland 
township, Hillsdale county, and flows one hun- 
dred and thirty miles through Jackson count}-, 
Sharon, Manchester and Bridgewater townships, 
Lenawee and Monroe counties, into Lake Erie 
two and a half miles below Monroe, was called 
by the Indians Sliozvaccaemette, or River of the 
Grapes, from the great quantity of wild grapes 
which grew on its banks. The French word for 
grapes is "raisin," hence the French called it 
River Raisin. 

The SALINE river, which rises in Bridge- 
water and fiows through Saline, Lodi and York 
townships and empties into the River Raisin in 
Monroe county, was named from the salt-licks on 
its banks, where the deer used to go for the salt. 

MILL creek, which rises in Sharon and flows 
through Sylvan and Lima into Scio. where it 
empties into the Huron at Dexter, was named 
from the saw-mill erected near its month by 
Judge Dexter in 1824. 

HONEY creek in Scio townshi]!, a tributary 
to the Huron, was named from the honey found 
in such profusion near its banks by the early 
settlers. An old settler has said that the plains 
for several miles up and down this stream on 
either side, before they were disturbed by man, 
were one vast flower bed during the summer sea- 
son, and single trees were found in this locality 
by early settlers from which were taken more 
than three hundred potmds of honey. 

PAINT creek in Ypsilanti and Augusta town- 
ships was named because of the finding of a blu- 



ish cla\- in the bottom of the creek, a kind of 
oily substance which it was at first thought would 
make paint. The Indian name was IVejinigan- 
sibi. 

STONY creek in York and .\ugusta town- 
ships gets its name from its stony bottom, though 
probably not from any point in Washtenaw 
county. 

SL'GAR creek in York and Augusta townships 
is probably named from the maple sugar early 
made on its banks. 

ALLEN'S creek, in Ann Arbor, is named after 
John ,\llen, one of the city's first settlers, who 
bought the land on its banks from the govern- 
ment. 

FLEMING'S creek, of Superior, was named 
after Judge Robert Fleming, who bought the first 
land in Superior in 1823. 

NAMING OF LAKES. 

WHITMORE lake was named after Oliver 
Whitmore, and the name was conferred upon it 
by Jonathan F. Stratton, wdio was the only sur- 
veyor then in Washtenaw county. Mr. Whit- 
more lived in Pittsfield near Ann Arbor, and ac- 
companied Mr. Stratton on a prospecting tour, 
or, as it was called in those days, a "land-looking 
tour." At the approach of night they pitched 
their tent on the bank of this lake, and the next 
morning when they got ready to start, Mr. Strat- 
ton proposed that they call the lake Whitmore 
lake, and wdien he came to make maps of this 
section he so named the lake on them. 

BASE lake was so put down on the map be- 
cause the base line for the ]Michi,g;in government 
survey runs through it. 

PORTAGE lake was so named because it was 
the place from which the Indians, who had come 
up the Huron, transported their canoes to some 
other body of water. The Michigan Gazetteer 
of 1838, in speaking of this name, says : "Por- 
tage seems to have been applied in every case 
wdiere the river, creek or lake so called, was in 
the vicinity of some other, and so near as to fur- 
nish points from which the Indians and fur trad- 
ers embarked and transported their canoes and 
baggage across to some neighboring lake or 
creek. Thus between the Grand and the Huron, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



585 



the St. Joseph and Kalamazoo rivers, there were 
portages and hence the creeks and lakes, the 
the places of arrival and departure received 
this name." 

INDEPENDENCE lake' was so named in 
1827 when a few scattered settlers had a Fourth 
of July celebration there, during which Luther 
Boyden proposed to christen the lake Independ- 
ence, and it was so christened. 

CAVANAUGH lake was named for a Mr. 
Kavanaugh who lived on the shores of the lake 
on the farm now owned by William Snow. The 
name was originally spelled with a K, but was 
changed to its present spelling about twenty years 
ago. 

FOUR MILE lake was so named because it 
is four miles on a direct line west of Dexter. 

HALF MOON lake was named from the half- 
moon-like shape of the contours of its shore lines. 

NAMING OF CITIES AND VILLAGES. 

ANN ARBOR city was named after the first 
two women who settled within its borders, Ann 
Allen, the wife of John Allen, and Ann Rumsey, 
the wife of Elisha Walker Rumsey. Various sto- 
ries have been told as to how the name originated, 
but all agree as to where the "Ann" in the name 
"Ann Arbor" came from. The version which 
has back of it the most evidences of historical 
truth is that which pictures the two Anns, the 
only two white women in the wilderness, often 
uniting the meals for their families under a nat- 
ural arbor situated between the houses of Rum- 
sey and Allen, which, from the frequency with 
which the two women used it, came to be called 
Anns' Arbor. The location of this arbor has been 
lost with the lapse of time, old settlers locating 
it in various parts of the city. The story is dif- 
ferently told by various writers, based upon the 
remembrances of the early settlers. One version 
has it that Allen and Rumsey when they first ar- 
rived pitched their tents on the banks of Allen's 
creek, and built an arbor out of boughs, which 
in honor of their wives they called Anns' Arbor. 
It must be remembered, however, that Ann Allen 
was not in IMichigan at that time, not arriving 
until after her husband had built a log house for 



her habitation. Another version has it that on 
the first arrival of Allen and Rumsey they built 
a shelter out of boughs on land afterward occu- 
pied by Judge Cooley for his home, and that this 
was called Anns' Arbor. Still another version 
locates Anns' Arbor near where the Episcopal 
church now stands. Some of the old settlers, 
however, maintain that the pioneers of this city 
were struck with the general appearance of the 
country hereabouts, which they claimed was a 
natural arbor, and locating here, naturally hon- 
ored their wives by calling it Anns' Arbor. Cal- 
vin Chipman, at the semi-centennial celebration 
here in 1875, claimed the credit of having taken 
the vote which gave the city its name. He said he 
came here in 1824 and assisted in erecting the 
first log house in June, 1824, and that afterward, 
when Mr. Rumsey lived in a log house near the 
present site of the Episcopal church, he built an 
arbor close by it ; and that Mrs. Rumsey one day, 
when a number of the early pioneers were gath- 
ered around, remarked to her husband : "What a 
beautiful arbor we have ! Why not call it Anns' 
Arbor?" Mr. Chipman claimed to have immedi- 
ately put the question to a vote, and the proposi- 
tion carried unanimously, and the town was thus 
named. The Western Emigrant, in its first issue, 
November 18, 1829, contained a letter written 
from this point by a Canadian who was looking 
over the territor}^ of Michigan, to his friends in 
Canada, and in this letter, after describing the 
beauties of Ann Arbor in glowing terms, tells 
the source of its name as follows: "This village 
is the county seat of Washtenaw. It is called 
by a singular name, after the wives of the origi- 
nal })roprietors, Allen and Rumsey, both of the 
name of Ann, the husbands in honor of their 
heroic partners who had endured the hardships 
and privations attendant upon the settlement of a 
new country, calling the village by their names — 
Anns' Arbour, alias Ann Arbor." A search of 
the files of all the early papers discovers no fur- 
ther reference to the origin of the name. The re- 
membrances of most of the early settlers seem to 
have favored the arbor under which the two Anns 
held their "tea parties" ; and we are inclined to 
believe that this is the true origin of the name 
Ann Arbor, which is unlike the name of any other 



586 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



town in the world. The name was originally 
spelt "Ann Arbour."' for the English at that time 
spelt arbor with a "u." The "u" was dropped 
about the time that Michigan became a state. The 
first papers used the letter "u" in spelling the 
name. This was in territorial days. The Michi- 
gan Gazateer of 1838 uses the letter "u" through- 
out the book, but corrects it with an "errata." 

YPSILANTI city was named by Judge Augus- 
tus B. Woodward, who was chief justice of the 
territory, and one of the three men who platted 
Ypsilanti. He lived at Detroit and never resided 
within the county. At the time the village was 
platted the Greek revolution was in progress and 
General Demetrius Ypsilanti, with three hundred 
men and three days' provisions, held the citadel 
of Argos three days against an army of 30,000 
men, and at the end of that time forced his way 
through the Turkish army at night, saving his 
troops without the loss of a man. Judge Wood- 
ward was greatly taken with the heroism of Ypsi- 
lanti, and insisted on naming the new village 
Ypsilanti. John Stewart, the first settler and one 
of the men who platted the village, insisted on 
the village being called Waterville ; and William 
W. Harwood wanted the village to be named 
Palmyra. Finally Stewart and Harwood com- 
promised on the name Springfield, Stewart being 
satisfied with getting some mention of water in 
it; and they sent a surveyor to Detroit to record 
the plat under that name. Woodward absolutely 
refused to accept the name, and by his persistence 
finally brought the others over to accept the name 
Ypsilanti rather than have the plat as their sur- 
veyor had laid it out fail to be recorded. Demet- 
rius Ypsilanti was a brother of Alexander who 
took the leadership to promote the independence 
of Greece in 1820. The Ypsilanti family exist 
to-day in Greece, and are looking forward to 
some day visiting the city of the new world 
named for their illustrious ancestor. 

CHELSEA was named bv Elisha Congdon. 
who gave the ground to the Michigan Central 
for their station which was the starting of the 
village, after his old home. Chelsea, Mas.sachu- 
setts, 

DEXTER was named after Judge Samuel W 
Dexter, who laid out the village. 



DIXBORO was named after Captain John 
Dix, who settled there in 1824, and built a flour- 
ing mil! and ran a saw-mill there. He went to 
Texas in 1833 and died there. 

MANCHESTER was named from the fact 
that most of the early settlers came from Man- 
chester township, Ontario county. New York ; 
and it was the common habit of pioneers, in giv- 
ing names to their new locations, to select the 
names of their home towns. 

AHLAN was named after ■\Iilan township, 
Monroe county, in which part of the village is 
located, 

MOORE\'ILLE was named after its founder, 
John iMoore. 

S.\LIN^E was named from the salt-licks on the 
banks of the river at an early date. 

STONY CREEK was named after a creek of 
the same name, on the banks of which it is lo- 
cated. 

WHITTAKER was named after B. Frank 
Wtiittaker, a merchant who did business south- 
east of what is now the village for a number of 
years, and then started a general store at the vil- 
lage. He afterward went to Belfeville, Ohio, 
where he died. 

WILLIS was named after Willis L. Potter, a 
farmer, who owned most of the land on which 
the village is built. The village was first called 
Potter, btit as there was already a village of that 
name, the name was changed to Willis. 

N.VMES OF TOVVN.SHIP.S. 

ANN ARBOR town was named after the vil- 
lage which was a part of it when it was organized. 

AUGUSTA was named by Judson Durkee, 
who at the meeting to petition for the setting 
aside of the township from Ypsilanti, in 1836, 
proposed the name. He had come from Augusta, 
New York. 

BRIDGEWATER, when it was set apart from 
Manchester in 1833, was called Bridgewater at 
the solicitation of George Howe, after the village 
of that name in Oneida county. New York. Be- 
fore the separation the two towns had been called 
Hixon, after Col. Daniel Hixon, the first settler. 

DEXTER township was named in honor of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



587 



Judge Samuel W. Dexter, the first land owner 
and settler, at whose house the first town meet- 
ing was held. 

FREEDOM was named at the meeting to peti- 
tion for its organization as a township, in Decem- 
ber, 1833, at the house of Henry M. Griffin, when 
twenty-.two voters were present. Great interest 
was taken in selecting the name. Alexander 
Peekins moved that the proposed town be called 
Freedom, and on a ballot taken this name had a 
large majority. 

LIMA was named by Oliver L. Cooper, after 
Lima, New York, a village from near which he 
came when he emigrated to Michigan. 

LODI received its name from Lodi Plains. 

LYNDON was originally called the "Prom- 
ised Land." having reference to that part of the 
township we.st of the short hills. 

J\L\NCHESTER was named after the village 
of Manchester which is within its borders. 

PITTSFIELD was named at a meeting held 
for the purpose of selecting a name for the pro- 
posed new township, in the McCracken school 
house in 1834, at which thirteen were present. 
Each person wanted to select the name of the 
town from which he came. Some of these thir- 
teen names were long ones, and the majority 
wanted a short name. Finally, on motion of Ezra 
Carpenter, seconded by Roderick Bowley, the 
name of Pitt was selected in honor of Pitt, the 
great prime minister of England. When Michi- 
gan became a state the town was known as Pitt. 
By 1840 the advocates of a longer name tri- 
umphed and the affix of "field" had been added, 
an "s" being put in for euphony, making it "Pitts- 
field." 

SALEM township was named after Salem, 
New York, from near which manv of its promi- 
nent pioneers came. 

SALINE township received its name from the 
same source as the village and river of that name, 
from the salt-licks which were there when the 
first settlers came. 

SCIO was probabl}- named after Scio town- 
ship in .\llegany county. New York. 

SH.\RON was named after Sharon, Connecti- 
cut. There was a big strife over the name. Peti- 
tions for three different names were sent to the 
state legislature — Sharon, Amenia and Rnnnilus. 



The two latter names were urged by settlers from 
towns of those names in New York. Dr. Ama- 
riah Conklin hustled through the township with 
the Sharon petition, the loveliest name among ten 
thousand. As Andrew Robison used to put it : 
"We are satisfied with a good name and would 
not change it for any other this side of Paradise." 

.SUPERIOR was named by Henry Kimmel, 
who believed that he had located in a superior 
part of the county where the land was better than 
in the other sections. 

SYL\',\N township was named by Mrs. Ed- 
win E. Conklin, who was the daughter of Calvin 
Hicox, on account of the sylvan appearance of 
the country. 

WEBSTER was named in 1833 after Daniel 
Webster. Munnis Kenny suggested the name 
and Luther Boyden endorsed the selection. 

Y'ORK was named by William Moore, one of 
its inhabitants and a member of the territorial 
legislature, because most of the inhabitants came 
from the state of New York. 

YPSILANTI was nanied from Ypsilanti vil- 
lage, now cit}-, which was within its borders. 



CHAPTER JV. 



TWO BLOODLESS W.\RS — THE BL,\CK H.\WK W.\R 
SCARE THE TOLEDO W.\R. 

While i\Iichigan was still a territory two blood- 
less wars, at least as far as Washtenaw was con- 
cerned, thoroughly aroused the pioneer settlers. 
The first was known as Black Hawk's war. which 
broke out in 1832 on the Mississippi river, but 
which spread terror through Washtenaw. 

It was the belief of all the settlers that if Black 
Hawk succeeded in defeating the troops which 
had been sent against him that his band of In- 
dians would endeavor to make their wav into 
Canada. If this was so their trail would lead 
them through ^^'ashtenaw. .\s a matter of fact. 
P.lack Hawk was forced into \\'isconsin. where 
he was captured : but even after his capture, the 
Washtenaw pioneers were in terror of his arms. 
There were no telegraphs in those days, and com- 
nnmication \vas slow, and the friendh' Indians 



588 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



wlio traversed Washtenaw were full of stories of 
what Black Hawk's warriors were about to do. 
The Ottawas and Pottawatamies asserted that 
when the leaves of the trees are as large as the 
squirrels, the Sacs would invade the settlement 
and kill the white settlers. All through Wash- 
tenaw the pioneers organized for defense, many 
even starting with their families for the east in 
order to put them out of reach of the Indians. 
A writer from Dexter, where an independent rifle 
company v\'as organized, commanded by Colonel 
J. D. Davis, with headquarters at Plymouth, has 
left the following account of the excitement : 

"One bright May morning, in 1832, at about 
eight o'clock, a man was seen riding on horseback 
in great haste over the hill, from toward Ann 
Arbor. As he rode into the village he met the 
commander of this company on the street, and in 
an excited manner announced that the Indians 
under Pilack Hawk had made war upcm the whites 
and were marching toward Detroit, murdering 
every man, woman and child they could find ; that 
they were at White Pigeon Prairie, eighty thou- 
sand strong at that moment, and would be upon 
us, at the same time delivering to the captain of 
the company a military order signed by Colonel 
Davis, dated at Plymouth at six p. m. of the pre- 
vious day, which was couched substantially in 
the following language: 

HEADQUARTERS, 1ST REGT., MICH. RIFLE CORPS, 

Plymouth, May 9, 1832, 6 p. m. 

CAPTAIN DEXTER RIFLES, 

Sir : — You are hereby commanded to be and 
appear with your full company armed and 
equipped as the law dictates, for actual service, 
at Ten Eyck's tavern, ten miles west of Detroit, 
on the Chicago turnpike, on tomorrow. May lOth 
at ten o'clock a. m., then and there to meet the 
regiment and other military forces, to march at 
once against the Black Hawk Indians. 

By order of Major-General John R. Williams, 
commanding Michigan Forces. 

J. D. D.WIS. 

Colonel 1st. Regt. Mich. Rifles. 

"The bearer of this order was George Warner. 
It was now May loth, at half past eight o'clock 
a. m. In order to obey this order literally the 



compaii)- must be assembled (with some of them 
nine miles away) and marched on foot, for there 
was no conveyance, forty miles in just an hour 
and a half. That, of course, was impossible, and 
strange as it may seem at this distance of time, 
that company was called together, and at just 
two o'clock that afternoon every member was in 
ranks with rifle and blanket, and in less than 
thirty minutes they took up their line of march 
to the stirring music of fife and drum. They 
actually marched to Ypsilanti that same evening, 
where they rested until the morning light, when 
they again took up their line of march toward 
Detroit, and about eleven o'clock a. m., they met 
the forces under General John R. Williams, about 
four miles west of Ten Eyck's, on the march 
westward, ho ! to meet the enemy. Plere the 
company joined the advancing army, and re- 
turned over the same road they had traversed in 
the early part of the day. 

"By the time the troops had reached Saline the 
reports of the whereabouts of the enemy began 
to be quite conflicting, so much so that the troops 
halted there for two days, when authentic infor- 
mation was received that Black Hawk was cap- 
tured in Wisconsin, his forces dispersed and 
the Indian war ended. The Michigan troops 
were therefore disbanded and permitted to re- 
turn to their homes. 

"The Dexter Rifles returned after an absence 
of six days, but during its absence the inhabitants 
of the village and surrounding country had be- 
come very much excited and alarmed. They had 
held counsel together and resolved to build a 
block house of the saw logs that lay upon the mill 
yard upon the west side of the creek, as a place 
of safety for the women and children, and other 
works of defense were to be erected. In fact, 
so great was the consternation, it was said (with 
how much truth I cannot vouch), that one man, 
owning a farm but a short distance from the vil- 
lage, with a small lake upon it, actually sunk his 
farming utensils in the lake, in order that the In- 
dians should not destroy them." 

THE TOLEDO WAR. 

The Toledo war occurred in 1835, and prob- 
ably no question ever excited more intense in- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



589 



terest in Washtenaw county than did this war, 
in which not a Hfe was lost. The question in dis- 
])Ute was whether a strip of territory six miles 
wide, which includes the present city of Toledo, 
helonged to the state of Ohio or the territory of 
Michigan. The question became prominent when 
Michigan attempted to form a state government. 
A census which had been ordered in 1834 showed 
that the territory had considerable more inhab- 
itants than were necessary to admit it into the 
Union, as had been guaranteed under the ordi- 
nance of 1787, and congress was memorialized to 
admit the territory as a state. A constitution was 
adopted at a convention held in Detroit, from 
May II to June 25, 1835, at which convention 
Washtenaw was represented by Gilbert Shattuck, 
Abel Goddard, William Moore, Robert Purdy, 
John Brewer, Alpheus Collins, Michael Sttibbs, 
Richard Brower, Rufus Grossman, Nathaniel 
Noble, Russell Briggs, Orrin Howe, Emanuel 
Case, Edward Mundy and Orrin White. 

The people of Michigan believed that by the 
article of compact contained in the ordinance of 
1787 "between the original states and the people 
and the states in the said territory," which should 
"forever remain unalterable unless by common 
consent" that the southern boundary of Michigan 
should be an east and west line drawn through 
the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, run- 
ning east from its intersection with a due north 
line from the mouth of the Miami river to Lake 
Erie. At the time that the ordinance of 1787 
was adopted the true location of the southern ex- 
tremity of Lake Michigan was not known, and 
it was supposed to be further north than it ac- 
tually was ; and in admitting Ohio to the Union, 
Ohio's northern boundary was made on the sup- 
position that the southern extreme of Lake Mich- 
igan was further north than the facts afterward 
developed it to be. This was the basis for the 
controversy carried on between Ohio and Mich- 
igan, known as the Toledo war. Early in 1835, 
Governor Lucas of Ohio procured legislation for 
taking possession of the disputed territory, which 
included Toledo, and for the election of officers 
in Toledo and the organization of the present 
county of Lucas, in which Toledo is situated. 
Commissioners were appointed by Ohio who ran 
35 



the northern boundary line, and the election was 
called for April ist. Michigan believed that Ohio 
was about to seize her territory, and the territorial 
legislature adopted legislation making it a penal 
offense for anyone to accept or exercise any pub- 
lic ofifice within the territory except under a com- 
misssion from the United States government, or 
from Michigan. Before long troops were called 
out by both Michigan and (3hio. Governor Ma- 
son ordered General Joseph W. Brown of the 
Michigan militia to resist any attempt on the part 
of Ohio to carry out the threatened measures, 
and appealed to Andrew Jackson, the then pres- 
dent of the United States, who referred the mat- 
ter to the attorney-general, whose opinion fa- 
vored the claims of Michigan. For the president 
to have endorsed this decision of this attorney- 
general would have meant his loss of the votes 
of the state of Ohio, and possibly the states of 
Indiana and Illinois, which two states were in- 
terested in the decision favoring Ohio, as it 
would form a precedent for their gaining terri- 
tory on their northern boundary. The president 
sent two peace commissioners to the scene of the 
trouble, but their efforts at compromise were tin- 
availing. Toledo, which was the real subject of 
the controversy, was indivisible, and hence there 
could be no compromise in respect to it. 

In the meantime, Michigan had organized a 
state government under the claim that it had the 
right to do so under the ordinance of 1787 with- 
out action of congress ; and Stephen T. Mason, 
acting governor of the territory, was elected the 
first governor of the state, and Edward Mundy, 
of Ann Arbor, lieutenant-governor. Senators 
and representatives were also elected, who de- 
manded admission into congress. Governor Ma- 
son ordered out the Michigan troops and took 
possession of Toledo. No opposing forces were 
encountered and the Michigan troops were soon 
led back over the line and disbanded. But when 
these troops started out it was really believed 
that actual war was on. Washtenaw was called 
upon to furnish two hundred and fifty troops, 
and the men were ready. They met at Ann Arbor, 
where they were kept in very uncomfortable 
quarters for a few days in the latter part of 
March, and then, upon receiving intimation that 



590 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the national government did not favor the action 
of Ohio, they received permission to return to 
their homes. They were again called out, how- 
ever, and Morrell Goodrich, in a paper read be- 
fore the Washtenaw Pioneer Society, has left a 
description of their part in the war, as follows : 
"The Toledo war occurred in 1835. By general 
order, Xo. ] , of that year, Stevens T. Mason, act- 
ing governor of the Territory of Michigan, and 
Adjutant-General Larned, the cavalry company 
of this place, which was in full bloom and under 
command of Captain Peter Slingerland, commis- 
sioned by Governor Mason, myself holding the 
commission of first lieutenant of said company, 
by the same authority, was ordered to rendezvous 
at the hotel kept by my father in Ann Arbor, for 
general inspection, and for the purpose of arm- 
ing and equipping ourselves for the defense of our 
frontier line between our territory and the state 
of Ohio, a dispute having arisen as to the origi- 
nal survey, whether the line that is now estab- 
lished was correct or not. The dis])Uted terri- 
torv embraced a strip of land some seven miles 
in width, extending west to the Indiana line. We 
met as above stated, were inspected and passed 
muster ; but when the time came to advance upon 
the enemy, a difficulty arose as to the horse that 
I had employed in doing duty in our company. 
It belonged to my father, and he refused to let 
me have it, for he wisely said he could not afford 
to have so valuable an animal slaughtered or cap- 
tured by the foes of our glorious territory, unless 
the authorities would become responsible for the 
full value of the animal. Our colonel informed 
the proper authorities of our situation, and very 
soon an order came to have the horse got in line. 
Accordingly it was equipped according to law, 
and the line was formed early in the morning. 
Two appraisers were appointed, viz. : my father 
and Mosely Maynard. The business of appraisal 
was through with in a hurry. The horse was 
numbered eighty-five. The company took dinner 
at father's house. We were immediately ordered 
to Ypsilanti to join a mounted company of that 
place. The number of that company was eighty- 
five. When we arrived at Ypsilanti we were 
ordered to consolidate the two companies. The 
question then arose (a very important one) what 



to do with the extra set of officers. Colonel Owen 
Welcli, who was then as \-oung and vig- 
orous as we were, as many of us at the 
time had reason to know, proposed the 
following plan : That the officers of each 
company should throw dice and the high- 
est number thrown at three trials should decide 
the elections, and the men so elected lead their 
countrymen on against the brave Buckeves in the 
terrible contest now looming up in the distance 
between the two contending parties. The first 
in order were Captain Peter Slingerland, of Ann 
Arbor, and Captain Forsyth of Ypsilanti. Cap- 
tain .Slingerland was elected by six dots. Then 
came my turn with the first lieutenant of the Ypsi- 
lanti compan}-. I lieat him by four dots. Ypsi- 
lanti got the second lieutenant, and Ypsilanti the 
ensign. That question settled, our colonel was 
transferred to the militia. Then came general or- 
der, No. 4, which was to promote our captain to 
major, to take charge of our detachment until we 
could join the rest of our brigade at headquarters 
at Monroe or Toledo. This made a vacancy in 
our ranks, and as a result I was promoted to the 
captaincy, and the balance of the officers were 
promoted for the same cause, and in the same 
way, by our commanding officers. There was onh' 
one more office to be filled, and that was done by 
the two companies. ]\Iy impression is that an 
Ypsilanti man was appointed, but it might have 
been James Welch, of Ann .\rbor : I am not sure. 
"Our headquarters were on the east side of the 
river, in a hotel kept by Dr. Andrews. How 
proud and haughty (not to say insolent) we were 
that we came out ahead of the Ypsilanti boys. 
They appeared rather <l(>wn-liearted. but whether 
it was caused by their failure to secure the promi- 
nent officers, or the terrible prospect before them, 
I can not say ; but we cheered them up and gave 
them the best the house afforded in provisions, 
and a superabundance of good whiskey (not the 
forty-rod of the present day.) It had the eft'ect 
to make them as well as us, valorous and remark- 
ably courageous. We were gritty as hyenas, and 
boasted greatly of our ability to whip our cursed 
enemies, the Buckeyes, who were unpardonable 
trespassers on our soil — the very soil that our 
great congressmen had bequeathed to us and our 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



591 



posterity. We would show them that we could 
whip them live to one. We would not leave a 
man of them to tell the awful tale to their friends, 
of their destruction ; their braves should fall be- 
neath our conquering heroes, and terrible should 
be the slaughter. Words like these fell fi'om the 
lips of our noble chieftains, and were echoed back 
by the noble patriots, who composed the rank 
and file of our beautiful territory. Our country 
being rich in resources, the boys went their 
length in rations for that night at least. The 
next morning the major issued his first order, 
order Xo. 6. It was to this efifect : Drilling the 
brigade from six to eight o'clock, and then from 
ten to t\\ eh'e, then from two to four. This serv- 
ice continued only one or two days, as we were 
soon ordered to the front, or to the headquarters, 
then at Toledo. Our first dav's march carried us 
to Knagg"s tavern, ten miles west of Monroe, on 
the River Raisin. Our quartermaster, of course, 
went on in advance of our columns to prepare 
quarters for the night, for our own men, but no 
others. The officers had no reason to find fault 
with him, for he made ample provision for them. 
He obtained permission from Major Knaggs that 
the officers should occupy the house ; the horses 
were to occupy the barn. He got good quarters 
for the men in a small field near the house and 
barn. Here they pitched their tents for the 
night, after receiving strict orders from 
myself not to touch a thing belonging to 
the major, not even the smallest thing should they 
appropriate that belonged to Major Knaggs. The 
major was present when the order was given and 
heard it. I was very explicit, and told them dis- 
tinctly that should they disobey the order a most 
terrible penalty would be certain to follow. I 
said, should any be caught in the act of stealing 
from the major, or of doing any harm to him or 
his property, for any such misdemeanor, I should 
certainly report them to headquarters and have 
them court-martialed. The men gave three hearty 
cheers for the captain, all pledging themselves to 
obey my order to the letter. So I left them in 
charge of the ensign and lower officers until 
morning. The officers were provided with a 
bountiful supper by Major Knaggs at his own 
expense. Moses Rogers was second sergeant and 



my orderly. He took care of my horse as well as 
his own. We all, officers and privates, fared as 
well as could be expected imder the circum- 
stances. 

"Next morning we were all on hand at rev- 
eille, which took place at five o'clock. The first 
man I met after the roll was called was Rogers. 
I asked how matters were. He said that the quar- 
termaster had furnished treble rations, the horses 
were getting fat. and that the cooks were prepar- 
ing breakfast for all the officers and men, and 
that I had better eat with them, for they had been 
to a little extra trouble to get rations for the offi- 
cerK. I left him and passed on. The next man I 
met was Knaggs. He was in a terrible rage, and 
as mad as a hatter. I said, "Knaggs, what is up ?" 
He said the bo)-s of my company had stolen five 
or six swarms of bees that belonged to him, all 
his ducks and chickens, all his decanters, tum- 
blers, with three or four casks of liquor out of his 
bar, and what else, God only knew. He said he 
would soon find them out and have them brought 
to justice. I said to him it could not have been 
my men, for they would not disobey my orders, 
especially after giving the charge I did last night, 
and which he heard. "It cannot be possible," said 
I, "but I will have the roll called after breakfast, 
and put them in line, and have them examined by 
Major Slingerland and yourself. I will also be 
present, and if we find any who shows signs of 
guilt, I will have him dealt with severely by a 
court-marital." This seemed to satisfy the old 
man for the time being. Very soon we were called 
to breakfast, and found that the quartermaster 
had made ample preparations, as the following 
bill of fare will indicate : Roast beef, roast pork, 
ducks, chickens, turkeys, geese, butter, honey, 
wheat bread and coffee of the first quality, were 
among the eatables. I asked the boys how they 
got all these extra rations. The only answer 
given to the major and myself was, that the com- 
missary had furnished them. That officer being 
present, we questioned him. He said he did fur- 
nish a part of the whole of them, and pleaded in 
justification that the territory was rich and 
could afford her fighting men good rations. I 
related to him the charges made b\- Knaggs to 
myself. He said he would clear the company 



592 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



from all such charges, "for," he said, " the mili- 
tia have encamped near another tavern, about one 
mile above us, and they were caught stealing 
honey and chickens, and had even killed a fine ox 
that was owned by the tavernkeeper." I said 
that did not excuse the men under my command. 
If any of them were found guilty, the major and 
myself would certainly have them severely pun- 
ished. At that moment Major Knaggs came in, 
and to my great surprise accused my men of 
stealing his honey, poultr}', etc. He said the 
proof was plain enough, for they might be seen 
on the table. The commissary stated that he 
bought the beef, pork, and other eatables yester- 
day, and he could prove it by Hatch, the teamster 
for our company. Hatch said the commissary 
had stated the facts, and further stated he had 
been up to the other camp, and had King and a 
number of others up for stealing honey and other 
things, including ducks and beef. This rather 
cooled Knaggs down somewhat, but he said he 
would not be satisfied, until I had the company 
in line and Had them all e.xamined. I was entirely 
willing, and even anxious, that his desire should 
be complied with. I, of course, wanted to clear 
the boys, if not guilty, and was willing to do 
anything for them I could as their chief officer. 
So I ordered James Welch, my orderly, to form 
the company into two ranks, open file of three 
feet space, giving the major a good chance to ex- 
amine each man. He commenced on the right of 
the company, and all went well until he came to 
one of the corporals, by the name of Wicofl^. I 
noticed that his left arm and. chest were badly 
swollen, the arm was a size or two larger than the 
other. Knaggs at that moment came up, and said 
we had at last got the right chap. I asked Wicofif 
what the matter was with his arm, and what 
means that swollen face, and what is the cause of 
this excessive roundity of person just at this time. 
He said, T was detained yesterday to guard the 
baggage wagon, with four others detailed for the 
same purpose under me. I became tired of riding 
on horseback, and tied my horse to the teamster's 
wagon, and got on the load with him : the wheels 
suddenly falling into a deep rut, I was thrown 
from the wagon, and struck on my face and left 
arm, causing extreme pain, and enormous swell- 



ing of my chest. In fact, it came near killing 
me.' I said to him : T, for one, give great credit 
to your statement; but I fear the major will re- 
quire you to prove it.' 'I do,' said Knaggs. I 
then called an orderly — Welch — to inform me 
whether Wicofif was detailed as he had stated. He 
said he was. Hatch, the teamster, being ques- 
tioned, corroborated Wicoff's story. The four 
men who were detailed with him stated the same 
thing. This satisfied Knaggs. So the coast was 
now clear, and we finished the rear rank, finding 
no further evidences of disorderly conduct, and 
the matter ended satisfactorily to Knaggs. 

"About that time, Captain Crane's detachment 
came past, bringing reports that the militia were 
stealing everything they could-lay their hands on. 
So my company got clear for this time, and were 
ordered by Major Slingerland to mount and pro- 
ceed forthwith to Monroe, which order was 
promptly obeyed. We arrived there about noon 
and took dinner in the courthouse square. The 
dinner consisted of the remains of the rations 
furnished by the commissary the day before, as- 
I have stated, except the contents of Major 
Knagg's bar. The men, the night before, by or- 
der of the commissary — a respectable man from 
Detroit, appointed by Governor Mason — ordered 
a guard of eight men to draw from Knagg's bar 
its contents, and start business down by the side 
of the River Raisin. They obeyed orders, and 
deposited the liquor in a still place in the river, 
and there it lay safely until the line of march was 
taken up the next morning, and then it was care- 
fully taken up out of the river, placed in one of 
the baggage wagons, and conveyed to Monroe, 
where the company dealt it out to the men for 
their grog rations at their dinner. Knaggs fol- 
lowed on the trail : but he was not any wiser, for 
he never found out about the liquor. Major Slin- 
gerland took the commissary in hand about the 
matter, but could get no satisfaction further than 
that he had given Knaggs an order on the terri- 
tory for an amount that would cover the value of 
his liquor. So ended that chapter. 

"From Monroe we were ordered to proceed 
immediately to the disputed territory on the line 
that divided us from Ohio. We arrived there on 
the evening of the dav we left Monroe. On ar- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



593 



riving there, our com])any formed a line in front 
of a tavern. The quartermaster went into the 
house to secure quarters for the officers and 
stabling- for the horses. The landlord drove them 
out, not with the point of a bayonet, but with an 
axe : and ordered us from the premises, calling us 
rebels and traitors to the country. He said he 
would have the regular army called out to de- 
fend him and his property. But it was of no use 
to resist the invincible Iiost from the Wolverine 
state. 

"Orders were given, however, as usual, to re- 
spect the man's property, and our army was or- 
dered to pitch their tents in the most convenient 
place that could be found. A strong guard was 
stationed to keep off the enemy and protect our- 
selves. The officers found quarters in the house. 
and the commissary furnished abundant rations 
for the officers, men and horses, from the land- 
lord's cattle yards, roosts and granaries, all, of 
course, in accordance with army regulations. The 
landlord and his family were put luider guard, 
lest they should pass through our lines into the 
territory of our enemies, and thus frustrate the 
grand objects and designs of our government, for 
we were aware of the fact that should the Buck- 
eyes be notified of our extreme weakness (onlv 
one hundred and fifty strong) they might make 
a Bull Run advance on us and use us up. Cap- 
tain A. D. Crane, with his Dexter braves, and 
another company, were far in the rear and unable 
to give us immediate aid, and we had to do the 
best we could under the circumstances. 

"We kept our enemies under lieavv guard that 
night. A picket guard was ordered out. .\ 
scouting party was also sent out. In the morning 
the scouts returned with the cheering news that 
it was all quiet at the front. They also reported 
that they were very fortunate in capturing manv 
of our enemies. But I was so unfortunate as 
not to see any of the captured men. \\'hat a 
night that was for us poor officers and soldiers. 
Think of the blood that was shed and the awful 
carnage that followed such a terrible war. The 
fatigue resulting from our long marches was, of 
course, almost intolerable. The terrible conflicts 
with our foes, how they loom up in history ! .\fter 
this fearful night, we breakfasted on the remains 



of beef, chickens, and honey, provided bv our 
commissar}- the day before. 

"We were soon ordered to mount and march 
in close columns, lest some our our men might 
straggle off and be gobbled up by the enemy. We 
were now in the enemy's country and orders came 
from Major Slingerland to make Toledo our 
headquarters, that being the place where our gov- 
ernor had made his headquarters. In due time, 
we arrived there and made our report to the ad- 
jutant-general. We soon went into camp upon 
the farm of Major Stickney, of the Ohio militia. 
He was grit to the backbone. He threatened 
summary vengeance upon our men if they were 
so presumptions as to put a finger upon anything 
belonging to him. But his threat availed nothing 
with our invincibles. His barns were filled with 
hay and grain of all kinds. C)ur wornout horses 
gratefully acknowledged the kindness of our 
quartermaster in the ample provisions made for 
their wants, and with appetites almost unpar- 
alleled in the amials of war, resulting from long 
marches and short feed, they stowed away large 
quantities of the major's fodder, not thinking, I 
suppose, of the awful threats of the owner. 

"While the men were engaged in removing 
the major's fodder from his barns to our camp, 
he with his rebel horde, consisting of about 
twenty men and boys, fell upon our men with pis- 
tols, pitchforks, clubs and other deadly weapons, 
but our l.irave boys, feeling the importance of the 
work before them, were invincible, and had but 
little trouble in keeping the rebels at bay. When 
one portion of our formidable army became fa- 
tigued, another force would be employed. This 
kind of skirmishing was kept up for a whole 
week, each day, until the major's forage was used 
up. 

"During all this time our army was duly 
drilled, with scouts in the country to report 
the probable strength of the enemy. The reports 
were duly forwarded to headquarters by orderlies 
who were on duty day anfl night, and it is not yet 
known how many horses were killed in the great 
haste to give information to the commander-in- 
chief. This was all important, as it was feared 
that unless constant dispatches were conveyed to 
our army, the rebels would surprise us and an- 



594 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



nihilate our entire force. Thus we defended our 
beautiful country. But soon an adjustment of 
the matter was elTected, and our noble army re- 
turned to their homes and their disconsolate fam- 
ilies, without the loss of a single man or an ounce 
of htnnan blood. But notwithstanding our brav- 
ery and the immense suffering from long and fre- 
quent marches, our government has entirely for- 
gotten us in the bestowment of pensions, either 
in money or lands." 

In this connection, while not strictly a part of 
the history of Washtenaw county, it may be in- 
teresting to note the final outcome of this war. 
The president of the United States was displeased 
with the action of Acting-Governor Mason, and 
in September, 1835, appointed to succeed him, 
John S. Horner, of Virginia, a young man who 
was ignorant of the people and the territory, and 
whose appointment was not recognized by the 
people of Michigan. While he assumed to exercise 
the rights of government, his actions were re- 
garded as of no importance ; and Michigan for 
a time had a dual government, that under Gov- 
ernor Horner, to which hardly anyone paid at- 
tention, although it was really the lawful gov- 
ernment, and that under (lovernor Mason, who 
assumed to be governor of a state, whose admis- 
sion to the Union had not yet been sanctioned by 
congress or the president. Horner attempted to 
popularize himself by making a trip through the 
state. He got no further west than Ypsilanti, 
however. Here he put up at a tavern kept by Dr. 
Andrews on the west side of the river, expecting 
to meet the principal men of the section : but when 
he stepped out on the veranda of the hotel to 
speak to the people, whom he supposed had as- 
sembled to do him honor, he found an audience 
which had robbed every cow in that part of the 
country of cowbells, and as there were not 
enough cows to furnish bells for the entire num- 
ber, tin pans and every other device for mak- 
infg noise, were carried by those not fortunate 
enough to have cowbells. Those present say they 
never heard such a noise l^efore, and hope that 
they never will again. The landlord pulled the 
governor inside to protect him from personal vio- 
lence, but missiles were thrown through the win- 
dows and the "overnor remained all ni"ht in ter- 



ror. Early the next morning he started back to 
Detroit, and this ended his trip around the state, 
which he soon left, recognizing that he was gover- 
nor in name only. 

The anomalous condition in Michigan, whose 
people claimed that it was a state, while the 
United States authorities regarded it only as a 
territory, could not long continue. Congress 
passed a resolution admitting Michigan as a state 
on condition that it resign the disputed territory 
to the state of Ohio, and in its place accept what 
has since been known as the upper peninsula. In 
pursuance of this act a state convention was held 
which has since been called the first convention 
of assent. This convention met at Ann Arbor 
on September 26, 1836, and the following dele- 
gates from Washtenaw county were members of 
the body: Seth Markham, Michael P. Stubbs, 
Marcus Lane, Ebenezer H. Conklin, George P. 
JefTries, Elnathan Noble and George W. Glover. 
This convention refused by emphatic vote to ac- 
cept the condition imposed by congress for the 
admission of Michigan as a state. The convention 
then adjourned. But a presidental election was 
coming on and people of Michigan naturally de- 
sired a voice in that election. Public lands were 
about to be distributed, and it would be an un- 
fortimate tiling, so thev believed, if Michigan was 
not in the L'nion to partake of their distribution. 
The senators and representatives who had been 
elected to congress were naturally anxious to oc- 
cupy their seats, and those having political aspira- 
tions were likewise eager for a chance at the 
federal patronage. The "Jackson Party" looked 
with more favor, of course, upon the action of a 
democratic president, than did the whigs, and a 
movement was soon on foot to hold another con- 
vention. The delegates to this convention were 
really never regularly elected. The convention 
originated in the caucuses of the democratic 
party, and represented that jiarty almost exclu- 
sively. This convention, since called the second 
convention of assent, met at .Knn .\rbor no De- 
cember 14 and 15. 1836, and adopted a resolu- 
tion giving the assent of ^Michigan to the jiro- 
vision of the act of congress. This assent was 
recognized l)y the federal government as a valid 
assent, and Michiiran was duh' declared ad- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



595 



niitted into the Union bv a [iroclamation of the 
president, dated January 26, 1837. At this sec- 
ond convention of assent, Washtenaw was repre- 
sented by Nelson H. Wing, Salmon Champion, 
Jr., Nathaniel Noble, Lyman Downs, James 
Houston, Esek Pray, George W. Jewett, Solomon 
Sutherland, Samuel Denton, Samuel B. Bradley, 
Elisha Congdon, Stoddard W. Twitchell and 
Jesse Warner. 

It will be seen that the final act on the part of 
Michigan necessary to be taken for admission to 
the Union was taken in the village of Ann Arbor. 



CHAPTER V. 



TR.\NSI'(>RTATION. BUILDING OF TERRITORIAL ROADS 
— RAILROADS — INTERURP.AN LINES. 

The first transportation in ^\'ashtena\v county 
was by means of Huron river, and Huron river 
is put down on the maps of the early days as a 
navigable river. To-day it is not regarded as 
such, but in the old days flat-bottomed boats used 
to come up the river as far as Ypsilanta. although 
the larger ones did not come farther than Raw- 
sonville. As has been seen in a previous chapter, 
most of the early settlers brought their supplies 
from Detroit by means of boats poled up the 
Huron river to the point called Snow's Landing, 
now Rawsonville. In 1829, a letter from a trav- 
eler published in the first paper ever published in 
Washtenaw describes the Huron river as "a 
stream navigable for boats of from five to ten 
tons to a place fourteen miles below here (Ann 
Arbor) called Snow's Landing, and with little 
expense it may be rendered navigable fifteen miles 
above." In August. 1833. the citizens of Ypsi- 
lanti decided to build a boat for the navigation of 
the Huron. The boat was built at a cost of one 
thousand three hundred and thirty-four dollars 
and fifty-four cents, and was called the "Enter- 
prise." It made several trips between Detroit 
and Ypsilanti, and was able to carry about one 
hundred and fifty barrels at a time. It was never 
a profitable venture. L. Pratt, an officer of the 
vessel, on one occasion, wrote from Detroit that 
he had goods on board for Samuel Champion , fr. 



and Mark Norris, two or three tons for Truaxes 
at eighteen cents per hundred, a ton for Smooth 
Rock at twenty-five cents per hundred, that he 
was out of potatoes and had borrowed one dollar 
from Troop & Woolsey, that he had hired two 
hands, one at fourteen dollars per month, and the 
other at six shillings per day ; and that he hoped 
to get to Flat Rock about May 23. 1834. A brick- 
maker finally chartered the boat for the brick 
carrying trade, and in December, 1834, the En- 
terprise was wrecked. As early as 1823 boats of 
twenty tons had come up the river as far as Raw- 
sonville, and for some time after that Andrew 
Muir navigated the Huron river from Rawson- 
ville to its mouth in a small boat, making frequent 
trips. 

It was not until 1825 that a public highway 
was surveyed through Washtenaw county. In 
that year Orange Risdon surveyed a road from 
Detroit to Chicago, which ran through A^psilanti 
and Saline and out of the county on section 33 of 
Bridgewater. A second road known as the terri- 
torial road was started in 1829, and its building 
has been described by General Edward Clark in 
the following well written reminiscences : 

"In the summer of 1829, the opening of a ter- 
ritorial road through the counties of Washtenaw, 
Jackson and westward to the mouth of the St. 
Joseph river, was the subject of discussion by the 
people in the counties named. It was known to 
the parties that the federal government was en- 
gaged in making the Chicago road a military road 
from Detroit to Chicago, through the southern 
tier of counties in the territory. At that time the 
road leading west through the next tier of coun- 
ties north, had its western end at Clement's farm, 
on section 24. in the township of Liina. in Wash- 
tenaw cr)imtv. some seven or eight miles west of 
.\nn .\rb<jr. ISelieving that the land and other 
inducements were as good in the second tier of 
counties as in the first, an effort was made to have 
opened a competing road and draw a part of the 
emigrants to Michigan on a new route : at any 
rate to give them a choice. Mr. Botsford volun- 
teered to go through from .Ann Arbor to the Chi- 
cago road and ])ost notices and call the attention 
of the people on the route to the importance of 
the subject, if notices were written calling a 
meeting at Ann Arbor. The offer was accepted. 



596 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the notices were written, and a meeting was held. 
It was resolved to petition the legislative council 
at its next session, to appoint commissioners and 
a surveyor to lay out a road. A petition was cir- 
culated and signed, it is believed, by every man 
on the contemplated route. The act was passed, 
and Orrin White, of Ann Arbor, Seeley Neal, of 
Superior, and Jonathan F. Stratton were ap- 
pointed commissioners. Mr. Stratton was sur- 
veyor as well as commissioner. 

"Early in January, 1830, the commissioners 
started from Sheldon's, on the Chicago road, and 
run the line of the new road west. When tliey 
reached Ann .\rbor, a party of eight volunteered 
to go on with them to Grand river. Henry Runi- 
sey, Samuel Van Fossen, Zenas Nash, Jr., William 
Hunt. Edward Clark, Mr. McCarty, Alexander 
Laverty and J. Bennett were the eight. They had 
provided themselves with an active yoke of oxen 
and a lumljer wagon, a tent, blankets, provisions, 
rifles and axes. The object of the volunteers was 
to mark the road as fast as it was surveyed. The 
two parties kept together and spent the first night 
on the floor of Samuel Clement's log house in 
Lima. Here we took on all the hay we could, for 
this was the last settlement. Early the next morn- 
ing the parties forded ]\Iill creek and pushed for- 
ward. The volunteers soon found use for their 
axes and handspikes in felling trees and rolling 
them out of the road. The snow was about four 
inches deep, and the weather was very cold ; but 
good progress was made each day, as the country 
was sparsely timbered. Each morning after 
breakfast, the teams went forward, and the team- 
sters would find a camping ground and start a 
small fire and wait till the parties came up, when 
the axemen would fell trees and cut them into 
logs ten or twelve feet long, place skids on the 
ground and roll three logs on them, then two, 
then one on top. Care was always taken to build 
the log heaps so that the wind blew lengthways 
of the logs. The snow was brushed off the 
ground and the tents pitched, the blankets spread, 
and the supper prepared and eaten with a relish. 
The evenings were spent in smoking, telling sto- 
ries, and playing pranks upon each other. In this 
way the time was spent until the parties crossed 
the ( Irand river at the site of the cit\' of Jackson. 



This was as far as the volunteers had proposed to 
go. The_\' found a body of a log house with a 
roof on it at this place. A Mr. Blackman, one 
of the commissioners' party, had entered some 
land here and built this house on it and left it in 
this incomplete condition. There was no 'chink- 
ing,' doorway, nor place for a window. A hole 
was soon made, and both parties took possession. 
A rousing fire was soon burning and the tents 
and spare blankets were hung up to break off the 
wind. The parties lay there two nights. The road 
was brought up to the east bank of the river. It 
was prosposed to give a name to the place. For 
this ]nu-pose, on the second night, a 'convention' 
was organized and Judge Runisey, one of the vol- 
unteers, was unanimously elected president. Here 
let me say the judge had served \\'ashtenaw 
county in the legislative council, and was ac- 
quainted with parliamentary rules, and was of a 
genial and mirthful disposition. Soon after the 
president had taken the 'chair,' — a seat on a log, ■ 
— a committee of three was appointed to propose 
a name for the place. As soon as the committee 
retired, that is, gone to the other side of the log 
heap, the president rose with all the dignity he 
could assume, and spoke in substance as follows : 
'( jentlemen of the convention : You have ap- 
pointed a committee to select a name for this 
place, and while they are absent permit me to 
make a few remarks. I am personally acquainted 
with you all. I know that at home you are .gen- 
tlemanly in you deportment. You have each of 
you a nice sense of honor ; but I have sometimes 
observed that when men of good standing at 
home are among strangers, their behavior is 
strangely at variance with their home conduct. 
Gentlemen, you represent Ann Arbor, you repre- 
sent Washtenaw county, and let me beg of you, 
gentlemen, that on this interesting occasion you 
will not do anvthing that shall bring discredit to 
our village or county. When your committee 
has proposed the name of this place, and you 
have adopted it, some one may propose that it be 
received with cheers. If the cheers are ordered, 
allow me to request that they may unt he gkrn 
so loud as to disturb the neighbors.' As the near- 
e.st neighbor was more than thirty miles off, the 
remark brought down the house. The committee 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



597 



rcUirned ami reported the name of Jacksonburg, 
which was accepted and adopted, and nine as wild 
cheers were sent up as fifteen men coidd give. 

"One of the partv had a violin, and a dance was 
next in order. Judge Rumsey and Mr. Commis- 
sioner Neal, being the oldest men, opened the 
ball. It soon became evident that there was a 
strife between the dancers and the fiddler which 
should get ahead. .\s the dancers wore stoga 
boots, the fiddler gradually went ahead, but the 
race was well contested, much to the amusement 
■of the spectators. After taking breath and some 
refreshments — for this occasion had been antici- 
pated and provided for — dancing was resumed 
and kept up until the small hours of the morn- 
ing. That morning the volunteers were to part 
with the commissioners and their party and re- 
turn home. After a few hours' rest, all were 
astir, when, upon inspection, it was found that 
the volunteers had only about three pints of flour 
left. They dare not call upon the commissioners 
for any of their prcivisions, for thev had none to 
spare. Some water was procured, and the flour 
was stirred in a fryingpan and partly baked. The 
cake was divided into eight parts, and each man 
took his piece and ate it hot. This is all the food 
the party had to travel thirty odd miles on, and 
break a track in the snow. As soon as it was 
light enough to see, 'goodbye" was said, and one 
party started east and the other west. Of the 
volunteers, two were left with the teams having 
the tent, blankets, axes, etc., the other si.x started 
out in single file, each taking his turn to head 
and break track a mile. On reaching the top of 
the short hills. Van Fossen and Nash left the 
party, who moved too slow for them. They 
started off on a trot and were soon out of sight. 
When the party reached the pond on the west 
side of Lima, they found the two men sitting on 
a log nearly asleep, and badly chilled. They took 
some time and effort to arouse them. They had 
hurried on until they were warmed and fatigued, 
and sat down to rest. The wind swept across the 
frozen pond, cold and bleak, and it is probable if 
the party had not discovered them, that they 
would have frozen to death. It was long after 
■dark when they were found. The most serious 
obstacle was the crossing of Mill creek. Lima 



Center. The water was nearly waist deep, the 
night was cold. It was between the party and 
home. There was no going around it. It must 
be passed, and passed it was, and the pace in- 
creased. Disagreeable as is a cold bath in winter, 
and unpleasant as it is to have one's clothes 
frozen on him, no bad effects followed. At Clem- 
ent's the same stream had to be forded again, 
but there the water was only knee deep. Some of 
the party remained at Clement's, and some went 
on with AlcCarty to his home. At each place a 
good warm supper and a night's rest put all right 
again. The next day all except McCarty reached 
Ann .\rbor in time for dinner. The trip occu- 
pied six or eight davs. 

'Tn conclusion it may not be improper to say 
that in the following spring the road was used 
to such an extent and so many emigrants moved 
west of .-Xnn .-Krbor on it. that the people who had 
made a home at Jacksonburg concluded that they 
would celebrate the Fourth of July in the good 
old-fashioned style. Gideon Wilcoxson, of Ann 
.\rbor, gave an eloquent oration. About seventy 
persons sat down to a good dinner. Captain .\lex 
Laverty, who had taken up his residence there, 
commanded the escort. .\nn .\rbor furnished the 
orator, marshal of the day. and part of the com- 
mittee of arrangements, besides about a dozen 
citizens. The day was all that could be desired, 
and everyone who took part in the celebration 
seemed well pleased." 

THE TERRITORIAL RO.\D. 

In 1829, a stage arrived at .Vnn Arbor from 
Detroit three times a week. It was the building 
of the Chicago and the territorial roads that side- 
tracked Woodruff's Grove and established Ypsi- 
lanti. The picture of the early roads given in the 
second issue of the Western Emigrant in a letter 
from the same Canadian traveler, whose letter in 
the first issue has proven of so great interest, is 
contained in his description of Ypsilanti. He 
says : "This place possesses some advantages over 
its competitors. One in particular I wnll mention. 
The United States has laid out a road leading 
from Detroit to Chicago, in the state of Illinois, 
that passes immediately through it. This is partly 



5«.)S PASr A\P I'KI'lSl'NT OV WASl I 11 \ \\\ riUXIN 

liuislial l>\ the i^ovcniuu-nt l'i\>m Poiroil t\\ciU\ Ov>imt\ ; aiul iu>i iiilH't|iuntl\ u liapiniuil ili.ii iwo 

miles west to ihis place. A miiulH-f of liaiuls arc c\tia slaves .imi\ciI ,ii NpMl.uui, Ki,ulc<l wiili 

now al work on the roavl .uh\ will, m .ill piob passcujicrs I'oi llic wcsl. I''h\il;i .ilion incrcisod 

alulilv, keep pace willi ihc sclllcmeiu. U is ot so rapidly thai sta,i;c coaches li.inlU Mil1icc>l to 

i^Teat advantage to the cmij^tant in the I'acilitv it canv the emij.;raius to the west. 
artorvLs lor the traiisporlatiou ol l;ooi1s Iroin Pe 

tixnt to tile interior. \ on wonKl he asionishei.1 to u\ii i;o\i>s. 

see the niuuher vif teams and persons that daily 

pass upon it to the west. .\t present, however. In iS,;i the nciroii \ .'^t, Joseph K.uho.ul, or 
it is almost impassahle on account of tlte ipian Michij;an t. enii.il K.iiho.ul, .is ii .iticrw.ud c.uuc 
tity oi rain that has fallen within a few da\s; and to he called, w.is cii.mcicd with .i c.ipn.il oi one 
tliose who do tr;ivel it in its present siaic .ue million li\c luuuhcd ihons.md doll, us, lo nni di 
lavish in their enrses and imprivatiiMis thc\ hc.ip iccilx tlnonj^h \\ asliicn.iw comiii\. ,md ihroni^h 
upon those who huilt the road. especiall\ mjioii ihe \'illa!.;es of N'psihmti. \mi \ilior .nul Pcxtci'. 
tl)e n>en app«Mnted hy the I'nited ."--tates to super- This road was son\e lime in hnildins;. .uul hcfore 
intend its construction. A pan of the road has it was ci>mpleted or even unicli h.id Ihcu done on 
heen l>adl\ constructed, l.ar^e and lon,^' trees the constiuction it was pmchascd In ilic slate. 
ha\c heen placed toj^ether in the center oi the which completed the ro.ul to \ psil.mii in I, urn 
rcxul and carefully covered with the .soil from the ar\ . ii\i8. ,\ railroad meeting was held at .\nn 
sitles, which soon, as it heeonu's softened hy the Arhor in Scptemher. 18,^4, for the purpose of rais- 
rain. lets the wheels thron_t;h to the timher. and in;.: funds I'oi- the expenses oi eiii^ineers to surve\ 
it they pass throui^h a crevice hetween the loj;'s, a route for a railruul across the territorx . Nearlv 
a 'set,' as the teautsters say, is the iuevitahle con- four hundred dollars was immcdiatelx siihscrihed, 
swjueuee. In addition to the j^rcU inlet iuio the and the l'"mi,i;raut oi Scptemher 11, iS;|. said. 
interior atTorded by the (."hicai^o road, the lei^is- that after the meetini.; the required amonnt had 
lativo council, who are now iu session, have hcet\ ohtained, t,~>n Scptemher iSth. the paper 
passed a law ,md .ippointcd commissioneis for the stated that the cnj.;incers were proceedinL; w ilh 
establishment of a territorial nxid to lea\e the the survey, and that hetween Hetroit and the 
Cluea!.;o road a few miles northeast of tiiis vil- Huron river they had met with no obstacles. The 
laji'e runuiuj;' thence in a westcrl\ direction route struck the Ihnon ii\er a li.ilf a mile aho\e 
throuiih tlie villaj;e of Ann .VrluM'. across the \ psilaiUi. and betweeu that poim and Ann Arbor, 
lieadwaters of the tu'and river, throujjh a part of it becanie necessary to cross the ilm'on several 
the valley of the KalamazCHi, anil from thence to tiuies; and the paper stated that this was. per- 
the month of the St. Josej^h river." TIk- letter de- haps, the most dilVienlt section on the route, \n- 
scribes al lenjitlt the dissatisfaction of a number other railroad meetiui;' w;is helil iu ,\mi .\rbor on 
of the people because two of the ^eutlemeu who Pcccmber (\ iS^.i. for the pnrptise of apply iui; to 
had been appointed couutiissiouers to lay out this congress for aid iu the ctMistrnctiou of the rail- 
new territorial i\xvd resiiled ou the route that it road across the peninsula. I'Mward Mundy was 
would probably take. chairman of this meetinj;', and (ieorj>e Corselius 

The conuuissioners appointed to lay out the secretary. They recommended the holdiuj;' of a 

territorial road were Seeley Neal, of Panama, Or- meetiu;;- for this purpose in Petroit, and the cir- 

rin \\hite. of Ann Arbor, and Jehiel Ears, of enlation of petitions. On the sth oi nccember. 

Cirand Prairie. They were ajipointed on the .(th ii^35, Oavid iXce, Mdward 1.. I'ullcr. \\ illiam R. 
of November. iS.'o. Thompson, t."harles Thayer and lames Kinjjsley 

In Max. iS_;i. there were two daily static lines were appointed a eomn\ittee to solicit sub.serip- 

leaviut;- ,\un .\rbor every morninji', passing tious to tlie capital stock of the road, later 

throu,i;h ^'psilanti. for IVtroit. .\l Ypsilaiui they .siiiek subscript it^ns were opened ai the I tank of 

interscctei,! with a tltird staije line for St. Joseph Michi_!.;an in neiroii, at Mi-. Vndrcw's house in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



599 



Ypsilantj and at Mr. Clark's house in Ann Arbor. 
The cstimalcfl cost for constructing llic railroa'l 
from JX'troit tr> Ann Arbor was one hunflreij 
thousand dollars, and the newspapers of that <lay 
arfjiK'd that twenty-five per c<-nt, of the increase 
in value which the r(rd(i would cause i/i the prop- 
erty in Detroit, Vpsilanti and Ann Arlc^r would 
build the road. f)n July 23d, the local jjapers 
stated tliat seventy thousand dollars had been sub- 
scrilx-'d at Detroit, om(' hmidnd thousand dol- 
lars at Yjjsilanti, and nine thousand dollars at 
Ann Arbor, it was also slated that a larj^e part 
of the stock lakcn at Ypsilanii had been sub- 
scribed by the caj^ilalists from the east. 

At the time when, in 1837, the state jnirchased 
the road and the charter rif^hts of the company, 
the coni|jany had expenflcd one hiuKlrefi sixteen 
thousand, nine hinidred two dollars and sixty- 
seven cents. The road was wmj^leted by the 
state to Yjjsilanli in Jaiuiary, 1838, and the cost 
of construclinj( the section r,i the road between 
Detroit and Ypsilanti, includin{( the purchase of 
locomotives and cars, atifl the erection of flejjot 
buildiiif^s, was about four hun'lred thou.sand dol- 
lars. The estimated cost at that time of con- 
slructinji the balance of the road from Yjisilanti 
t/j .St. Joseph was one million five hundred thou- 
sand dollars. The .Michigan Gazateer published 
in 1838 j,dves .some idea of the amount of busi- 
ness done during the first six months of the r^- 
jieration of the road from Detroit U) Ypsilanti. 
The recei))ts from January 10 to May 20, 1838, 
were twenty-three thousand, nine hundred and 
sixty-three dollars and fifty-four cents ; from .May 
20 to July 18, 1838, the receipts were eighteen 
thousand, nine hundred and eij^ht dollars and 
sixty-one cents. In this period of about two 
months nine thou.sand, seven hundred and ninety- 
six pas.scnj^ers had been carried, tsvo million, 
eij.(hty-six thousand, nine hundred and eif(hty 
pounds of merchandise, one thousand, one hun- 
dred and twenty-three barrels of flour, six thou- 
sand, seven hundred feet oi lumber and two hun- 
dred, thirty-three thousand shinffles. The Ga- 
zateer continues: "There were at the last date, 
rjuly 1 8th;, four locomotive engines in opera- 
tion, five passenger and ten freight cars. The 
business was increasing itpon the means of trans- 



jxjrtation. The average weekly receipts for the 
six or eight weeks preceding the first of July was 
about two thousand, five hundre/l dollars. Up to 
the 24th of May, four thousand, five hundred 
jjassengers had been transported from Detroit 
to Ypsilanti, mainly einigrants, and about one 
thousand, six hundred to intermediate places, 
making six thousand, one hundred. An exten- 
sion of the road is making from the depot in De- 
troit to the JJetroit river through Woodward 
avenue, extending one thousand feet in the lower 
street each side of it. The road is constructing 
from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor, and b<^jth improve- 
ments will he completed bv the first of Octoljcr, 

1838." 

The roafl was not coinpleted, however, to Ann 
.\rbor until October 17, 1839, and the celebration 
of the great event which had been j>lanned for 
some weeks is thus described in the Western 
I'lmigrant : 

■*I-ast Thursday was a proud and happy flay 
for Ann Arlxjr. Although the people of Mich- 
igan have great cause to ajinplain of the out- 
rageoas inefiliciency of those heretofore entrusted 
with the building of this road, and of the pro- 
crastination of the event which thousands finally 
liad an opjjortunity of celebrating in an ap]>ro- 
jjriatc manner, yet all party feeling was now 
checked by common consent, and all were dis- 
jjosed to forget the delay in the general rejocing 
and conviviality of the occasion. A more lovely 
clay never dawned. Our Indian summer, as was 
anticipated, reigned in all its softness and deli- 
ciousness. All was gaiety and delight. People 
came from all quarters, to witness the arrival of 
the cars for the first time at our new and beauti- 
ful dejjot, and to aid our citizens in the reception 
and entertainment of their civil and military 
guests. ,'\t noon the cars arrived, fmnging up- 
ward of a thousand visitors from Detroit. 'I'hey 
were met at the depot by the committee of ar- 
rangements, who welcomed them through the 
lion. James Kingsley, in a brief but apjjropriate 
speech. George C. Hates, Esq., on behalf of the 
common council of Detroit, made a felicitous 
reply, after which the (procession formeri and 
marched through the principal streets to the 
courthouse square, where a splenrlid banquet had 



6oo 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



been prepared by Messrs. Clark and Petty, of 
the Exchange. Here the Brady guard pitched 
their tents, and a general interchange of good 
feeling between them and the Washtenaw guards 
followed. A detachment of the Pittsfield volun- 
teer corps came in, and we should infer from their 
soldier-like appearance that the whole company 
would have been, as they were, an acquisition to 
the pageantry of the day. 

"The dinner went ofif well, notwithstanding a 
"burning noonday sun kept many from partaking. 
After the cloth was removed, a great many en- 
thusiastic toasts were drank, ^vhich were the fol- 
lowing : 

" 'The first train from the city of Detroit — it 
iDrings with it a long train of pleasant reflections.' 

" 'The state of Michigan — Internal improve- 
ments necessary to the development of her abun- 
dant natural resources.' 

" 'Railroad and Canals — the business of months 
is now done in a day; if they do not lengthen nur 
years, they enable us to live more in the same 
time.' 

" 'The Central Railroad — the Michigan link in 
the great chain from the seaboard to the Mis- 
sissippi.' 

" 'Railroads and Steain-f^o-icer — A Yankee's 
notion of the Utile cum dnlcc.' 

"'The City of Detroit and the Ullage of Ann 
Arbor — Next door neighbors.' 

" 'The Uniirrsity of Michigan — Genius aided 
by science, the true source of all practical good.' 

" 'The IV est — The great west — an empire in 
itself.' 

"'The J\illey of the Huron— P,eauUh\\ by na- 
ture, a fit path for a beautiful track. 

" 'IVoman — Cupid's locomotive.' 

" 'City of Detroit — The commercial emporium 
of Michigan ; its prosperity is identified with the 
general interests of the state.' 

"By George C. Piates, Esq., in behalf of the 
city of Detroit: 'The Village of Ann Arbor — 
Appropriately selected as the literary emporium 
of this beautiful peninsula. May the streams of 
learning and science gush from the surrounding 
Tiills as from the seven hills of the imperial site, 
refreshing and perfuming the whole land.' 

"The company broke up about three o'clock 
and the citizens of Detroit generally returned in 



the cars that afternoon, gratified, we doubt not, 
with their visit."' 

The completion of the road to Dexter was the 
occasion of another celebration which took place 
on the Fourth of July, 1841, and has been de- 
scribed by Judge Alexander D. Crane : 

"The 4th of July, 1841, was a da\' long to be 
remembered by the people of Dexter. Early in 
the morning of that day the people of the sur- 
rounding country came pouring into the village 
on foot, on horseback, in carriages and wagons, 
not only to celebrate the anniversary of the na- 
tion's birthday, but at the same time to celebrate 
the completion to our village of the Michigan 
Central Railroad. By nine o'clock in the fore- 
noon a large concourse of people had assembled 
at the depot, awaiting the arrival of the cars, 
which were to bring the visitors from Ann Arbor 
and other eastern villages along the line of the 
road. We had but a few minutes to wait before 
the shrill whistle of the iron horse was heard, and 
instantly the train came in its grandeur and maj- 
esty around the curve into full view, and thun- 
dered up to the depot, when the air was filled with 
loud huzzas and shouts of welcome, and every- 
body was happy. The train brought a large dele- 
gation of visitors from the cast, and as soon as it 
was stopped, the Washtenaw Guards (who were 
invited guests"), about fifty strong, filed out of the 
cars and into line under command of their gallant 
captain, E. S, Cobb, who lost his life on the ill- 
fated steamer Erie, early in the following August. 
The guards were handsomely equipped, well dis- 
ciplined and made a fine appearance. After 
marching to the bank of the river, near the bridge, 
where they fired a fue de joie, the captain placed 
himself and companv under the orders of the mar- 
shal of the day. when a grand procession was 
formed, and. escorted by the guards and their 
band, marched to the place appointed for the ex- 
ercises of the day and the occasion. Here they 
were welcomed by an eloquent and stirring speech 
from our much esteemed friend and neighbor, 
Hon. Samuel W. Dexter, which was responded 
to by Franklin Sawyer, of Ann Arbor. The Rev. 
Lorenzo Davis was the chief orator of the day, 
and gave us a very fine oration, suited to the day 
and the occasion. 

"On this dav everything was harmonious, and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



60 1 



everybody was liappy and joyful, for we had been 
placed in communication by railroad with the city 
of Detroit, which communication was soon to be 
completed through Canada to the eastern states. 
The day passed oft' without accident, or anything 
to mar our happiness. The Washtenaw Guards 
remained with us over night, having brought their 
camp equipage with them for that purpose, and 
camped on the open space which now constitutes 
the village park, where they established a regular 
military camp. After guard moimting in the even- 
ing, the citizens were invited by Captain Cobb to 
visit the camp and witness the routine of camp 
duty. If I may be pardoned for so doing, I will 
mention one or two incidents that occurred to the 
guard during the night. In the middle of the 
night, when all the citizens were at their repose, 
one of the sentinels discovered fire issuing from 
an ash-house, which was contiguous to a very fine 
dwelling near the camp ; and considering the 
dwelling to be in danger, the sentinel gave the 
alarm to the guards, whereupon the officers or- 
dered a squad of men to repair to the fire with 
their camp pails and extinguish it. The men at 
once repaired to the well of the man on whose 
premises was the fire, but found the bucket locked, 
so they could get no water. Their eliforts to ob- 
tain water aroused the man of the house, who 
raised his windows and peremptorily ordered 
them ofif his premises ; but the guards, not willing 
to let the fire go unextinguished, went with their 
pails a distance of twenty rods or more, to a well 
where the bucket was not locked, and procured a 
sufificiency of water and extinguished the fire, thus 
saving the citizen's property from destruction. 

"Along in the after part of the night some of 
the guards came to the conclusion a little milk 
punch was quite desirable, and that they could 
procure the requisite milk from some of the vil- 
lage cows that were 13'ing on the green ; so one of 
their number was detailed to go on a foraging ex- 
cursion for the milk, and taking his camp pail he 
started forth ; but the next question was, how to 
pass the guard, as he was not in possession of the 
countersign, and the sentinel had not been let into 
the secret of the enterprise. But, nothing daunted, 
he approached one of the sentinels on duty, who 
hailed, 'Halt! who comes there?' 'A friend.' 



'Friend, advance and give the countersign,' He 
advanced to the point of the sentinel's bayonet, 
and holding up the camp pail to the sentinel, he 
said, 'So, bossy, so!' which was received by the 
sentinel as the countersign, and he passed without 
the line and went and found one or more cows, to 
which he gave the same countersign, procured his 
full pail of milk and returned to the same sentinel, 
and by the same token passed within the line. 
The boys had a good time with their milk punch, 
not forgetting the sentinel who had accepted the 
countersign." 

The road was soon built to Jackson, and in 1846 
it was completed to Kalamazoo. In 1846 the 
Michigan Central was sold by the state to a pri- 
vate corporation for $2,000,000, and thus ended 
the first experiment in Michigan with the govern- 
mental ownership of a railroad. 

Previous to this, however, many other roads 
had been projected, some of which were to come 
into Washtenaw county. Among them was the 
Monroe and Ypsilanti Railroad Company, incor- 
porated in 1836 with a capital stock of $400,000, 
to be built to connect the village of Monroe with 
the Central Railroad at Ypsilanti. This road was 
never built. The same year the Monroe and Ann 
Arbor Railroad Company was incorporated with 
a capital stock of $300,000. This was to connect 
Monroe and Ann Arbor instead of Monroe and 
Ypsilanti, the rivalry of the two cities of Washte- 
naw county being thus shown at this early date. 

In 1836 the Palmyra and Jacksonburg railroad 
was chartered, its route lying through Tecumseh, 
Clinton and Manchester, to Jackson. This road, 
unlike the other two roads chartered in the same 
year, was constructed and finally passed into the 
hands of the Lake Shore, and is now known as 
the Jackson branch of that road. Its capital stock 
was $300,000, and the state loaned the company 
$20,000 towards its construction. 

The Detroit, Hillsdale and Indiana road was 
completed through Washtenaw county in 1870. 
This also passed into the hands of the Lake Shore, 
and is known as the Ypsilanti branch of the Lake 
Shore and runs from Ypsilanti, through Pittsfield, 
Saline, Bridgewater and Manchester to Hillsdale. 
For the construction of this road Ypsilanti bonded 
herself for $50,000. Hillsdale subscribed $10,000 



6o2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



and all the villai;vs and towns alnnt; the ronte sub- 
scribed large sums of money. About this time 
the supreme court of Michigan decided that aid 
voted by municipal corporations to railroad com- 
panies was unconstitutional in the celebrated case 
of the township of Salem, which had voted aid to 
tlie Detroit, Howell and Lansing railroad, but 
which had refused to issue the bonds. After this 
decision the various municii.)al corporations along 
the route of the Detroit, Hillsdale and Ypsilanti 
Railroad, as the rnad later becaiue known, re- 
ceived back the bonds which they had placed in 
the hands of the railroad, with the exception of 
the citv of Ypsilanti. The road offered to retrnm 
these bonds on condition that the citizens of the 
citv should take $40,000 of railroad stock. The 
sum of $20,000 was raisetl by the citizens fur 
stock, and as soon as this amount had been paid 
up the company notified the city that the city's 
bonds had been sold to a man named Taylor in 
New York, and that the bonds must be paid in 
full. The city declined to pay and Taylor Ijrought 
suit in the United States court. This suit dragged 
along for some time and finally went to the su- 
preme court of the United States, which refused 
to follow the ruling in the .Salem ease and gave 
Taylor a judgment for the amount of his bonds, 
claiming that he was an innocent purchaser for 
value and should therefore be protected. 

The Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Railroad 
was built from Toledo to Ann .\rbor in 1878. 
and shortly afterward from .\nn Arbor to South 
Lyon. Finally it was built to Howell, Owosso. 
Cadillac and Frankfort, and in a few years the 
line was straightened and South Lyons left out 
in the cold. Another straightening of the line 
left out Emory in this county. For the construc- 
tion of this road a large amount of money was 
stibscribed along the proposed route and the citi- 
zens of Ami Arbor were not backward in their 
contributions. 

The Detroit, Howell and Lansing, afterwards 
the Detroit, Lansing and Northern, and now the 
Fere Marquette railroad, was built through the 
northeastern part of the town of Salem in this 
county in 1870. Salem had voted $20,000 bonds 
to help this company along but the supreme court 
of Michigan, as we have seen, decided that tliis 
was outside the power of a township to do. 



INTERURBAN STREETC.VR LINES. 

Lion. Junius E. Deal, who was one of the stock- 
holders in the first interurban line built in Michi- 
gan, between .Ann Arbor anfl Y])silanti, read the 
following history of the interurban lines before 
the State Pioneer Society January 16, 1906: 

As an evolution from the baby railroad running 
from a saw log in the woods to a mill on the river 
or harbor, the first interurban street railroad car 
crawled out of town into another drawn ])v a 
puffing steam engine which was built around the 
boiler so as to disguise it enough to make the 
rustic horse think it was only a woodshed on 
wheels, and not let his timid heart take fright. 

In the summer of 1890 one of these useful but 
unpopular promoters dropped oft' the train at 
Ypsilanti and began to get a franchise for a street 
railroad between Ann .Vrbor and Ypsilanti. He 
got some people of those towns interested after a 
lot of urging and what seemed big stories of the 
traffic to be developed. For instance, he claimed 
that five liundred people a day would want to ride 
lietween the towns, .\fter we had ascertained 
that tlie Michigan Central was only carrying forty 
people a day between Ann .\rbor and Ypsilanti it 
seemed impossible. But he had us telegraph to 
the eight or ten roads then in operation in the 
United States to verify his rosy dream. To our 
surprise we learned they were building up large 
communication between towns which were near 
each other when they could oft'er frequent service 
and low fares. To our further surprise we after- 
wards found the promoter's estimate was below 
the mniiber we daily carried, for over si.x hundred 
a day availed themselves of the convenience not 
long after the road was in operation, instead of 
the forty w'ho took the Michigan Central. This 
was mainly because the service was every hovir 
and a half, while the fare one way was ten cents 
instead of twenty-five on the steam railroad. It 
was greatly helped by the simple fact that, while 
.\nn .Arbor had three thousand boys and not 
enough girls, Ypsilanti had a thousand girls at 
the Normal and not enough boys. The street rail- 
way helped to restore the equilibrium, especially 
on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. 

The road was to be built the seven and one-half 
miles from the business portion of Ypsilanti to the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



603 



limits of Ann Arbor for $45,000. To illustrate 
how it was brought within those low figures the 
following details may be enumerated : 

2,000 ties at $0.50 $10,000 

500 tons rails at $38 19,000 

Grading 2,250 

Trestles 2,000 

Track laying 2,250 

Fish plates and spikes 2,000 

Equipment 7-500 



$45,000 



The road having been built in the late fall. 
sometimes on frozen ground much had to be done 
later on the road bed. therefore over $20,000 ad- 
ditional was put on grading, making necessary a 
second mortgage of $20,000. the first having been 
for $40,000. 

At first it was thought to run the cars with 
naphtha motors, but the type of Porter enclosed 
steam motors so successful in the woods was de- 
termined upon as the safest and most reliable. 
Consequently the first equipment consisted of one 
Porter motor for $3,750, and its headlight $50. 
also its brakes for $275. Then the two cars were 
$1,000 each. When it got to running the ex- 
penses were $35 per day. It might be added that 
there were no salaries for the president, secretary 
or treasurer. 

A local electric street car line operated in 
Ann Arbor, and as the law at that time would 
not encourage one road having the right to run 
on another's tracks the city road kept the motor 
line out of the city, making them stop at the 
city limits and deliver their passengers to them. 
On the other hand, Ypsilanti welcomed the puf- 
fing, smoking dummy to its streets, and for the 
next few years the most of the city's growth and 
new buildings was on those streets where the 
motor ran. 

In the country it ran on the highwav, conse- 
quently horses, cows and chickens were occasion- 
ally offered up as sacrifices. Whether thcv were 
sometimes very old and driven on the track pur- 
posely or not by the owner, the road never had 
a suit, but alwavs settled for the live stock. This 



kept the good will of the farmers and they would 
turn out in the night or storm to help boost the 
motor back on the track. 

In 1 89 1, we bought a car twenty-eight feet 
long which was very large for those primitive 
days, from die Grand Rapids street railroad 
which had just equipped its Reed Lake line with 
electricity. The car cost us $800, and it had 
such good trucks under it that they are still used 
under one of the freight cars of the D., Y., A. 
A. & J. electric road. The total mileage of those 
trucks must have been enormous by this time, as 
they have been in constant use for seventeen 
years. 

To illustrate how old-fashioned we were in 
finance we had the idea that the mortgage bonds 
w'hen issued should be paid when due, whereas 
the modern way is that, when due they shall 
only be refunded, and as much more added as can 
be sold. But, we innocently provided for a sink- 
ing fund which would nearly wipe out the loan 
by the date of its maturity. As that would make 
the operation of the watering pot too conspicuous 
our primitive methods have not been followed. 
However, there is this to be said about the water 
poured into railroad properties. They have in- 
creased so rapidly in earnings and values that 
even when vratered heavily they have soon ab- 
sorbed the liquids and become worth the previous 
fictitious valuations. 

There were some interesting holdups on the 
company several times. At one time early in 
its history, the owners of a farm just outside of 
.\nn Arbor wishing to sell it to the street railway 
began suit and got an injunction out which 
stopped the cars running. In a lively week of 
hustling the officials of the road got that farm 
taken into the city and the tracks moved over to 
the middle of the road two rods nearer the farm 
house than before, and the cars merrily rolling 
passed. Since then that farm has had all the 
benefits of the city. 

.\nother time, when the owners of the road 
were holding all bonds themselves and in order 
to put the earnings into improvements agreed to 
hold the coupons and wait for their interest, one 
man thought he would not wait. So he sent his 
bonds to some Chicago brokers who at once de- 



6o4 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



mandcd their interests on the bonds. This not 
being paid, they threatened to put the road into 
a receiver's hands by a certain date. Believing 
they would try to carry out the threat the direct- 
ors applied for a receiver first and had the book- 
keeper of the company appointed. Nothing 
more was heard from that hold-up. 

After the consolidation of the Ann Arbor street 
railway with the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Street 
Railway the city lines were a drag on the com- 
pany, especially in the summer time. As an 
experiment, arrangements were made to sell ten 
tickets for a quarter, good after 6 130 p. m. This 
caught the popular fancy for mark-down prices, 
and the open cars were packed every night with 
passengers who wanted to cool off before going 
to sleep. They brought their families and neigh- 
bors, using up their slips rapidly enough. The 
officers of the road found it did not cost more to 
run cars with sixty passengers bringing in $1.50 
a trip than three passengers at five cents, bring- 
ing in fifteen cents. In other words, the cutting 
in half of the fare made revenues ten times more. 

We would commend these results to the Upper 
Peninsula railroads which keep on charging 
four cents when they could make more at two 
cents a mile. 

The first electric car to be operated in Michi- 
gan, and the third one in the United States, was 
in Port Huron. It ran from the park on Mili- 
tary street to the bridge about one mile, and it 
was a Vandepode type of car with the motor 
and motor-men in the center of the car, leaving 
enough room at the end for four or five pas- 
sengers. This was in 1886. 

Just before the 4th of July, 1895, the electric 
road was opened to Mount Clemens. It inaugu- 
rated the large high-speed car, with heavy dou- 
ble trucks, and I believe it was the first in the 
country to do this. The road, it is said, was built 
hurriedly and cheaply, simply to sell to investors, 
but its popularity became at once so great that it 
became from the start a paying investment. Then 
it had to be entirely rebuilt with larger rails, 
heavier engines, larger feeders and trolley wires, 
and cars, all the old equipment having to be 
thrown away before it got worn smooth. It was 
too good a thing to sell. Even at that time elec- 



tric power could not be transmitted far and 
twenty miles was regarded as the ultima thule of 
distance roads could be operated successfully. 
The transformers were waiting to be planned 
by the daring which would, without too great a 
loss, transmit a high voltage 250 miles, as at 
present. 

It is a giant stride in ten years from a road 
which could only be twenty miles in length by 
the limitations of transmission and losses so large 
as to make it commercially unprofitable, up to 
today when }-ou can go from Bay City to Cin- 
cinnati or Pittsburg, a distance of 300 miles of 
well graded electric highways connecting with 
3,700 miles of electric railway, representing in- 
vestments of $110,000,000. It has made such a 
marvelous jump that even the courts have dif- 
ficulty at times in keeping in view the fact that 
electric roads are simply highways. They may 
come back to the full meaning of it soon when 
arrangements may be made for individuals to 
drive their own cars over the tracks as wagons 
or automobiles go on the dirt roads. Gasoline is 
quite likely to run many cars in the future. 

Detroit was a long time in getting electric cars, 
for the old horses took the bits in their mouths 
and stayed on, trudging between the tracks until 
pushed off. But a little bob-tailed single truck 
car came as an early inter-urban between Rouge 
River and Wyandotte in 1893. It was an early 
forerunner of the system to Toledo, just as the 
Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti road had been, three 
years before that time, of the road between De- 
troit and Jackson. 

The great success of electrics has wrought a 
considerable change in the ideas of investors. 
For instance, in 1895, one of our officers talked 
with David Whitney about his buying some of 
the bonds to be sold for putting electricity on the 
road and building through to Detroit. This in- 
vestor, who was one of the wisest in the state, 
refused to consider it a moment, saying no street 
railway could succeed unless it could get a large 
summer business to a lake or river resort. The 
road from Detroit to Ann Arbor would fail be- 
cause during the best season for making money 
the students were away from Ann Arbor and 
Ypsilanti. Notwithstanding this, the bonds of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



605 



tractions now command premiums and witliin the 
next years are likely to be made legal investments 
for savings banks. 

The first official trip of the motor was an 
eventful one. The members of the common 
council and newspaper men of the two cities were 
invited for a ride. They went out on the electric 
car to the Ann Arbor city limits wliere transfers 
were made to the steam motor. Fortunately, it 
did not jump the track on that excursion trip 
and it only set fire to one barn. But that was 
soon put out and the party was safely landed in 
Ypsilanti. Not wishing to run any more risks 
they were all returned home on the Michigan 
Central night train, declaring the road a suc- 
cess because no one was killed or even maimed 
for life. Trips were made regularly after that 
and six hundred passengers a day were carried. 

There have been many consolidations. First 
the Ann Arbor street railway was taken in dur- 
ing the summer of 1895. Two years later it was 
sold to the Detroit, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor 
Street Railway Company which increased the 
bonds from $150,000 to $600,000. In February, 
1899, by improvements, extensions to Saline and 
rolling stock, it was bonded for $1,000,000. Then 
when the Jackson division was built in 1901 the 
bonds were made $2,600,000. 

The road was fortunate in having J. D. Hawks, 
a former Michigan Central engineer, take it up 
and build it to Detroit, as his experience and 
railroad facilities gave him opportunities for pur- 
chasing rails, ties and equipment of the best and 
getting them quickly assembled. Much of the 
subsequent success of the road is due to him, as 
was .much of it due on the start to the optimism 
and public spirit of Henry P. Glover, of Ypsi- 
lanti, who not only put in a large amount of 
money but the most of his time without any 
salarv. 



CHAPTER VI. 



WILDCAT B.\NKING. 



Washtenaw county in common with the other 
counties of Michigan, had its experience with 
36 



wildcat banks, and the credit of the origin of the 
scheme under which the wildcat banks were or- 
ganized has been given to two citizens of Wash- 
tenaw, Samuel W. Foster and John Holden, both 
of Scio, millers, who applied to the Bank of 
Michigan in Detroit for a loan of money to buy 
wheat. The bank referred them to a broker who 
loaned them the desired money at a heavy dis- 
count. In order to save paying this broker heavy 
interests, on their return home they figured out a 
plan on which the wildcat banks were established. 
The legislature was petitioned for the passage of 
a law, and only four members of the legislature 
voted against it, two of whom were from Washte- 
naw, Alpheus Felch and Robert Purdy. These 
banks were to be banks of issue and the basis for 
their issue was to be the possession of thirty per 
cent of their capital stock in specie, and the re- 
demption of their circulation was to be secured 
by mortgages on real estate. The effect of this 
law was that land recently purchased for $1.25 
per acre from the government was valued at ten 
and twenty times that amount. Judge Cooley has 
described the effect of this law thus : 

"Any ten freeholders of the county must be 
poor indeed if they could not give sufficient secur- 
ity to answer the purposes of the general banking 
law. The requirement of the payment of thirty 
per cent of the capital stock in specie was more 
difficult to be complied with, but as the payment 
was to be made to the bank itself the difficulty 
was gotten over in various ingenious ways which 
the author of the general banking law could 
scarcely have anticipated. In some cases stock 
notes in terms payable in specie, or the certificates 
of individuals which stated — untruly — that the 
maker held a specified sum of specie for the bank, 
were counted as specie itself. In others a small 
sum of specie was put in and taken out, and the 
process repeated over and over until the aggre- 
gate of payments equaled the sum required. In 
still others specie with which one bank was or- 
ganized was passed from town to town and made 
to answer the purposes of several. By the first 
day of January, 1838, articles of incorporation 
for twenty-one banks had been filed, making with 
the banks before in existence, the average of one 
to less than 5,000 people. Some of them were 



r.o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNT\^ 



absolutely without capital and some were organ- 
ized by scheming men in New York and else- 
where, who took the bills away with them to 
circulate abroad, paying out none at home. For 
some, locations as inaccessible as possible were 
selected that the bills might not come back to 
plague the makers. The bank commissioners say 
in their report for 1839 of their journey for in- 
spection : 'The singular spectacle was presented 
of the officers of the state seeking for banks in 
])laces most inaccessible and remote for trade and 
finding at every step an increase of labor by dis- 
covering new and unknown organizations. Be- 
fore they could be arrested the mischief was done. 
Large issues were in circulation and no adequate 
remedy for the evil." One bank was found 
housed in a saw-mill, and it vras said with par- 
donable exaggeration in one of the pul^lic papers 
that every village plat with a house or even with- 
out a house, if it had a hollow stump to serve as 
a vault, was the site of a bank." 

A bank was started at Lowell, a mile below 
Geddes saw-mill, one at Ypsilanti, one at Saline, 
one at Manchester, one at Sharon and one at 
Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor tenk was called 
The Millers' Bank of Washtenaw, and was situ- 
ated on the corner of Broadway and Brovrn 
streets, and it is believed to have been the only 
hank of its kind in Michigan which was honestly 
conducted and paid up its indebtedness in full. 

In the Michigan Gazateer of 1838 the banks in 
Washtenaw were mentioned as follows : The 
Bank of Washtenaw at Ann Arbor, with $500,- 
000 capital : The Bank of Ypsilanti at Ypsilanti, 
with a capital of $250,000; the Millers' Bank of 
Washtenaw at Ann Arbor, with a capital of $50,- 
000; The Bank of Saline, with a capital of $100,- 
000; The Bank of Manchester, with a capital of 
$100,000; The Farmers' Bank of Sharon, with a 
capital of $50,000; The Huron River Bank of 
Ypsilanti, with a capital of $100,000; The Citi- 
zens' Bank of Michigan at Ann Arbor, with a 
capital of $100,000; and The Bank of Superior, 
with $100,000 capital. The aggregate capi- 
tal of these banks amounted to $1,350,- 
000, which, it will be noticed, is much 
larger than the capital of the banks of 
Washtenaw to-day. An era of specula- 
tion ensued. In some cases where the stockhold- 



ers of the banks had not sufficient land of their 
own, land not yet purchased from the general 
government was mortgaged as a basis for circula- 
tion. Fortunes were made in a few months. 
Cities and villages were platted for the purpose 
of raising the price of land to be mortgaged for 
the issue of more bank bills. In Washtenaw 
there were such villages as Boston, Newport, 
Saratoga, Wyndham and Sharon. The plats of 
these villages are still on record in the office of 
the register of deeds, but where are the villages? 
Men built fine houses and lived sum]ituously. 
The Hon. Alpheus Felch, of Ann Arbor, was ap- 
pointed bank commissioner in an effort to check 
these wildcat banks. To circumvent his investi- 
gation the bank founders attempted sharp prac- 
tices. Specie boxes were filled with old scrap 
iron which was covered over with specie, and the 
commissioner was asked to take the mint number 
which was marked on the box. The fraud was 
exposed by dumping the boxes on the floor. An- 
other trick tried was the procuring of enough 
specie for any one bank by a number of banks 
clubbing together ; and the commissioner's route 
was ascertained by inquiries from him at various 
points, and after he had made an examination 
of the specie in one bank it was hastily repacked 
and hurried off to the bank he was next to visit. 
Soon Bank Commissioner Felch tumbled to this 
practice so that when he was expected to examine 
the Farmers' Bank of Sandstone he might sud- 
denly appear at the Farmers' Bank of Sharon. 
The community ran wild with speculation. Farm- 
ers left their fields untilled. Mechanics stopped 
work. Merchants got out from behind their coun- 
ters, and everybody embarked in the business of 
making a fortune. All prices were inflated. Soon 
the bubble burst and the speculators were left 
without a dollar and with heavy debts hanging 
over them. In the meantime, however, distrust 
of the wildcat bank bills became so general that 
the bills were taken only at a great discount, with 
the intention of passing them off immediately. 
The bills of different banks were taken at a dif- 
ferent rate of discount. Merchants hired boys tu 
luirry off to the banks of issue to exchange the 
bills they took in for bills in which they had more 
confidence. In 1839 it was estimated that there 
were over a million dollars of bills of insolvent 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



607 



banks in the hands of individuals in Michigan. 
The Federal bankrupt law of 1841 permitted the 
speculators and others not speculators but who 
had been caught with bills of insolvent banks, to 
blot out their del)ts and begin once more the sure 
but slow method of building up a fortune by hon- 
est toil. 

Since the days of the wildcat banks, Washtenaw 
has been blessed with banks conductcil on honest 
business principles. It has been many long years 
since there has been a bank failure in Washtenaw 
countv. There are only two national banks in 
the countv which are banks of issue, but the state 
banks as well as the national banks have been 
conservatively managed, have answered all the 
requirements of state inspection and they have 
ofifered safety and security to depositors for many 
years, and in them the people have the greatest 
confidence. This confidence has been the growth 
of years of experience in the freedom from specu- 
lation on the part of the banks. The bank direc- 
tors have been conservative in their action and 
judgment and possess the confidence of the com- 
munity. The amount of deposits in the banks has 
been growing rapidly in recent years and now 
amount to many times the amount lost in the old 
days of wildcat banking speculation. The expe- 
rience of those old days has led to the passage of 
rigid laws for the protection of depositors in 
banks and for the protection of currencv ; and the 
early license may be in some degree responsible 
for the security now possessed bv the people of 
Washtenaw with regard to their banks. The 
various banks of the county are referred to in 
the histories of the different townships in which 
they are situated. Ann Arbor now has four 
banks, with a fifth bank just being organized ; 
Ypsilanti possesses two banks; Chelsea, two; 
Manchester, two; and Dexter, Milan and Saline 
one each. 



CHAPTER YU. 



THE BENCH .\ND B.\R. 



This sketch of the Bench and Bar was written 
by the much lamented ex-Governor Alpheus 
Felch in 1880, and is revised only enough to bring 



it down to date. As Governor Felch was a promi- 
nent member of the Washtenaw bar from 1843 to 
his death in 190 — , and had been acquainted with 
its members before 1843, ^ sketch from his pen 
is of more value than one written to-day would 
be. 

COUNTY COURT. 

The first court established in Washtenaw 
county was that known as the countv court. Its 
first session was held at the house of Erastus 
Priest, in the village of Ann Arbor, the third 
Monday in January, 1827, in conformity to an 
act of the territorial council, establishing the 
time and place for holding court in this county. 
Hon. Samuel W. Dexter, chief justice, and Hon. 
Oliver Whitmore. associate, appeared and con- 
stituted said court. David E. Lord was the clerk. 

The following named answered to the call, and 
were sworn in as the first grand jury in Washte- 
naw county : Thomas Sacrider, Willard Hall, 
Jonathan 'Kirk, John Dix. Jonathan Ely, Josiah 
Rosencrants, Luke H. Whitmore, Henry Kimmel, 
x\nthony Case, C. Osterhout, David Hardy. Isaac 
Hull, Samuel Camp. Alva Brown, Roswell Brit- 
ton, Levi Hiscock, Joseph H. Peck, Andrew Mc- 
Instry, Rufus Pomeroy, Levi B. Pratt, Jason 
Cross, E. W. Rumsey. 

The Records of the clerk of the court state that 
"an appropriate charge was delivered to the jury, 
suitable to the occasion, by the chief justice." 

O. D. Richardson was appointed bv the court 
prosecuting attorney pro tern in the absence of B. 
F. H. Witherell, the regular prosecutor. 

The first business transacted was the applica- 
tion of Nathan Thomas, John Allen and Jason 
Cross, for license to retail "strong or spirituous 
liquors," which ended the proceedings of the 
court for that day. 

On Tuesday morning, on the assembling of 
the court, "Joseph W. Tong, O. D. Richardson 
and B. F. H. Witherell came forward and took 
the oath as attorneys and counsellors-at-law. in 
conformity to the rules of the court." 

The venire issued to the sheriff for a petit jury 
was returned, and the following named persons 
answered to the call : Jonathan Train, Isaac Sines. 
William Eddy, Joseph Mayo, Thomas Chambers, 
Alexander Laverty. George W. .\llen, Eldridge 



6o8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Gee. Isaac Powers, Samuel Higgins, J. W. Bird, 
James Pulling. 

Mr. Witlierell made a motion in favor of the 
admission of Elisha Belcher as an attorney and 
counsellor at this court, and after discussion it 
was decided that he was not eligible. The next 
proceedings are thus recorded by the clerk : 

"John Allen made application through his at- 
torney for license to keep tavern. The court be- 
ing satisfied that said tavern was necessary for 
the accommodation of travelers, ordered a license 
to be issued, Cyrus Beckwith and Martin Davis 
having entered into a recognizance with him. 

"Bv order of the court, Nathan Thomas was 
permitted to receive a tavern license, James Pul- 
ling and Isaac Powers having entered recogni- 
zance with him. 

"Also by order of the court, Benjamin J. 
Woodruff was permitted to receive a tavern li- 
cense, William Eddy and Isaac Sines having en- 
tered into a recognizance with him. 

"The following persons came forward and were 
sworn as witnesses to go before the grand jury: 
Martin Davis, Samuel Camp, David Hardy, Asa 
H. Reading, Samuel Higgins, Elisha Belcher, 
Erastus Priest, William Thrall, H. J. Burnham 
and Enos Ticknor." 

A bill of indictment was found against Erastus 
Priest by the grand jury, for selling liquor in 
less quantities than one quart, without license 
therefor. The indictment was in the name of the 
United States. The court at once proceeded to 
try the case, the regular panel being accepted. 
B. F. H. Witherell appeared for the people and 
O. D. Richardson for the defendant. The fol- 
lowing is the indictment. 

"Michigan Territory, County Court of the County 
of Washtenaw. 

At the January term in the year of our Lord 
one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, 
the Grand Jurors of the United States of Amer- 
ica, enquiring in and for the body of the County 
of Washtenaw, aforesaid, upon their oaths pre- 
sent that Erastus Priest, late of the county of 
Washtenaw, aforesaid, yeoman, on the first day 
of January, in the year of our Lord one thou- 
sand eight hundred and twenty-seven, at Ann 
Arbor, in the County and Territory aforesaid, 



and within the jurisdiction of the County Court 
of the County of Washtenaw, aforesaid, did then 
and there sell for money, rum and wine by less 
quantity than one quart; he, the said Erastus 
Priest, then and there not having a license or 
permit to keep a tavern, against the peace and 
dignity of the United States of America, and 
against the Statute of the Territory of Michigan 
in such cases made and provided. 

B. F. H. Witherell, 

District Attorney." 

Nicholas Mallett, Alva Brown, Samuel Camp, 
Martin Davis, Asa H. Reading, Elisha Belcher 
and Enos Ticknor were witnesses on the part of 
the United States, and David Brown witness for 
defendant. The clerk in his record adds : "The 
case was advocated ably by the respective attor- 
neys. The jury retired about two hours and re- 
turned into court and said severally that the de- 
fendant was not guilty. A motion was made by 
the plaintiff's attornev that the prisoner be dis- 
charged ; accordingly the motion prevailed and he 
was discharged." 

This was the only case tried at this term of 
court. The only other business transacted was 
action on the application of Rev. William Page 
for a license to celebrate the rites of matrimony. 
The court being satisfied the credentials of Mr. 
Page were proper, granted the license. 

CIRCUIT COURT. 

The Circuit Court of the County of Washtenaw 
— a court established by an act of the legislative 
council of the territory, approved April 13, 1827, 
and presided over by one of the judges of the su- 
preme court of the territory, held its first session 
in the county in November, 1829. It was pre- 
sided over by Hon. William Woodbridge. Its 
last session appears by the record to have been 
held in June, 1833. 

By an act of the legislative council, approved 
April 15, 1833, the judges of the supreme court 
were relieved from holding the circuit courts, 
and a circuit judge appointed for that purpose. 
Hon. William A. Fletcher was appointed to this 
office, and held the circuit courts here from 1833 
until the territorial courts Were superseded by 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



609 



the judicial tribunals ors:anized under the State 
Constitution. The same act, however, retained 
the old circuit organization, but changed its name 
to that of the Superior Circuit Court of the Terri- 
tory nf Michigan, and confined its jurisdiction 
mainl\- In the decisions of questions of law. This 
court continued to hold its sessions in this county 
until the territorial government ceased. 

The first court held in the county after the or- 
ganization of the state government, was the cir- 
cuit court for the county of Washtenaw. The 
circuit courts of the several counties in the state 
were, bv statute, required to be held by one of 
the judges of the supreme court of the state, and 
to the circuit embracing Washtenaw, with several 
other counties, Hon. William A. Fletcher, who 
had been appointed chief justice of the supreme 
bench, was assigned as ]iresiding judge. The 
first term of said court commenced here Novem- 
ber 8, 1836, and Judge Fletcher continued to hold 
terms until 1842, when he resigned the office. He 
was succeeded as presiding judge of this court 
by Hon. Alpheus Felch, who held his first term 
in the couiU\" in 1842, and continued to hold the 
terms until his resignation in November, 1845. 

Judge Felch was succeeded by Hon. Warner 
Wing, who was appointed in November, 1845, 
and held the December term of the court in that 
year. Ijut was soon after assigned to another cir- 
cuit, and was succeeded in the Washtenaw cir- 
cuit by Hon. George Miles, who was appointed 
in October, 1846, and held his first term here in 
December, 1846. He held the office until his 
death. He was succeeded by Hon. David John- 
son, of Jackson, who held the courts here, under 
his a]ipointment as judge of the supreme court, 
until the adoption of the new constitution of 1850, 
and the organization of the courts as therein 
provided. 

The judges under the state organization who 
have been named, were all judges of the supreme 
court of the state, but under the provisions of the 
constitution of 1850, and subsequent legislative 
action, the judges of the circuit courts were elec- 
ted in the several counties comprising the circuit 
to act as circuit judges only, and were not mem- 
bers of the supreme court of the state. 

Hon. David Jolinson was the first elected to 



the office, and continued to hold the circuit courts 
for this county until the expiration of his term. 
His successor was Hon. Edwin Lawrence, who 
held the office from 1857 to 1869, when he was 
succeeded by Hon. Samuel Higby. Judge Higby 
held the terms until 1874, when he resigned, and 
Hon. Alexander D. Crane was appointed to fill 
the vacancy. He continued until 1876, when Hon, 
George M. Huntington was elected and served 
until 1882, when Hon. Chauncey Joslyn was 
elected. In 1888 Judge Edward D. Kinne was 
elected judge of the circuit, and has been re- 
elected ever since, his last election, in 1904, being 
by acclamation. 

SUPREME COURT. 

In addition to the courts already named, ses- 
sions of the supreme court were held here annu- 
allv, until the statute requiring it was repealed 
and the sessions discontinued. These terms were 
held by Hon. George Morrell, chief justice, and 
Justices Epaphroditus Ransom, Charles W. 
Whipple and Alpheus Felch. 

CHANCERY COURT. 

An independent court of chancery was estab- 
lished in 1836, and sessions were held in this 
county until the court was discontinued in 1847. 
Hon. Elon Farnsworth was the first cliancellor, 
but resigned in March, 1842, and Hon, Randolph 
Manning was appointed in his place, 

DISTRICT COURT. 

A court denominated the District Court of the 
Count}- of Washtenaw was organized under the 
act of the legislature, and Hon. Benjamin F. H. 
Witherell appointed judge. He held the first 
term of this court in Washtenaw county in April. 
1843, ^"fl the last in March, 1846, when the court 
was discontinued by act of the legislature. 

COUNTY COURTS. 

By an act of the legislature, approved IVfay 18, 
1846, county courts were established in the sev- 
eral counties throughout the state, but the act 



6io 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



was soon afterward repealed. Under this act 
Hon. Charles \A'. Lane was elected county judge 
for Washtenaw eonnt\ . and held the office until 
his death. Hon. Edwin Lawrence was his suc- 
cessor, and held the terms of the court until it 
ceased to exist. 

I'Noi'.A ri'. corkT. 

The pmhale eourl of the emnily of Washtenaw 
has existed from the first organization of the 
county. The judges of prohate who have pre- 
sided in this court are as follows: 

r)ethuel Farrand, first judge of prohate, was 
appointeil in 1827. and held the first term of the 
court April 5th of the same year. 

JauK'S Kingsley, elected in 1S2R and re-elected 
in 1832, serving two terms. 

Robert S. Wilson, elected in 1836. 

George Sedgwick, elected in 1840. 

Samuel P. l'"uller, elected in 1844. Died before 
the expiration of his term. 

Elias M. .Skinner, apjiointed to fill the vacancy 
caused h\ the death of judge Fuller. 

Churehill II. Yixn Cleve, elected in 1S48. 

Chaunccy Josl\n, elected in 1852. 

B. F. Granger, elected in 1856. 

Thomas Ninde, elected in i860. 

PTiram J- P>eakes, elected in 1SC14. and re- 
elected in 1868. 

Noah W. Cheever, elected in 1872. 

William D. Harriman, elected in 1876, and re- 
elected in 1880 and 1884. 

j. Willard Babbitt, elected in t888. and re- 
elected in i8()2. 

FT. Wirt Xewkirk, elected in i8yfi. 

Willis !.. W'atkins, elected in 1900, 

Emery K. Leland. elected in 11)04. 

Till'; 11. \R OK riiK r.\ST. 

The bar of Washtenaw county has ever been a 
subject of pride among her citizens. Some of the 
best legal minds, fairest logicians and finest orators 
of the age have practiced before her courts, many 
of whom have claimed a residence in the county. 
In reviewing the history of the bar it must be 
borne in mind that as the prosperity and well- 
being of e\ery community depends upon the 



wise interpretation, as well as upon the judicious 
framing of its laws, it must follow that a record 
of the lurnihers ol the bar, tn whom these matters 
are generally relegated, must form no unimpor- 
tant chapter in the comity's history, L'pon a few 
principles of natural justice is erecteil the whole 
superstructure of civil law tending to relieve the 
wants and meet the desires of all .alike. Where 
so many interests and eomitii' interests are to 
be protected and adjusted, to the judiciary is pre- 
sented many interesting and complex problems. 
Hut change is cxerywhere imniiiu'iit. The laws 
of yesterda\' do not meet the wants and necessi- 
ties of the people of to-day. for the old relations 
do not exist. New and satisfactory laws must be 
established. The discoveries in the arts and sci- 
ences, the inventions of new contrivances for la- 
bor, the enlargement of industrial imrsuits, and 
the increase and develo])ment of commerce are 
without precedence, and the science of law must 
keep pace with tlieni all; nay, it must even fore- 
east events and so frame its laws as will most ade- 
quately subserve the wants and provide for the 
necessities of the new conditions. Hence the 
lawyer is a man of the day, Tlu- exigencies he 
must meet are those of his own time. His capital 
is his ability and his individuality. He can not 
beiineadi to his succes.sors the characteristics that 
distinguished him, and at his going the very evi- 
dences of his work disappear. In compiling a 
history of the bar one is astonished at the small 
amiitmt of material for a memoir of those who 
ha\T been so intimately connected with and who 
exerted such influence on the country's welfare 
and progress. The peculiarities and personalities, 
which form so pleasing and interesting a jiart of 
the lives of the members of the bar, and which 
constitute the charm of load history, are alto- 
gether wanting. Unlike the fair plaintiff in L>ar- 
dell vs. Pickwick, there has been no painstaking 
sergeant to relate "the facts and circumstances 
of the case," The court records fiu-nish the facts 
of the existence of each individual member of the 
bar, but the circumstances surrounding and giv- 
ing interest to the events of his life and work are 
wanting. 

The great jirnminence occupied in historx' bv 
the li.ar cf Washienaw county is well known and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



6ii 



universally acknowledged. The names of Kings- 
ley, Mundy, Fletcher, Miles, Wilcoxen, Hawkins, 
Skinner. Fields, Danforth, Douglass, Walker, 
Sedgwick and others will always reflect credit 
upon the bar of this c(jimty. 

Elisha Belcher came to the county in 1825, and 
practiced law in its courts for six or seven years, 
when he went further west. He was not consid- 
ered a hrilliant lawyer. He was the first attorney 
in the county. 

James Kingsley came to Ann Arbor in 1826. 
He was a fine speaker, good advocate and an 
honest man. The name of "Honest Jim" was 
worthily bestowed. 

Gideon \N'ilcoxen came from Elbridge, New 
York, in 1827. He was a man of fine presence, 
an honest man. and considered the best attorney 
in the county at an early day. P)efore a jury he 
was almost irresistible. 

Marcus Lane was another attorney of 1827 who 
settled in Ann Arbor, but afterward moved to 
Ypsilanti. Mr. Lane served in the legislature 
and was a member of the convention of assent to 
the new boundary line of the state. 

George W. Jewett was from the state of Ohio, 
and settled in this county in 1829. His practice 
was not very extensive: and as a justice of the 
peace he attained more distinction than as an at- 
torney. He died in 1840. 

Olney Hawkins came to Ann .\rbor in 1832. 
from Detroit, where he studied law with Judge 
Witherell. He was a man of fine legal abilities 
and a man of influence in the community. 

John .Mien studied law with Judge Kings- 
ley and was admitted to the bar in 1832. He is 
well known as the first settler in .'\nn Arbor. 
When the California gold fever broke out, he emi- 
grated to that "land of promise" and there died. 

Calvin .Smith was also a student under Judge 
Kingsley, and was admitted to the bar in 1832. 
After being admitted to the bar he removed to 
Dexter, where he practiced his profession and 
served as justice of the peace. In 1835 he was 
elected a member of the legislature but died be- 
fore taking his seat. 

Elias .M. Skinner was the first attorney in Ypsi- 
lanti. and settled there in 7825. He was a good 
attiirney, an honorable man, and was prosecuting 
attorney some years. He died in Ypsilanti. 



Jonathan E. Fields was from Massachusetts, 
and was a brother of Judge Fields, of the 
L'nited States Supreme Court. He settled in 
.\nn Arbor in 1833, where he practiced his pro- 
fession a few years and then returned to his 
native .state. He was an excellent lawyer. 

Norton R. Ramsdell was a New York man 
who removed to .\nn Arbor in 1835. In his 
native state he was a licensed preacher in the 
Methodist Epi.scopal church, but concluded that 
he was better adaptetl to the law than to the 
ministry, he pursued a course of study, was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and came west to pra':tice. 
He was regarded by his colleagues as well a.s 
the community, as a good lawyer, one who ex- 
celled as an advocate. He died in Ann Arbor. 

Robert S. Wilson came from Allegany county, 
New York, in 1835. He was a man of ability, 
and knew how to influence a jury. He was judge 
of probate in this county one term. In 1855 
he removed to Chicago and afterward served 
many years as one of the police justices of that 
city. He died early in 1883. 

George !Miles was also from Allegany county. 
New York, and came to Ann .Arbor about the 
same time. He was a lawyer of more than 
ordinary ability, well posted in even- department 
of law. and died here in 1850. as one of the 
judges of the supreme court. 

George Sedgwick came to Ann Arbor about 
the year 1835. He was a good lawyer and served 
as judge of probate in this county one term. He 
removed to Chicago in 186 — . and died there 
some years after. 

James M. Walker studied law with Judge 
Miles and was admitted to the bar in 1847. After 
practicing his profession for some years in .'\nn 
Arbor, he removed to Chicago, where he oc- 
cupied a leading position as an attorney. He died 
in January. 1877. 

Samuel T. Douglass was a resident of Ann 
Arbor and a member of the Washtenaw county 
bar two years. Leaving Ann .\rbor, he went to 
Detroit, and has since become one of the most 
noted lawyers in the state. After leaving, he 
often returned to try some important case in the 
courts of the county. 

Justus Goodwin was a lawyer of some merit 
and practiced in the courts of this county at an 



6l2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



early day. He was a member of the legislature 
for one term. 

George Danforth came to Ann Arbor about 
the year 1835. His practice was not very ex- 
tensive, but he was a man full of wit and man- 
aged to keep all about him in good humor. He 
died here about the year 1856. 

Origen Richardson was admitted to the bar 
at Ann Arbor. He removed to an adjoining 
county, but often returned and attended cases in 
the courts of this county. He has been lieutenant- 
governor of the state. 

Among other members of the early bar was 
Sylvester Abel, an excellent man, of fair abili- 
ties as a lawyer, and who was honored with many 
public offices. Richard G. De Puy, a young man 
of good legal ability, an excellent advocate, and 
a loyal man, who gave his life for his country 
in the War of the Rebellion. Daniel S. Twitchell, 
a graduate of the university, and a man of more 
than ordinary ability ; Claudius B. Grant, a highly 
educated man of splendid ability who is now 
justice of the supreme court and who has been 
honored with manv offices: John I. Thompson, 
an ex-postmaster of Ann Arbor, and a success- 
ful attorney of Milwaukee ; Norvill E. Welch, 
A. V. McAlvey, Oliver W. Moore, Richard Bee- 
han, Calvin H. Chase, Caleb Clark, Edwin E. 
Clark, Thomas C. Cutler, Edwin Lawrence, 
Donald Mclntyre, Ezra C. Seaman, John L. 
Tappan, C. H. \'an Cleve, A. D. Stephens, M. D. 
Howard, George M. Danforth, Homer H. Fin- 
ley, William S. Palmer, H. W. Stevenson, John 
N. Jucas, J. M. Martin, John C. Greening, Sibley 
G. Taylor, Edwin Thompson, Edward L. May- 
nard, T. J. McDonnell, Charles D. Coleman, 
Erastus Thatcher, George Cummin, John W. 
Young, L. D. Godfrey, E. P. Pitkin, Robert P. 
Sinclair, B. T. O. Clark, Charles Holmes, Jr., 
Charles M. Woodruff, John Carpenter, P. M. 
Eaton, Seth E. Engle, D. O. Church, George U. 
Skinner, Walter A. Buckbee, Charles W. Lane, 
George Fuller, Thomas H. Marsh, Thomas L. 
Hunphreyville, Edward Mundy, Calvin Town- 
send, Levi Townsend, Isaac A. Holbrook, Julius 
C. Smith, Edward R. Chase, Edward Slawson, 
Grove Spencer, Amos W. Blodgett and Edwin 
F. Uhl. 



THE BAR OF 1880. 

All that has been said of the bar of the past 
can with equal propriety be said of the bar of 
1880. It numbered among its members some 
of the best legal minds in the state, and, as a 
whole, ranked with any county of its size in 
Michigan. The oldest member of the bar in 
this county in 1880 was Elijah W. Morgan, 
who came here in 1829, and was admitted to prac- 
tice in the courts in 1832. Mr. Morgan was 
a well read man, of sound judgment, and was 
authority in all cases affecting the title to lands. 
He always gave some attention to the real-estate 
business. The following were the names of the 
attorneys doing business in the county in 1880, 
together with their place of residence : 

Anil Arbor. — Hiram J. Beakes, John L. Bur- 
leigh, Byron W. Cheever, Noah W. Cheever, 
Charles D. Coleman, D. Cramer, Mr. Corbin, 
Frank Emerick. R. E. Frazer, Eugene K. Frue- 
auff, Mary E. Foster, Alpheus Felch, James B. 
Gott, John N. Gott, Bradley F. Granger, William 
D. Plarriman, Henry R. Hill, Zina P. King, Ed- 
ward D. Kinne, A. W. Hamilton, Joel W. Hamil- 
ton, Edwin Lawrence, J. F. Lawrence, Patrick 
]\IcKernan, A. McReynolds, James McMahon, 
Elijah W. Morgan, James H. Morris, O. L. 
Matthews, Frederick Pistorius, Tracy W. Root, 
A. J. Sawyer, J. C. Knowlton, John O. A. Ses- 
sions, L. F. Wade, Henrv C. Waldron, E. B. 
Gidley. 

Ypsihmti.—E. P. Allen, J. W. Babbitt, D. C. 
Grift'en, Albert Crane. S. M. McCutcheon, D. B. 
Greene, Franklin Hinckley, Fred A. Hunt, C. 
Joslyn. C. R. Whitman, Thomas Ninde, Howard 
Stephenson, Clarence Tinker. 

Clidsca. — William E. Depew, David B. Taylor, 
George W. Turnbull, Michael Lehman. 

Dexter. — Alexander D. Crane, James T. 
Honey, James S. Gorman. 

Manchester. — A. E. Hewett, .\. F. Freeman, 
Ezra B. Norris. 

Saline. — William B. Gildart, Frank E. Jones. 

THE isAR OF 1905. 
.hni Arbor. — Jolm W. Bennett, S. W. Beakes, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



613 



Philip Blum. Thomas Bogle, .Vrthur Brown, W. 
H. Butler, Martin J. Cavanaugh, William G. 
Doty, John L. Duffy, Eugene K. Frueauff, An- 
drew E. Gibson, William D. Harriman, H. H. 
Herbst, Frank E. Jones, T. D. Kearney, Zina P. 
King, Edward D. Kinne, Jerome C. Knowlton, 
John F. Lawrence, J. C. Lewis, Glen V. Mills, 
W. H. Murray, E. D. Norris, H. W. Newkirk, 
Frederick Pistorius, W. S. Rainey, Andrew J. 
Sawyer, Andrew J. Sawyer, Jr., J. O. A. Ses- 
sions, F. A. Stivers, C. T. Storm, G. W. Sam- 
ple, B. M. Thompson, W. W. Wedemeyer, Mrs. 
Mary Collins Whiting, Charles A. Ward. 

Chelsea. — James S. Gorman, John Kalmbach, 
Bert B. Turnbull. A. ^^'. Wilkinson, and H. D. 
Witherell. 

Dexter. — James T. Honey. 

Maiieliester. — A. F. Freeman, F. M. Freeman, 
A. J. Waters. 

Milan. — George S. Wright and John F. 
Herley. 

Ypsilaiiti. — E. P. Allen, John W. Brening, Lee 
N. Brown, Darwin C. Griffin, William B. Hatch, 
Frank Joslyn, John P. Kirk, William S. Putnam, 
Tracy L. Towner, Joseph W. Webb. 



CHAPTER YIU. 



Tin-: W.\SHTEXAW COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 

The following history of the Washtenaw 
County Medical Society was read before that 
society in 1903 by Dr. William F. Breakey : 

"The present society had its inception in a 
•call for a meeting of the physicians of Ann Arbor 
and Ypsilanti, issued about the middle of June, 
1866, which meeting was held in Ann Arbor the 
June 27th following, at which time this society 
was organized, or, perhaps, I should better sav 
re-organized, as this was not the first medical 
organization in the county. Indeed Washtenaw 
was the first county in the state to establish a 
■county medical society. The territorial society 
organized in 1819 had the authority conferred 
by the territorial government to grant and re- 
voke licenses to practice medicine, and to deter- 



mine the qualifications of candidates for practice, 
and also fitness of medical students to enter upon 
the study of medicine. The territorial society 
likewise granted to licensed physicians in any 
county, on application, the right to form a local 
society. 'Thus — June 12, 1827, — permission was 
granted Doctors Cyril Nichols, Rufus Pomeroy, 
William Kittredge and Daniel Low to form a 
Washtenaw county medical society.' 

"I have an old time-worn folio paper given me 
after graduation in 1859 by Dr. Denton, who held 
the chair of theory and practice of medicine and 
pathology in the university from 1850 to i860. 
It is entitled : 'Aledical Ethics Compiled and 
Abridged by the Ann Arbor Association of Physi- 
cians from the Code Adopted by the National 
Medical Convention in 1847, Philadelphia.' 

■'The circular is made up of abstracts and quo- 
tations from the code of ethics, followed by a 
''Tariff of Pecuniary Acknowledgments" adopted 
by the association. This pa]ier bears no date but 
it evidently was published between 1847 and 
1851, as an item in the tariff' reads: "Visits in the 
county after dark, or in the village after bed- 
time, double." Ann Arbor ceased being a village 
and became — by incorporation — a city in 1851. 

"Just when this association was organized, or 
whether by the doctors authorized in 1827, I am 
unable to learn, nor when it died or the causes 
which led to its untimely end. I have been un- 
able to find any record of its transactions. Its 
purpose to maintain rational medicine and ethic 
principles, and to require some entrance qualifica- 
tions of medical students, is evident in the paper 
quoted. It is a fair inference that it left some 
latent seed which germinated in the conception 
of the present society. 

"The constitution of the existing society says : 

"Article II. — The objects of this society shall 
be the advancement of professional character and 
medical knowledge, and the elevation of and 
encouragement of zeal, emulation and friendly 
intercourse among the members of the profession. 

"Article IV. — It shall be considered a derelic- 
tion of dut\- for any meml^er of this society to 
admit into his office, as a student of medicine, 
any person who shall not first present a certificate 
of qualification as provided in .\rticle VI. 



6i4 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



"Article IX.— The Code of Medical Ethics of 
the American ]\[edical Association shall be 
adopted by the society. 

"Two classes of members were provided for — 
active and honorary. Among its charter mem- 
bers were Dr. Alonzo Palmer (its first presi- 
dent), Dr. Abram Sager, Dr. Albert B. Prescott, 
Dr. Henry S. Cheever, Dr. William Lewitt and 
Dr. William F. Breakey, of Ann Arbor ; and 
Dr. Francis M. Oakley. Dr. Edward Batwell and 
Dr. John W. Babbitt, of Ypsilanti. These were 
followed within a year liv many others. In its 
list of members was to be found the name of 
nearly every regular and reputable physician in 
the county, and of many of those within con- 
tiguous counties, while its honorary members 
included many prominent physicians and sur- 
geons. 

"The meetings of the society were held quar- 
terly. No departure from this plan was formally 
authorized, but when Dr. Gibbs was president 
monthly meetings were held. The original plan 
was to hold two meetings in Ann Arbor — usuallv 
the winter and spring meetings — a June meeting 
in Ypsilanti and a fall meeting in some other part 
of the county. The society aimed to enlist the 
interest of all its members, particularlv to bring 
into active relations and within reach of its in- 
fluence, all practitioners of medicine. 

"The proceedings of its meetings while formal 
were very democratic. All were doctors. No 
distinction existed other than is always spontan- 
eously accorded to merit. The humblest, young- 
est and most modest were made to feel at home in 
the society, and encouraged to contribute to its 
work and welfare. The reading of several short 
papers rather than long essays was encouraged, 
thus giving opportunity to more of its members 
to contribute to the interests of the meetings. 
Numerous reports were made of cases in prac- 
tice, with brief discussions in which all were in- 
vited to participate. Among the important sub- 
jects discussed by the society in its early years 
was that of criminal abortion. The action of the 
society, formulated in a resolution prepared bv 
Dr. Sager, was referred to the state society with 
the recommendation that that body present it to 
the state legislature, and this expression was the 



means of securing immediate legislation. That 
the society had the courage of its convictions was 
shown by the fact that one of its members, 
against whom charges were being prepared, with- 
drew before they could be preferred, thus saving 
the member's expulsion. He moved from the 
county but was subsequently repeatedly arrested, 
charged with the same crime, and though he 
several times escaped conviction, he finally served 
a term in the state prison for causing death by 
criminal abortion. 

"The societ}- secured the analysis of numerous 
much advertised proprietary medicines, and ex- 
posed their worthlessness. In this creditable 
work Dr. Silas H. Douglass, Dr. .Albert B. Pres- 
cott and Dr. Preston B. Rose were chiefly active. 
Various scientific investigations — physiologic, 
pathologic, pharmacologic and therapeutic — were 
undertaken and many valuable papers and im- 
portant contributions to medical literature of the 
time were presented. Among them, as samples,' 
and quoting from memory, were "Diseases of the 
Cord and Placenta ;" "Case of Simultaneous In- 
tra and Extrauterine Pregnancy;" "Opthalmia 
Neoratorium ;" "Case of Delivery by Ceaserean 
Section" — one he found the first reported in the 
state, by Dr. .A-bram Sager, papers on "Consump- 
tion," "Climate," "Paralysis," and others by Dr. 
Alonzo B. Palmer, and papers of much interest 
then on the climatology of New Mexico, Colorado 
and tile higher altitudes of the Rocky Mountain 
range in that latitude, also in North Carolina, 
with discriminative observations of the class of 
cases benefited, and the need for care in gradual 
elevations by Dr. Henry S. Cheever, studied when 
trying to arrest his own tulierculosis disease, 
which proved fatal. Dr. Oaklev and Dr. Batwell 
contrilmted many interesting and valuable papers, 
practical and helpful to physicians, and both in- 
genious in mechanical devices fur surgical ap- 
pliances, a qualification of much value at that 
time when instrument makers were not as nu- 
merous and near as now. Papers and addresses 
were also giyen by Doctors William Warren 
Greene, .^Iphcns Crosby, Samuel G. Armor, 
Frothingham, MacLean, Sewell, Howell, Abel, 
Dunster and others. 

"But valuable as were these contributions of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



615 



investigation and practice, the\- were hardly more 
establislinient of a territoral road to leave the 
beneficial to members of the society than was the 
social commingling and the opportunities to know 
and appreciate the individual characteristics of 
fellow practitioners and to observe that in sup- 
porting a brother physician in proper conduct 
tliey were supporting the profession of medicine 
as a whole and tending to maintain that high 
professional esprit de corps essential to the suc- 
cess of organized efifort. 

"The more recent work and contributions of 
living members the limits of this paper do not 
aflford space to even mention by title. It is no 
disparagement to any that may be overlooked. 
\'aluable work has been done under the presi- 
dencies in successive order of Doctors Georg, 
Darling. Gibbs, \^aughan, Carrow, Dock, Novy, 
Hubcr. \\'arthin and Peterson. 

"Among the practical things accomplished in 
the direction of securing better fees for public 
service was the adoption of a schedule of fees by 
the board of supervisors of 1874 for post-mortem 
examinations and for coroner's inquests (ex- 
cluding chemical analysis for poisons). A com- 
mittee of the society, consisting of Dr. Webb, 
Dr. John Knajip and your historian, went before 
the board representing the importance of careful 
findings, the responsibilitv attached to such ex- 
aminations, and testimony involving interests of 
property, personal liberty and life, in addition to 
risks of infection of operators, and presented a 
schedule of fees. The fees adopted by the board 
were fair and reasonable for the time, ranging 
from $5 for ordinary inspection of cadaver with 
reference to testifying as to cause of death; $10 
each for section of thorax or abdomen and ex- 
amination of their viscera; $15 for section of 
skull and examination of brain ; $20 for ex- 
amination of any two of these cavities ; and $25 
for all of them. These fee bills for ordinar\- 
local inquests were quite generally kept in dif- 
ferent parts of Michigan and other states, but, 
unfortunately, after a few years boards of super- 
visors — whose rules are not like the rules of the 
INIedes and the Persian.s — declined to be boimd 
by the rules of their official predecessors, and 
the\- claimed as a reason for not adherintr to this 



schedule of fees that in so many cases the doctors 
found it necessary to examine the contents of the 
chest, abdomen and skull, and did not always find 
the cause of death then, but charged the whole 
schedule of fees. It is not improbable that there 
was some ground for the action of the board. 

"The society has had various stages of pros- 
perity and adversity — of enterprising zeal, and 
decline of energy. Some earnest differences arose 
that divided its members in positive opposition 
at the time and enlisted the sympathies of the 
profession at large and furnished the laity op- 
portunity to ask : 'Who shall decide when doctors 
disagree?' Time has removed most of the actors 
in the little drama, and in the dim retrospect the 
remembrance seems almost amusing in the side- 
lights cast during the lapse of more than a quar- 
ter of a century. 

"No history of the society would be complete 
without mention of the break in its ranks on the 
introduction of homeopathy into the university. 
As it divided the faculty of the department of 
medicine and surgery and the members of the 
state society, it is not strange that the subject 
should have aroused as great interest in the home 
society as it did in the profession of the state 
and throughout the country. The secession of 
members of the faculty and the formation by 
them of the Ann Arlior Academy of Medicine 
followed. The academy was denied representa- 
tion in the meetings of the American Medical 
Association at Buffalo the following year, 
through a protest from this society. Later the 
faculty was glad to make use of the attitude of 
this society, supported by the state medical so- 
ciety, to induce the regents to relieve the de- 
partment of medicine of many of the most ob- 
noxious features of the relations at first es- 
tablished. The contention led to better feeling at 
the time, members on both sides no doubt failing 
to apprehend the real positinn of those differ- 
ing, and each claiming to be actuated by the 
highest regard for the good of the profession and 
the university. I-ike the shield in the fable the 
situation had two sides. Fortunately, members 
of the society were too wise not to recognize es- 
tal)lished facts and too sensible to permit such a 
situation to destroy the usefulness of the society. 



6i6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



and the controversy has long since been a closed 
incident. 

"Many of its members have served their com- 
munities in public office with fidelity and credit. 
Doctors Webb. Ewing and Howell represented 
their districts and the county in the state legis- 
lature, while others have rendered services on 
the boards of education and public health. 
Doctors Batwell, Breakey, Cheever, Dunster, 
Ewing, Garigues, MacLean, Oakley, Owen, Pal- 
mer, Prescott, Rose and Smith served in the 
Civil war from 1861 to 1865, and Doctors Bourns, 
Owen, Nancrede and Vaughan in the war with 
Spain. 

"Its roll of honor of those who have answered 
the last call and paid the debt of nature grows 
larger year by year. Naming them from mem- 
ory, but not in the order of their departure, I 
place in this memorial record Doctors Armor, 
Ashley, Babbitt, Batwell, Benn, Bigelow, Chee- 
ver. Crosby, Chamberlain, Douglass, Downer, 
Dunster, Ewing, Fairchild, Frothingham, Gari- 
gues, Gates, Greene, Halleck, E. Hall, Daniel 
Hall, Hawxhurst, Helber, Howell, Kinne, 
Lewitt, Lyster, Loomis, Oakley, Palmer, Post, 
Rexford, Root, Sager, W. B. Smith. Elias Smith, 
Van Tyne, V^oorhies, Wells, Webb and Zimmer- 
man. Tliere may be others who have been over- 
looked in the preparation of this history. 

"It is an honor to have known them and to have 
been associated with them in professional work. 
Of the charter members I believe onlv Dr. Pres- 
cott* and myself survive. The story was told of 
Thaddeus Stevens when so old and helpless that 
he had to be carried up the steps of the capitol 
to his seat in congress, that he asked the two 
vigorous young men who bore him : "Boys, I 
wonder who will carry me up when you are 
•dead?" I trust Dr. Prescott will continue in 
faithful service for many years yet, and while I 
do not attempt much sprinting on foot or desire 
service on .standing committees, I hope to be able 
to share in the history the societv will continue 
to make, as long as possible ; so 



■"When I remember all the friends so long to- 



I've seen around me fall like leaves in wintry 

weather, 
I (do not) feel like one who treads alone some 

banquet hall deserted. 
Whose lights are fled, whose garlands dead, 

and all but him departed,' 

for I renew my mouth and keep in touch with the 
profession in the presence of these zealous 
younger doctors, the intention of whose young 
professional blood is to keep up the circulation 
of the societ\- till the\'. in turn, give it over, 
healthy and prosperous, to their successors. Its 
purjioses are large — to do good for the profes- 
sion, for its members and for the public. A 
society no more than an individual can not always 
secure immediate results of its labors. But its 
iileas. its hopes and its facts of scientific demon- 
stration can be recorded. It can enter its pro- 
tests against vice, error and quackery, and some- 
time, sooner or later, achieve success." 
* Dr. Prescott died February 25, 1905. 



CH.\PTER IX. 



THE PRES.S. 



jetlier. 



Six years after the first settlement was made in 
Washtenaw county a weekly paper was started 
at .\nn .^rbor, and unlike most first ventures this 
pioneer paper continued to live for a number of 
years, although at various times its name was 
changed from the Western Emigrant to the 
Michigan Whig, and from the Michigan Whig 
to the State Journal, and from the State Journal 
to the Michigan State Journal ; and it continued 
in existence until during the Civil war. For six 
years this paper had the field in this section to 
itself, and it was conducted with considerable 
ability, with a great deal of acrimony and with ex- 
ceedingly small attention to local news. A glance 
at old newspaper files will show that the local 
papers of the early part of the last century were 
conducted on very different lines from the local 
papers of to-day. Politics, of course, furnished 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



6i: 



the principal part of the topics for discussion, and 
practically all the local news contained was reports 
of conventions, and, as a rule, the name of every 
delesrate present was published. .\ hii;' tire destroy- 
ing a large portion of the town might he dismissed 
with three lines, when a town caucus was worth 
a column. A fire hundreds of miles away was 
worth much more from a news point of view 
than a fire at home. It was apparently assumed 
that everybody knew what was going on at home, 
and what they desired in their papers was in- 
formation of what was going on abroad. When 
a president's message was issued a whole paper 
might be given up to its publication, the paper 
containing not a line of type excepting the ad- 
vertisements and the message. As far as a lo- 
cality was concerned, a paper published hun- 
dreds of miles away ought to have proven as 
interesting as papers published at home. Local 
news found in these newspapers is usually found 
in the shape of letters sent by some traveler who 
has visited the village and written his friends, 
who have forwarded the letter to the paper for 
publication. The local paper of seventy-five years 
ago used the shears constantly, and most of its 
contents were previously published in eastern 
papers. But its editorial columns were strictly 
original and its comments were usually caustic. 
No term was too opprobrious to be applied to a 
political opponent. No virtue could be discerned 
among the politicians of opposing parties. No 
mugwumps were tolerated in those days. As 
soon as one campaign closed the editor was pre- 
paring for the next. It usually took him weeks 
and even months to get in the election returns 
from all over the country, and you would hear 
months after the presidential election how some 
little town hundreds of miles away, casting two 
or three hundred votes, had gone at the election. 
Items of news which, if they had happened in the 
county, would have been dismissed absolutely, 
were given with considerable attention to detail 
if found in eastern newspapers. But, while the 
east set the fashion for news, it hardly did for 
politics. This was the editor's own. The speeches 
of his favorite orators in congress would be given 
in full, and pages would be published concerning 
the doings of congress even when unimportant 



matters were up for discussion. The early editor 
had a hard time of it. He did not expect cash 
for subscriptions. He expected anything that he 
could get. He liked potatoes, and took them 
when he could get them. He had no lack of 
cordwood, and occasionally when he could bor- 
row a horse he would drive out into the country 
on a collecting tour, taking what farm produce he 
could pick up in return for subscription to his 
paper. In the villages often the editor would de- 
liver his own papers, carrying them from house to 
house in person ; and yet he was usually looked 
upon as an important man in his community and 
his editorial expressions had more weight than 
the editorial expressions of to-day. Usually all 
public meetings, when some question of common 
interest was up for discussion, saw to it that the 
editor was on the committee that had in charge 
the settlement of the question involved. The editor 
never got rich, but somehow he managed to ex- 
ist, and as a rule he died in harness, not leaving 
the editorial chair for some more remunerative 
pursuit. It was these old time editors who 
gave rise to the opinion so long held that editors 
had no business ability, but it was these same old 
time editors who did much to build up American 
character and to foster the love of freedom, who 
stood up for the public schools when public 
schools were young, and who, while they did not 
enrich themselves, aided materially in laying the 
foundations of the fortunes of others. The old 
time editor was a printer. His sharpest editorials 
were composed at the case, and it was the type 
and not the pen that was used in preparing the 
philippics which studded the editorial column. 

THE WESTERN EMIGRANT. 

The first number of the Western Emigrant, the 
first paper published in Washtenaw county, was 
dated at Ann Arbor, October i8, 1829. Its sub- 
scription price was three dollars a year and its 
published advertising price was $1.25 per square 
for the first insertion and 25 cents for subsequent 
insertions. It said, "Country produce taken in 
payment for the Emigrant, if delivered." This 
paper was issued by Thomas Simpson. Very 
little is known about this pioneer editor, and 



6i8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



for only five weeks did he continue in charge of 
the Emigrant. The first number of the paper 
contained as its first article the Declaration of 
Independence. Articles on hemp and tobacco 
completed the first page. There was not a line 
of local news in the paper unless a letter should 
be called such, written by a Canadian traveler 
and giving a description of Washtenaw county. 
Its first editorial starts out with the assertion, 
"It shall be the constant aim of the editor to pro- 
mote correct principles and exhibit impartial in- 
formation relative to the merits and qualifica- 
tions of candidates for office." Further than this 
he promises to treat of foreign wars and legis- 
lative acts. This editorial indicates the field oc- 
cupied by the papers of that period. Jwdge Sam- 
uel \\'. Dexter, even before the publication of the 
first nuruber of the first paper in Washtenaw, ad- 
dressed a letter to the editor to find out how the 
paper stood on Freemasonry ; and the editor re- 
plied that his paper was open to an investigation 
of both Freemasonry and Antimasonry. This 
ma\- account for the fact that Judge Dexter 
bought the paper after five weeks of publication, 
and then there was no doubt as to where the 
paper stood on the Masonic question. Other ar- 
ticles in this first number were of a moral and re- 
ligious nature, such as "Entrance Upon the 
World," "To the Young Husband," "Choice of 
a Wife," "Hatred Reproved," etc. The adver- 
tisements, however, are of the greatest interest 
as indicating the condition of the village at that 
period. L. Hawley, Nash & Co. advertised that 
their distillery would be in operation December 
I, 1829. Two weeks later, it may be stated here, 
the ownership of this distillery was changed to 
Samuel Camp and L. Hawley. A select school 
for young gentlemen and young ladies is adver- 
tised by T. W. Merrill, A. M., late instructor in 
Academical and Theological Institute, N. Hamp- 
ton, N. H.. and Moses Merrill, late teacher in a 
select school, Albany, New York. "Reading, 
spelling, mental arithmetic, modern geography 
and English grammar are taught for two dollars 
and a half a quarter: including writing, practical 
arithmetic, ancient geography, history, philoso- 
phy, chemistry, logic, astronomy, the higher 
branches of mathematics, composition and decla- 



mation for three dollars ; and including Latin 
and Greek for four dollars and a half. Board 
may be obtained for one dollar a week." Castle 
Southerland advertised a new gunsmith's factory. 
John Allen & Co., on the corner of Main and 
Huron streets, advertised a new general store, 
and concluded with asserting that thev pay the 
highest price for hides, beeswax and tallow. E. 
Clark advertised for a boy of fifteen or si.xteen to 
serve in a store : and Israel Branch advertised 
apple trees for sale. In the second number of the 
Emigrant, .\. & D. B. Brown advertised new 
goods received from Xew York ; and G. & C. 
Prusica advertised their tannery. 

On December 22, 1820^, Thomas Simps(in pub- 
lished his valedictory, saying that the paper in 
the future would be under the direction of John 
.Vllen and Samuel W. De.xter. Accordingly, on 
December 30th. the paper appeared with a strong 
-\ntimasonic salutatory. That its troubles began 
early is shown by the following squib : "We 
would inform our antimasonic friends, and from 
the present mutilated appearance of our 
subscription list we doubt having many oth- 
ers, that we have many interesting matters 
to present them." On January 20th the 
Emigrant states that eighty of its sub- 
scribers had withdrawn, and makes the fol- 
lowing touching reference to themi: "With many 
who have withdrawn their names from this paper 
we were on most friendly terms. They were our 
neighbors, a few of them have borne with us the 
heat and burden of the day in the first settlement 
of our county. In our wanderings through the 
then wilderness the same butifalo robe has been 
our bed, the same blanket our covering." But 
the Emigrant continued to pour hot shot into the 
Masonic camp. In January of 1831 John Allen 
retired from the ownership of the Emigrant, 
which was then published by Samuel Dexter, 
with Allen, Dexter and Corselius as editors. 
George Corselius was the real editor, that is to 
say, he did most of the writing, and De.xter, of 
course, insisted on the constant promulgation 
of his Antimasonic notions. Before the end of 
the year John Allen retired from all connection 
with the paper, and a short time afterward George 
Corselius became publisher as well as editor. He 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



619 



changed the name to the Michigan Emigrant and 
advocated whig principles ; and on December 4, 
1834, again changed the name to the Michigan 
Whig. This change in ownership from Mr. 
Dexter to Mr. CorseHus seems, however, to have 
been more nominal than real, for while Corselius 
claimed in the paper to be its sole owner, the 
Antimasonic principles on which the paper was 
founded having become unpopular, when the 
change of name from the Michigan Emigrant to 
the Michigan Whig was made in the absence of 
Mr. Dexter, on that gentleman's return he em- 
phatically dissented from the change of name in 
an editorial signed by his own name; and, as a 
sort of a compromise, the words "Washtenaw 
Democrat"' were added, the paper becoming the 
"Michigan Whig and Washtenaw Democrat." On 
September 3, 1835, Mr. Corselius sold the Whig 
and Democrat to George W. Wood & Co., who 
changed its name to the State Journal. 

THE STATE JOURN.\L. 

In a salutatory the new editor of the State 
Journal savs : "The political character of the 
State Journal shall be truly republican. It will 
maintain the rights of the states on the one hand, 
and the integrity of the Union on the other, by 
seeking to confine both parties to their respective 
sphere of action. Our humble friends shall at 
times be exhorted in the cause of equal rights, 
of civil and political liberty, of true republican 
principles, and of the constitution, in opposition 
to the ultra doctrines, new fangled theories and 
novel interpretations of the new school democrats 
who now occupy the chief place in the syna- 
gogue." After about eight weeks George W. 
Wood became the sole owner of the paper and in 
April, 1836, it was purchased by Dr. F. Drake, 
who ran it for a year. In March, 1837. Edwin 
Lawrence became its editor and publisher, and 
proposed to make the paper politically independ- 
ent. He proved to be an able editor, and in May, 
1839. sold the paper to Franklin Sawyer, Jr., 
who changed its name to the Michigan State 
Journal, and advocated the election of Harrison 
to the presidency. Mr. Sawyer sold out to T. M. 
Ladd. but continued to be the editor tnitil 1841, 



when he was made state superintendent of public 
instruction. In March, 1842, Edwin Lawrence 
again became editor, and in February, 1844, 
George Corselius was editor. The paper was 
now sold to L. C. Goodale and S. B. McCracken, 
and ^Ir. McCracken disposed of his interest in 
1846 to 'Sir. Goodale. 

THE .\NN ARBOR ARGUS. 

The second paper to Ik- published in Washte- 
naw county was the paper now known as the .Vnn 
.\rbor .Argus. Its original name was the Michi- 
gan Argus and its first number was issued on 
February 5. 1835. It was a little more than half 
as large as it is now. The first publisher was 
E. P. Gardner, a man of ability, and who, while 
he used a caustic pen, was less liable to villify 
his political opponents than most of the editors 
of that day. His paper was started as an organ 
of democracy, and for more than seventy years 
of its life it has continued to be such an organ. 
In 1840 a stock company purchased the .\rgus 
and put it in charge of Orrin .\rnold. Shortly 
afterward it was Arnold and Powell, and then, 
in six months, Arnold and Smith. Then its name 
was changed to the Free Democrat. This change 
was displeasing to the original proprietors, who 
were also displeased with the principles advo- 
cated by the Free Democrat, the party about this 
time having split on matters of state issue ; and 
Cole and Gardner started a new paper in 1844, 
which they called the Michigan Argus. This 
paper was afterward united with the Free Demo- 
crat under the ownership of Cole & Gardner. The 
split in the democratic party growing out of what 
was called judicial reform, which sought to set 
aside the circuit courts, became so intense that 
the subscription list of the -\rgus at one time 
dropped to fifty subscribers: but the paper con- 
tinued stanchly to express its disapproval of the 
.so-called reform, which led about eighty demo- 
crats in the village to march up to the polls and 
vote against Governor Felch, who was then a 
resident of the village and running on the demo- 
cratic ticket. The .\rgus survived judicial re- 
form, and in July, 1854, Cole & Gardner sold out 
to Elihu B. Pond, who continued sole editor and 



620 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



proprietor until December, 1878. Mr. Pond made 
the paper one of the leading papers in the state. 
He was born in Wilmington, New York, July 
15, 1826, and came to Michigan in 1835 with his 
parents; and before liis connection with the Ar- 
gus published a paper in Coldwater. He was a 
member of the Ann Arbor school board for many 
years, was state senator, county clerk, warden of 
the Jackson prison, and in his later years justice 
of the peace, one of the most painstaking and 
careful justices ever in Michigan. He was the 
first president of the Michigan Press Associa- 
tion and was a warm friend of the university, 
giving much of his time to the advancement of 
its interests. In December, 1878, John N. Bailey 
of New York became proprietor of the Argais, 
which he sold in June, 1886, to Samuel W. 
Beakes. The latter sold a half interest to E. J. 
Morton in October, 1886, and the old Washing- 
ton hand press on which the paper had hitherto 
been published gave way to a modern newspaper 
equipment, and the paper moved from the third 
story to the ground floor. On Mr. Morton's re- 
tirement on account of ill health, the firm became 
Beakes & Curtis, and shortly afterward, in 1894, 
Beakes & Hammond. D. A. Hammond, who thus 
came into Washtenaw journalism had been super- 
intendent of the Charlotte schools and was at 
this time a member of the state board of educa- 
tion. For a couple of years Mr. Hammond leased 
his interest to Thomas W. Mingay, the paper be- 
ing run by Beakes & Mingay. In October, 1898, 
the Argus was united with the Ann Arbor Demo- 
crat, then published by Charles A. Ward, under 
the name of the Ann Arbor Argus-Democrat, 
a corporation being formed with S. W. Beakes, 
D. A. Hammond and Charles A. Ward as incor- 
porators. 

In November, 1898, the first number of the 
Ann Arbor Daily Argus was issued. For the 
first few months it was a six column folio, and 
later, when an Ypsilanti edition called the Ypsi- 
lanti Daily Argus was started, it became a six 
column quarto. In February, 1899, Mr. Ward 
sold his stock to Eugene K. FrueaufT, who, in 
April, 1900, sold to Hugh Brown. In April, 
1900, the papers and plant were leased to the Ann 
Arbor Printing Company for two years. In Feb- 



ruary, 1902, this lease was surrendered and the 
publication of the papers continued by the Demo- 
crat Publishing Company, whose stockholders 
were Messrs. Beakes, Hammond and Brown. In 
October, IQ05, Mr. Beakes sold his interest to 
Hugh Brown, who now became president of the 
company with D. A. Hammond as secretary- 
treasurer. In January, 1906, Hugh Brown pur- 
chased the interest of Mr. Hammond. The com- 
pany publishes the Ann Arbor Daily .\rgus, the 
.Vnn Arbor Argus-Democrat and the Ypsilanti 
Sentinel-Commercial, the two Ypsilanti papers 
having been purchased and combined. 

.\NN ."XREOR COURIER. 

The .\nn Arbor Courier was originally called 
the Peninsular Courier and was started on June 
18, 1861. by C. G. Clark and W. D. Woolsey, as 
a Union republican paper. In December, 1861. 
David C. Holmes became a partner, the firm name, 
being Clark, Woolsey & Co., and the paper was 
consolidated with the Ypsilanti Herald under the 
name of the Peninsular Courier and Ypsilanti 
Herald, the latter part of the name being dropped 
after two months. Mr. Woolsey and Mr. Holmes 
entered the army and Mr. Clark became sole 
proprietor, selling the paper in 1865 to Dr. A. W. 
Chase, who changed its name in 1866 to Penin- 
sular Courier and Family Visitant. Dr. Chase 
devoted much of his attention to his celebrated 
receipt book which attained world-wide fame and 
had an immense circulation, and with it he built 
up a large printing plant which he sold Septem- 
ber 3, 1869, to Rice A. Beal, of Dexter, whose 
business energies soon made the Courier known 
throughout the state, and who pushed the sale 
of Chase's receipt books until the profits on their 
sales reached seventy-five thousand dollars a 
year. Mr. Beal was one of the leading repub- 
liom politicians of the state and came near being 
nominated for governor. He was a maker of 
governors, senators and congressmen. Upon his 
death in 188 — , the paper became the property of 
his son, Junius E. Beal, who continued its owner 
until he sold out to the Ann Arbor Printing Com- 
pany, which formed a combination of all the 
papers in Ann x\rbor. J. E. Beal had purchased 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



621 



the Ann Arbor Register, uniting it with the Cou- 
rier under the name of the Ann Arbor Courier- 
Register. On tlie faihire of the Ann Arbor Print- 
ing Company in .April, 1902, the pnl)lication of 
the Ann Arbor Courier-Register and the Washte- 
naw Times, the Courier-Register being a weekly, 
and the Times a daily, was continued by Charles 
Johnson, receiver, who placed Otto Hans in 

charge. The Kinne Paper Company in 

1903, sold the paper to the Ann Arbor Times 
Company, with R. L. Warren, editor and Man- 
ager, and its publication still continues as the 
weekly of the .\nn .\rbor Daily Times. 

ANN ARDOR REGISTER. 

The .\nn .\rbor Printing and Publishing Com- 
pany was organized in 1872 with Alvin W. Chase 
president and superintendent, James C. Watson 
vice president, Zina P. King, secretary, Henry 
S. Dean, treasurer, and Sedgwick Dean and 
Henry Krause the other directors. This com- 
pany, in December, 1872, started the publication 
of the Ann Arbor Register, with Zina P. King 
managing and local editor, and Edwin Lawrence 
f)olitical editor. The paper was republican in 
politics and was started in opposition to Rice A. 
Beal, the editor of the Courier. Dr. Chase, who 
had sold the Courier to Mr. Beal, was the first 
manager of the new publishing company and is- 
sued "Dr. Chase's Second Receipt P>ook." Mr. 
Beal soon sought to enjoin the publication of 
this receipt book as well as the publication of the 
paper, and for a time its publication was stopped. 
Dr. Chase disposed of his stock, and Henry S. 
Dean was made president and manager, until he 
sold out in August, 1880. He was succeeded by 
B. J. Conrad as superintendent, with H. B. My- 
rick as editor. About 1S82 the paper was sold 
to Dr. George E. Frothinghaiu. who, not get- 
ting wealthy by its publication, the Courier and 
the Register being all this time in a deadly com- 
bat, disposed of it to Kendall Kittredge, an ex- 
cellent newspaper man from Eaton Rapids. Mr. 
Kittredge soon took into partnership on the news- 
paper S. A. Moran, under the firm name of Kit- 
tredge & Moran, and upon Mr. Kittredge's death 
S. A. ]\[oran succeeded to the ownership of the 
37 ■ '■ 



paper, which he continued until in 1899 he sold 
it to Junius E. Beal, who united it with the 
Courier under the name of Courier-Register. 

LC)C.\L NEWS AND ADX'ERTISER. 

.\ number of papers by the name of "News" 
have been at various times started in Ann Arbor. 
The Local News and .Advertiser was first issued 
July 21. 1857, by S. B. McCracken. It was inde- 
pendent in politics, but on the 25th of August, 
1858, it was purchased by Lorenzo Davis, who 
made it a republican paper. In January, 1859, 
the nanie was changed to .\nn .\rbor Local News, 
and in August of that year E. .\. Burlingame 
was associated with Mr. Davis and the name 
again changed, this time to Michigan State News. 
It was forced to suspend publication in 1863. 

ANN ARBOR DEMOCR.\T. 

The .\nn Arbor Democrat was first issued Sep- 
tember 12, 1878, by John L. Burleigh and was, 
as its name indicated, a democratic paper. 
Colonel Burleigh was a politician of some promi- 
nence who, at one time, represented this district 
in the state legislature. Later he moved from 
the county, and the last heard of him he was an 
ialderman in Brooklyn, New York. In January, 
1879. B- Frank Bower and Louis J. Lesimer 
united with Colonel Burleigh in the publication 
of the paper. In November of that year Mr. 
Lesimer retired from the firm and Mr. B. Frank 
Bower's interest was purchased by his brother, 
Henry E. H. Bower. Henry E. H. Bower was a 
bright newspaper man with a fearless pen 
and a penchant for short items. From 
the time that he became connected with the Dem- 
ocrat he was in fact the Democrat. Colonel Bur- 
leigh moved from .Ann Arbor about 1880 and 
l\Ir. Bower conducted the paper alone until his 
sudden death in 188 — . He was succeeded on 
the paper by his sister. Emma E. Bower, who 
proved that a woman could run a local news- 
paper as successfully as a man could. Miss 
Bower continued to conduct the paper until after 
her election as great record keeper of the 
Ladies of the Maccabees. For a .short time, dur- 



622 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



ing the somewhat numerous changes in owner- 
ship which followed Miss Bower's sale of the 
paper, the paper became an advocate of repub- 
lican principles, but this was soon remedied, so 
far as its subscribers were concerned, by the 
ownership of Charles A. Ward, the paper becom- 
ing more strongl_y democratic tliah ever. Mr. 
Ward, after about two years of ownership, dur- 
ing which it was organized into a stock company 
with nearly all the stock under his own control, 
united the paper with the Ann Arbor Argus, in 
October, 1898; and soon thereafter sold out his 
interest in the combination. He was. at the time, 
state senator from this district, and was the man 
who secured the passage of the one-quarter of a 
mill university tax. 

\VASHTEN.-\W POST. 

The Washtenaw Post was the first German 
paper to be published in Washtenaw county, and 
was started by Louis J. Lesimer in October, 
1879. It proved a great success from the start 
and was ably edited by I\Ir. Lesimer's wife, a 
very talented woman. Upon Mr. Lesimer's 
death in 189 — . Mrs. Lesimer continued the pub- 
lication for some time with Herman Hartwig 
Dancer, a graduate of a German university, as 
editor. About 1892 a second German paper was 
established by Paul G. Sukey, called the Haus- 
freund. Mr. Sukey was a graduate of several 
German universities, a gentleman's son without 
the slightest idea of the value of money. He was 
a talented writer and the rivalry between him and 
Mr. Lesimer became very bitter. Finally Mr. 
Sukey purchased the Washtenaw Post and united 
it with the Hausfreund under the name of the 
Hausfreund and Post. In 1895 Mr. Lesimer be- 
came sole owner of the Hausfreund and Post. 
Then Lesimer and Paul succeeded to the owner- 
ship, and within a short time thereafter Alfred J. 
Paul became the sole owner. The paper again 
came into the hands of Mr. Lesimer, who finally 
sold it to Eugene J. Helber, who tmited it with 
the Neue Washtenaw Post under the name of 
Washtenaw Post, the original name of the first 
German paper in the county. Mr. Helber had 
started the Nene Washtenaw Post about 1894 in 



bitter opposition to the Hausfreund and Post pub- 
lished by Mr. Sukey, and had finally attained a 
larger circulation for his paper than any other 
German paper had hitherto had in the county. 
His paper, most of the time, was a strong advo- 
cate of the republican part)^, although Mr. Hel- 
ber had originally been a democrat. He became 
one of the most earnest workers in the republican 
party. The Washtenaw Post still continues un- 
der his editorship. 

ANN ARBOR DAILY NEWS. 

The first issue of the Ann Arbor Daily News 
was on November 23, 1879, and the proprietors 
who attempted to educate the people of Ann Ar- 
bor into taking a local daily were Henry W. 
Rouscup and Gustave A. Tanner, two young 
men from Ohio. This paper was a five column 
folio and its local news articles were somewhat 
of a sensational character, so much so that at one 
time the paper was in serious danger of being 
mobbed by the students of the university. After 
a brief period Rouscup and Tanner sought new 
fields and the daily passed through numerous 
hands until it died under the administration of 
G. W. Halford, after less than three years of 
existence. 

EARLIER DAILY P.APERS. 

Numerous attempts at starting daily papers had 
been made in Washtenaw county. At one time 
the Michigan Argus issued a small daily, about 
1840. After a brief period a small morning daily 
called the Morning Chronicle was issued. In the 
later seventies Francis Stoefflet issued a four col- 
umn daily, called the Daily Times, with a circula- 
tion of four hundred. Various other unsuccess- 
ful attempts at starting daily papers have been 
made at various times. The competition of the 
Detroit papers, which have always maintained ex- 
perienced correspondents in Ann Arbor, has been 
such, combined with the light advertising pat- 
ronage, as to make daily paper ventures unprofit- 
able. 

ANN ARBOR DAILY TIMES. 

The first successful attempt at starting a daily 
paper in Ann Arbor was the Ann Arbor Daily 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



623 



Times, wliich was established in 1890. 
The money for this paper was put up by Henry 
W. Glover, of Ypsilanti, a capitalist who was the 
principal owner of the new motor line which 
had been established between Ypsilanti and Ann 
Arbor, and the Times was intended to represent 
both cities. The editor and business manager 
was Fred C. Brown, who was one of the most 
versatile writers ever connected with Ann Arbor 
journalism. It was well for the Times that Mr. 
Glover was a man of means for, although an px- 
cellent local paper was published from the start, 
it took time and a large expenditure of money to 
place it upon its feet. In fact Mr. Glover's news- 
paper experience is said to have cost him twenty- 
five thousand dollars and it is not believed that 
Mr. Glover ever wrote an article for his paper; 
but it was not due to any desire to push any per- 
sonal object upon the public that he engaged in 
the newspaper business. In fact Mr. Glover's 
furnishing of funds for the continuation of a 
daily paper in Ann Arbor partook more of the 
nature of philanthropy or public spiritedness, and 
it was only through the course of education in 
the taking of local dailies made possible by Mr. 
Glover continually coming to the rescue of the 
paper financially, that daily papers have become 
firmly established in the county of Washtenaw. 
Mr. Brown, the first business manager and editor, 
was a man fertile in schemes. He finallv started a 
Merganthaler job printing plant in Chicago, and 
for a time had a monopoly of linotvpe work in 
that city. In the year 1898, during Mr. Brown's 
absence in Chicago, the paper was run by Thomas 
IMingay. Then Mr. Glover, who had practically 
been the sole owner, gave a half interest to Louis 
J. Lesimer, who became the editor and manager 
of the Times. In 1900 the Times was sold to J. 
E. Beal and Hugh Brown, who immediately sold 
it to the Ann .\rbor Printing Company, which 
controlled all the English papers in Ann Arbor. 
The Times, which had previously been issued as 
an evening paper, was made the morning paper 
of the combination. It remained as it had from 
the beginning, republican in politics. When the 
.\nn Arbor Printing Company passed into the 
hands of a receiver the Times was changed back 
to an evening paper and was placed under the 



management of Otto Hans. In a short time it, 
together with the Courier-Register as its weekly 
issue, was purchased by the Kinne Paper Com- 
pany of Detroit. In 1903 the Kinne Paper Com- 
pany sold their papers to the Ann Arbor Times 
Company, the principal owner of which was Rob- 
ert L. Warren, who has since remained the sole 
editor and manager of the Times. Under Mr. 
Warren's management the Times has largely in- 
creased in circulation and influence in the county, 
and has greatly improved typographically and 
editorially. At various times the paper has been 
called the Washtenaw Times and the Ann Arbor 
Daily Times, the changes in name having been 
occasioned, however, merely bv the fancies of 
its proprietors and not by any change in its poli- 
cies. It has remained from the beginning stead- 
fastly republican in politics, and it now continues 
in its sixteenth year of its publication, the oldest 
daily in the countv. 

WASHTENAW REPUBLICAN. 

The Washtenaw Republican was started as a 
weekly paper by Alvick A. Pearson in 1900. Mr. 
Pearson, after running the paper for a couple of 
years, sold it to Horatio J. Abbott, who changed 
its politics from republican to democratic. Then 
Louis J. Lesimer purchased it and for a time it 
carried all the probate printing of the county. 
Its name was changed to the Washtenaw Union 
Record, and Mr. Lesimer parted with the owner- 
ship to Charles F. Gee, who sold it to Charles 
Walter. Before this it had lost the monopoly of 
the probate printing and it has recently suspended 
publication. 

WASHTENAW DAILY NEWS. 

The Washtenaw Daily News is a new publica- 
tion just started at Ann Arbor. Its first issue 
was on December 15, 1905. It is published by a 
corporation whose stockholders are Glen C. Stim- 
son. Grant Stimson and W. W. Wedemeyer. It 
is republican in politics and has invested a large 
sum of money in equipment. It represents the 
interests of State Treasurer Frank P. Glazier, 
of Chelsea. W. W. Wedemeyer is president of 
the company, and Glen C. Stimson is editor and 



624 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



manager. The paper is a large seven column 
quarto. 

DEFUNCT PAPERS. 

At various times a large number of papers 
have been started in Ann Arbor which existed 
for but short periods. The fifth ward, or that 
part of the city north of the Huron river, which 
had not become a ])art of the city until some 
years after .Ann .Vrlior was incorporated 
as a city, was the scene of the publica- 
tion of a number of these papers. Among 
them was "The Signal of Liberty,'' an anti-slavery 
paper published by Rev. Air. Guy Beck- 
ley and a Air. Foster; "The Gem of Science," pub- 
lished weekly by Sanford & Sanford; "The Prim- 
itive Expounder and Universalist Semi-AIonth- 
ly," published b\- Thornton and P)illings ; "The 
Alphadelphic Tocsin" ; "The Spy" : "The Native 
American"; "The A'oung Yankee"; "The Cor- 
rector" : and last but not least, "The B'Hoy's 
Eagle." the fame <if whose satire still lives. 

UNIVER.SITV 1>UBLIC.\TI0NS. 

The first college paper published in Ann Ar- 
bor is still in existence. It was started as the U. 
of AT. Independent but shortly became the U. of 
AI. Daily, which name it bore during the greater 
part of its existence, and was finally changed into 
its present name, the Alichigan Dailv. The 
Daih^ was originally started to represent the in- 
dependent sentiment in the university as opposed 
to the fraternities, but shortly dropped the anti- 
fraternit_y sentiment which had caused its organ- 
ization and became the paper of all students alike 
in the university. 

The Daily was originally planned as a weekly 
to take the place of the "Argonaut" which had 
been consolidated with the "Chronicle." The 
"Chronicle" had always been the fraternity organ 
of the students and had been published semi- 
monthly. Upon the determination of the "Chron- 
icle" to issue weekly, the board of the Independ- 
ent as the proposed new weekly was to be known, 
determined suddenly to issue a dailv, beginning at 
the opening of the college year in October. 1890, 
and the first issue of the new college daily was 



published at that time and the Chronicle-Argo- 
naut ceased publication. This is the first and only 
daily that the students in the university have ever 
had, and it was a success from its inception, hav- 
ing been published with a profit from its first 
year. The paper at first was published by a 
board, which after the first year was elected by 
the subscrilxTS of the paper. Finally the board 
was incorporated and recently it has been taken 
under faculty supervision. 

About the same time that the U. of AI. Daily 
started, the Inlander, a monthly publication by 
the students, was launched and is still published. 
The Alichigan Alumnus is published by the 
.\lunnii .Association monthlv. 

OTHER PUBLIC.VTIONS. 

The Physician and Surgeon's Medical Journal, 
under the associated editorship of a number of 
members of the university medical faculty, has 
long been published in Ann Arbor by John W. 
•Keating, and has a national circulation. 

The Alichigan Counselor, a homeopathic medi- 
cal journal, was for a time published in Ann 
Arbor under the editorship of the homeopathic 
faculty of the university, but it was finally united 
with other homeopathic journals and its publica- 
tion removed from Ann Arbor. 

The Lady Alaccabees, the organ of the Ladies 
of the Alaccabees of Alichigan, has been published 
in Ann Arbor by Great Record Keeper Emma E. 
Bower for a number of years and has one of the 
largest circulations of any publication in the 
state. It is devoted to the promotion of the prin- 
ciples of the insurance order whose organ it is, 
and is sent to each member of the order. 



YPSILANTI PAPERS. 

yPSILANTI SENTINEL. 

The Ypsilanti Sentinel is the oldest paper of 
continuous publication in Ypsilanti. It is, how- 
ever, not the first paper that was started in Ypsi- 
lanti. The Ypsilanti Republican has that honor 
and was published for a little over a year by a 
young man named Wallace, in 1837 and 1838. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



625 



In 1844 the Vpsilanti Sentinel was started under 
the editorship of John Van Fossen in the inter- 
ests of Henry Clay, the whi.sr candidate for presi- 
dent. Amontr others who were interested in the 
publication were I. M. Edmunds. Arden H. P>al- 
lard and M. Towne. After the defeat of Clay, 
the paper sus])ended and the owners, who were 
desirous that a paper should be published in Ypsi- 
lanti, otifered the use of its office to Charles 
Woodruff on condition that he would publish a 
paper. This he did for three years wdien, becom- 
ing- dissatisfied because the office was not refitted 
with material, he abandoned it, and Aaron Guest, 
of New York, with the Sentinel material pub- 
lished a paper called the Ypsilanti Chronicle for 
a vear. Then the material was purchased by 
Charles Wo<5druff, who revived the Ypsilanti 
Sentinel which has since been continuously pub- 
lished. 'Mr. Woodruff continued its publication 
until his death in 1S9 — , when his son. Alarcus 
Tullius \\'oodrufl:' continued its publication. 
Charles Woodruff was one of the old-time editors 
whose writing's meant something', who had opin- 
ions on topics of general interest, and who knew 
how to express those opinions. He was not a 
gatherer of local news and the Sentinel under 
his control never became the chronicler of all the 
local happenings and visitings. It always, how- 
ever, expressed firm convictions on all local as well 
as national ([uestions which came up for consider- 
ation. Mr. Woodruff' probably used the most 
vigorous English of any editorial writer in ^lichi- 
gan of his day. He was a classical scholar of no 
mean attainments. He was a firm friend of edu- 
cation and did much to advance the educational 
interests of Ypsilanti. His paper during his 
management was a stanch supporter of demo- 
cratic principles, and since his death it has con- 
tinued democratic. Al. T. \\'oodruft' sold the pa- 
per about eight years ago to a ?ifr. Francis, who 
published it for a short time when he attempted 
to start a daily edition, the expense of which, 
after a month, caused him to abandon the ofifice, 
which was sold under a foreclosure sale to the 
Democrat Publishing Companv of Ann .\rbor. 
publishers of the Daily Argus, who continued the 
publication of the Sentinel as a weekly and in a 
short time united it with its rival, tlie Ypsilanti 



Commercial, under the name of the Ypsilanti 
Sentinel-Commercial, under which name the pa- 
per is still published. 

YPSILAXXr COM MERCIAL. 

The Ypsilanti Commercial was founded on 
A larch I. 1864, as a republican paper, and was the 
first paper in Alichigan to denounce Andrew 
Jackson as a traitor to the republican party. The 
Commercial at first was called the Ypsilanti True 
Democrat which was quickly changed by Mr. C. 
P. Patterson, who founded the paper, to Ypsi- 
lanti Commercial. The office at which it was pub- 
lished had been used in the publication of a news- 
paper known as the Ypsilanti Herald, which had 
been established in 1858 by Norris & Follett and 
purchased in July, i860, by James McCrackcn, 
and shortly afterward sold to Captain Woolsey 
who carried on the publication of the Herald 
until some time in 1861. The material of the 
Herald constituted the material with which the 
Herald was first issued. Mr. Patterson, who is 
still living, at present in Florida, was a man with 
the courage of his convictions. Alany a battle 
royal was fought out by him and Editor Wood- 
ruff" in the columns of their respective papers. 
He was fortv vears old at the tinie he established 
the Commercial. He was a good business man, 
and while a good republican was not always in 
accord with the party leaders. He was a leader 
ill the temperance reforni movement which swept 
over Ypsilanti in 1872 and 1873. Eventually he 
took his paper froiu the ranks of republican 
papers. Previous to starting the Commercial. 
Mr. Patterson, after graduating from the Uni- 
versitv of ]\Iichigan, had graduated from a theo- 
logical seminary and acted as pastor of churches 
in Pontiac and Grass Lake. He retired froni his 
editorial labors in 188 — . selling the paper to the 
Coe brothers, who inimediately devoted more 
space to purely local news items and less to 
editorial opinions. They, in turn, sold the office 
to Harold Sayles, an evangelist, and in time the 
office came under the ownership of G. M. JNIonroe 
who, in 1901. started a daily paper called the 
Ypsilanti Daily Commercial. A few months' 
jiublication of this daily iiroved so costly that Mr. 



626 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Monroe gave up the publication of the paper, first 
ceasino; the pubUcation of the daily, which passed 
into the control of the Democrat Publishing Com- 
pany of Ann Arbor, who united it with the Senti- 
nel under the name of the Ypsilanti Sentinel- 
Commercial. Thus the two old papers of Ypsi- 
lanti. which were rivals for so many years, are 
now published as one. 

THE YPSIT.ANTIAN. 

The Ypsilantian was started as an independent 
paper in January, 1880, by Marcus Tullius 
Woodruff, who had been educated in the office 
of his father in tlie Ypsilanti Sentinel. It at once 
assumed the lead among the Ypsilanti weeklies 
in the giving of items of local news, those little 
happenings which go to make up the ordinary 
life of a community, and was really the first of 
the modern style of papers in Ypsilanti, the Senti- 
nel and the Commercial at that time adhering to 
the old-fashioned editorial style as molders of 
public opinion instead of chroniclers of local hap- 
penings. After a few years Mr. Woodruff sold 
his paper to George F. Smith and Perry F. Pow- 
ers, who made a great weekly out of the Ypsi- 
lantian. Mr. Powers sold his interest to Wil- 
liam M. Osband who eventually purchased the 
interest of his partner, Mr. Smith. Mr. Osband 
still continues to publish the paper which remains, 
as it has been since its purchase from Mr. Wood- 
ruff, a stanch advocate of republican principles. 
Mr. Osband is assisted in the conduct of the 
paper by his talented daughter, Miss IMarna Os- 
band. 

VPSTLANTI PRESS. 

The Ypsilanti Press is a daily paper started in 
1904. by a stock company composed prin- 
cipally of the business men of Ypsilanti un- 
der the management of Frank Coddrington who 
resigned the state editorship of the Detroit Free 
Press to become the principal stockholder in the 
Ypsilanti Press Company. The Press from its 
inception has been an excellent local paper and 
has had a more generous share of advertising 
patronage than was given to most of its prede- 
cessors in the newspaper field in Ypsilanti. Mr. 



Coddrington still manages the paper and it seems 
to have become a fixture in Ypsilanti journalism. 

THE IlEXTER LEADER. 

In 1868 Norman E. Allen published a paper 
at Dexter called the Dexter Piulletin semi-occa- 
sionally. This awakened a feeling in Dexter that 
the town needed a regular newspaper and S. C. 
Alley furnished the capital for one being started, 
and on January 28, 1869, the first number of the 
Dexter Leader was issued, with Alley & Wick- 
mire as publishers. In May, 1869, Mr. Wick- 
mire retired and in the following September Mr. 
Alley .sold the paper to Archibald McMillan, who 
afterward became a well known newspaper pub- 
lisher at Bay City. In September, 1876, the 
Leader was sold to Orville E. Hoyt who, in May, 
1880, sold it to Rev. David Edgar. It was soon 
purchased by Mr. Allen, who. in 1890, sold out 
to John M. Thompson, the present proprietor, ' 
who had a few months previously started a rival 
paper in Dexter which he united with the Leader 
on purchasing the latter, retaining the name Dex- 
ter Leader. Mr. Thompson had published a 
paper in Alpena and 's a good newspaper man. 

CHELSEA HERALD, 

The Chelsea Herald was originally the Grass 
Lake Reporter, a paper which had been published 
by Andrew Allison in Grass Lake from 1867 to 
September, 1871, when the office was moved to 
Chelsea and the Chelsea Herald was started. Mr. 
Allison continued to run the Chelsea Herald, ex- 
cept for brief periods when it was published by 
the Rev. Thomas Holmes and Air. Emmons, un- 
til 1898 when the paper was sold to Thomas Min- 
gay who continued its publication until the close 
of T()05. when it was purchased by and united 
with the Chelsea Standard under the name of the 
Chelsea Standard-Herald. 

THE CHELSEA STANDARD. 

The Chelsea Standard is one of the largest and 
most pretentious papers of Washtenaw county. 
It has been published since the '8o's under the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



627 



ownership of the Rev. Thomas Holmes and after- 
ward of O. T. Hoover, at present postmaster of 
Chelsea and who ran it for a number of years in 
an able manner, and Glen Stimson, who pur- 
chased it in 1902. It has recently acquired the 
Chelsea Herald, and from its office is now issued 
the Chelsea Standard-Herald. It has an excel- 
lent circulation and is a newsy paper. 

THE MANCHESTER ENTERPRISE. 

The ]\[anchester Enterprise is at present the 
oldest paper in Washtenaw under a continuous 
management. It was started in October, 1867, 
by George A. Spafford who was aided in its es- 
tablishment by Wat D. Blosser. Mr. Blosser 
purchased the Enterprise in 1868 and has con- 
tinued its sole editor and proprietor from that 
time to this day. The Enterprise has been Mr. 
Blosser's life work, and it has ever been an inde- 
pendent paper which has well represented the 
community in which it is published. It has been 
a good proposition for a good business man and 
Mr. Blosser has built up a better newspaper 
property than is ordinarily found in villages of 
the size of Manchester. 

SALINE OBSERVER. 

The first paper started in the village of Saline 
was called the Saline Review and it was estab- 
lished by David Sherwood in 1872. After pub- 
lishing it in Saline for a year and a half Mr. 
Sherwood moved the office to Plymouth. In 
1875 ^ second paper in Saline was established by 
W. W. Secord but this venture lived for only a 
year. It was called the Saline Oracle. On De- 
cenilier 1. 1870. Louis J. Lesimer started the Sa- 
line Standard, which, in January, 1879, was 
merged into the Ann Arbor Democrat. The 
fourth paper to be started in Saline, and the only 
one that lived, was the Saline Observer, which 
was started in November, 1880. b\- Lcbaron & 
Company, publishers, and George Nisely, editor. 
Mr. Nisely soon became the publisher as well as 
the editor. He was a newspaper writer who filled 
the Observer with a greater number of local 
items than any other village paper in Washtenaw. 
In 1888 the paper was purchased by Andrew J. 



Warren who still continues its publication, and 
never in its history was it a better newspaper 
proposition than it is to-day. 

MILAN LEADER. 

The Milan Leader was started in 1881 by A. B. 
Smith and A. E. Putnam. After a few months 
Mr. Smith acquired Mr. Putnam's interest and 
continued to make an excellent paper of the 
Leader for seventeen years. During this time 
he purchased the Milan Journal which had been 
run for about a year by George W. Burnham, and 
consolidated it with the Leader. In 1898 Mr. 
Houseman purchased the Leader and made a 
model paper out of it until he sold it in Septem- 
ber, 1905, to Frank L. Gates. All the owners of 
the Leader have been good newspaper men and 
the Leader has been a paying newspaper property. 

Today in Washtenaw county the newspaper 
field is occupied by the Ann Arbor Daily Times, 
the Ann Arbor Daily Argus, the Washtenaw 
News and the Michigan Daily, at .\nn Arbor, 
and the Ypsilanti Press at Ypsilanti. These are 
daily papers, the Michigan Daily, however, not 
being a general newspaper but simply a student 
publication devoted to college news exclusively. 
The weekly papers of the county today are the 
Ann Arbor Argus-Deniocrat, the Ann Arbor 
Courier-Register, and the Washtenaw Post at 
Ann Arbor ; the Ypsilantian and the Ypsilanti 
Sentinel-Commercial, at Ypsilanti ; the Manches- 
ter Enterprise ; the Chelsea Standard-Herald ; 
the Saline Observer ; the Dexter Leader ; and the 
^lilan Leader. These papers cover the field in 
Washtenaw as well as any county in the state is 
covered by its local papers. Never in the history 
of the county has there been a time when the 
news has been more carefully gathered and 
printed than it is today, and the historian of the 
future will have less trouble in arriving at the 
daily life of the community in the future than in 
the past. 



CHAPTER X. 

rOWEK DE\'ELOPME.N'T OF TUI". TIURON RI\'ER. 

A history of the development of power on the 
LIuron river is a historv of the industrial de- 



628 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



velopment of Wasliteiiaw county. The Huron 
was first utilized for sawmills, and a number of 
these mills were erected at Ypsilanti, Geddes and 
other points on the river. Almost at the same 
time small grist-mills were erected on the banks 
of the river, although for the first year or two 
of the earlv settlement the pioneers were obliged 
to .go to Detroit, then a journey of several days, 
to have their grist ground. Following the 
grist-mills came the more pretentious flouring 
mills, woolen mills, carding mills — all small in 
size and giving employment to but few people. 
As the county grew older and became one of 
the greatest wdieat-growing counties in the na- 
tion — in fact, one year leading every other 
county in the United States in the amount of 
wheat ]iroduced — the flouring mills were pros- 
perous and ran full time, and many men be- 
came well-to-do in operating them. F)Ut with the 
opening up of the wheat fields in the far west- 
ern states and the coming in of machinery which 
made it possible to cultivate fields thousands 
of acres in extent, and with the cheapening of 
transportation w'hich brought this machine 
grown wheat from land of small value per acre 
but extremely productive, wheat-raising became 
less and less profitable in Washtenaw, and the 
decadence of the flouring mills set in. To some 
extent their place was taken by paper mills and 
pulp factories, but the quantity of material for 
wood pulp was limited, and today there is no 
pulp factory in existence on the Huron river. 
Were it not for the development of electricity, 
the value of the water power of the Huron river 
would have diminished greatly in the ]5ast few 
vears. The wheat now raised in the county is 
not sufficient to supply at all times the flouring 
mills of Ann Arbor alone. While flouring mills 
still flourish to some extent on the Huron river, 
thcv are not nearly as numerous as formerly. 
The development of electricity has made the 
water power of the river extremely valuable. 
Formerly the power had to be utilized on the 
spot. Now it can be transmitted long distances 
from the source of production ; can be utilized in 
running electric roads, for mamifacturing power 
for lighting cities, and is as useful away from 
the river bed as it is upon its very banks. Hence 



it is that today a scheme of river development 
is in progress, having for its object the raising 
of the headwaters of the river and the location 
of numerous large and high dams at convenient 
distances along the river, making immense res- 
ervoirs of water, all to be utilized by one com- 
pany for the production of power, immensely 
greater in amount than has ever yet been pro- 
duced by the river. This scheme is at the date 
of this writing, in progress of being carried 
through, and it has caused an increase in the 
value of the river for many purposes. In the 
future the river is to furnish not only power for 
flom-ing mills, carding mills, or saw-mills, but 
also for every other kind of manufacturing in- 
dustry. If the development of the river is fully 
carried out on the lines jilanned. power can be 
furnished to manufacturing industries at a cost 
which will make Washtenaw attractive to those 
factories wdiere the cost of power is a large ele- 
ment in the cost of production. It will make 
Washtenaw dependent for its industries not 
upon those whose productions are for mere local 
use, as was the case in its early history, but upon 
all the divers kinds of manufactures for general 
use. It is not too much to say that the develop- 
ment of this power, as planned, will make manu- 
facturing centers of Ann Arl.ior. Ypsilanti and 
the vicinity. 

The Huron river proved a great attraction for 
the first settlers of Washtenaw. It was really 
the thing that brought hope to them within the 
confines of the county. Its beauty proved ex- 
tremely attractive to all the land prospectors who 
were looking over Michigan, and all the early 
letters sent back east from this section are full 
of glowing eulogies of the beauty of the Huron. 
P)Ut the prospectors were an eminently practical 
people, and what appealed to them as strongly 
as the beauty was its utilit\- for milling pur- 
poses. In several letters which we have examined 
it has been pronounced liy the early prospectors 
as undoubtedly the best mill stream in the state 
of Michigan. One writer in 1829 says: "The 
Huron is very crooked, and with little exceptions 
is a continueil rajiids throughout the county, and 
there is every reason to believe that this comity 
will ere long be an extensive manufacturing dis- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



62c) 



trict."' The Huron, its beauty, and its advan- 
tages, had much to do with Washtenaw being- more 
rapidly settled than the other counties of Michi- 
gan. Within the past year there has been a re- 
turning realization, not only of the great beauty 
of the river itself, but of its possibilities for 
manufacturing. Plans are being now worked out 
for preserving and enhancing the great natural 
beauty of the river, and for the laying out of 
drives and walks to make it easier to witness its 
beauties. These plans are working side by side 
with the plans for flour development, and to 
some extent are dependent upon them. 

The scheme, however, for deepening the 
waters of the Huron by means of large dams, 
and especially by damming the numerous lakes 
which form the headwaters of the river, and 
thus increasing the waters contained in these 
great reservoirs, so that the manufacture of 
power on the river can continue in all sizes, is 
not absolutely a new one. When it was broached 
before, however, it came not as a scheme for the 
increased development of power so much as a 
plan for making the Huron river navigable. The 
early settlers, as soon as they had got sufficient 
land under cultivation, to much more than supply 
the community, wanted a market for their sur- 
plus produce, but the cost of transportation upon 
what is now the ^Michigan Central. l)Ut which 
was then a road owned and operated by the 
state, was so great that the profits of the farmer 
on his surplus wheat were dissipated in getting 
it to market. Water appealed to him as the 
cheapest mode of transportation. The terri- 
torial legislature, before 1833, passed an act re- 
quiring that after a certain date all dam owners 
on the Huron river should construct locks for 
the ])urpose of enabling boats to ])ass up and 
down the stream. The ne.xt year the time for 
the construction of these locks was put off for 
one year more, but we have vet to learn of an\- 
such lock ever having been constructed. 

In 1845 the people of the count\', aroused bv 
the high rales on the Central railroad, began 
looking for a cheaper outlet to the lakes. W'he'it 
was selling for 10 cents more a bushel at Mon- 
roe than it was at .\im .-Vrbor or Yiisilanti. fi)r 
the reason that the ]\Ionroe buvers were able to 



get their produce to Detroit, then the shipping 
port for Michigan, at a much less rate than the 
railroad would give. The consequence of this 
was that farmers within five miles of the city of 
Ann Arbor took their wheat in the fall of 1845 
to the city of Monroe with ox teams. Monroe 
was the market for the entire southern part of 
the county. In .\ugust. 1845, a public meeting 
was held in Ypsilanti for the purpose of con- 
sidering what improvements, if any, could be 
made in the Huron river. A report was read 
setting forth the advantages and the feasibility 
of constructing a slack water navigation on the 
Huron. The demand for justice in freight rates 
on the Michigan Central, then owned by the 
state of Michigan, was allowed. It cost 25 cents to 
transport a barrel of flour froiu .\nn .\rbor to 
Detroit, 37 miles, while a barrel of flour could 
be transported from .Albany to Boston, 218 
miles, fiir the same money. .\t this meeting a 
committee consisting of W. A. Buckbee, J- M. 
Edmunds and John \'an Fossen was appointed 
to survev and take levels of the Huron river be- 
tween Ypsilanti and Flat Rock, and to estimate 
the expenses of making slack water navigation 
between these points. This committee reported 
at a meeting held in the latter part of September. 
They found the fall in the river from Ypsilanti 
to Flat Rock, a distance of 30 miles, to be 102 
feet and 6 inches. The channel of the river, they 
said, was uniform in width, varying at a trifle 
over 100 feet. The banks were high and ranged 
from 4 to 8 feet above low water mark. The 
committee recommended the improvement of the 
river bv means of dams and locks so as to form 
slack water to be not less than 4 feet deep on any 
part of the line. 

The report of the committee will prove ot 
considerable interest within the next few years, 
when the plans which are now sought to be 
carried out become ojierative. Hence, it will 
bear transcribing to our pages. The greater 
part of the report was as follows : 

'AMth the iudicious location of dams, little 
or no land would be overflowed, and but in 
one or two instances would any injury be sus- 
tained bv owners of land along the line in con- 
sequence of raising the water to the required 



630 PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 

height, and in these instances the whole area of cent per annum is $5,180; the repairs, attend- 
land injured could not exceed 125 acres. With a ing locks and superintending generally may be 
single exception, the people along the line are estimated at $5,000, making the sum of $10,180, 
highly favorable to the project and will render which amount must be realized as the gross in- 
all the aid in their power by surrendering right- come of the work in order to make the invest- 
of-way, and in several instances proffers of tim- ment a profitable one for capitalists. 
bar, without charge for constructing dams, were "To ascertain whether this sum can be an- 
made, and in two instances an offer to surrender nually collected in the way of tolls it will be 
such water power as might be created, and it necessary to estimate from the best data at hand 
is believed by the undersigned that a free grant the amount of business that would be done upon 
of water power may be obtained in several in- the work when completed. 

stances : the individuals justly conceiving that the "For this purpose the undersigned have 

increased value of their property consequent thought it proper tu divide the country to be 

upon the improvement will more than counter- affected by this improvement into two sections, 

balance the value of the privileges surrendered, as follows: 

which, without such improvement, would be en- "First: From Gibraltar to Rawsonville, a dis- 

tirely valueless. tance of 24 miles, extending 40 miles each way 

"To overcome the fall of 102 feet 6.9 from the river, making 480 square miles of ter- 

inches would require 16 locks having ritory. Second : From Rawsonville back in the 

an average lift of 6 feet each, which interior 20 miles, that is 15 miles beyond the 

as per estimate marked (A) would termination of this place, 75 miles each way 

cost each $1,500 $24,000 from the river, and a section of country 30 miles 

"To get sufficient depth over reefs and by 20, equal to 600 square miles. 

shallow places 13 dams would be re- "Of these two sections of country we can say 

quired from 3 to 6 feet in height, to that they are unsurpassed in point of fertility, 

cost as per estimate (B) each, $1,000. . 13,000 all things considered, by any other territory of 

"For the purpose of shortening the dis- equal extent in the western territory. 

tance by cutting off bends and for lo- "The first described portion of this territory 

eating around dams, about three miles is thinly populated and could not therefore be 

of excavating could be made with ad- expected to furnish at first a large amount of 

vantage, to cost as per estimate (C) . . . 7,000 agricultural products for exportation, or to im- 

"To clear the river of flatweed, stone, port a very large amount of the products of 

etc., as per statement (D), per mile, other states or countries; but the improvement 

$100 3,800 of this section is already fairly commenced. It 

"Making four bridges over cuts, as per is covered with an immense growth of valuable 

statement fE), each, $300 1,200 timber which, with the opening of this new, 

convenient and cheaper mode of transportation, 

"Total cost of construction $49,000 and the employment of the immense water 

"To this sum of $49,000 add the estimated power that would be created along the line, must 

cost of completing the Gibraltar canal from Flat find its way in the shape of lumber, timber. 

Rock to Gibraltar, $25,000, and we have the staves, etc., to the eastern market to an almost 

sum of $74,000 as the sum total of the entire cost incalculable extent. The whole of this timber 

of water communication from this village to the is comparatively valueless and is really an ob- 

mouth of the Detroit river ; one of the most stacle tn the settlement of the county, but open 

spacious and commodious harbors on Lake Erie, this outlet for it and it will at once be shipped to 

accessible at all times during the seasons of navi- a very large amount and become a source of 

gation. revenue to the county and an inducement to the 

'The interest on this sum, $74,000. at 7 per settlement of the whole section, as the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



631 



timber alimc will nearly or quite pay the ex- 
penses of clearing the land. The committee be- 
lieve fully that the tolls on lumber, staves and 
what agricultural products would be shipped 
from this district, and on the merchandise for 
which it would be exchanged will more than 
pay the $5,000 estimate for the annual expense of 
repairs, etc. For every $10 worth of timber ex- 
ported, an acre of land will be brought under 
cultivation, by which means, as the shipments 
of timber become less, its place will be supplied 
by agricultural products so that this section may 
be relied upon to furnish at all times a sufficient 
amount of transportation to meet the necessary 
annual expenditures along the entire line, still 
leaving $5,180 of interest to be defrayed bv th>? 
business of the second district described. 

"This district, as above stated, covers an area 
of 600 square miles over the whole of which 
good roads and an enterprising and industrious 
population are to be found, — one-half of this 
section is estimated to be under cultivation, e(|ual 
to 300 square miles ; and it is ascertained as per 
statement fF) that each square mile, having as 
much land under the plow as farmers usually 
have when they wish to clear no more, that is, 
when all is improved except what thev wish to 
reserve for wood, timber, etc., requires 100 tons 
of transportation annually, which, being multi- 
plied by 300, the number of square miles under 
consideration, gives 30,000 tons of transporta- 
tion annuallv, which, at a toll of 25 cents per 
ton, gives the sum of $7,500 as the net income 
of the proposed improvement, or a fraction over 
JO per cent on the cost of the entire wnrk from 
this place to Gibraltar. Another statement, (G), 
made from a different view, is prepared showing 
nearly the same result. 

"This income will continue to increase until 
the whole section under consideration shall have 
been brought under cultivation, when ir will, of 
course, be double, unless the present income has 
been estimated too low. Another source of in- 
crease will be found in the gradual introduction 
of sujjerior cultivation, which must greatly in- 
crease the production of this whole region. 

"Tt is iiroptT to observe that in the conclu- 
sions at wliicli \onr committee have arrived, and 



which have already been presented, thev have 
confined their views to the effects of the pro- 
posed work on that section of the countrv Iving 
in the immediate vicinity of the work, and in re- 
gard to which they believe no well grounded 
doubts can be entertained. They cannot, how- 
ever, believe that they will have fully discharged 
the duty of their appointment without noticing 
what they believe will be the result of the pro- 
posed improvement on a more extended scale. 
Preparatory to this view of the matter the first 
and most important inquiry is, will the pro- 
posed improvement place our village on a foot- 
ing possessing equal advantages for transacting 
the general commercial business of the interior 
with those points that now enjoy the exclusive 
benefits of that business? 

"For the accomodation of the large extent of 
territory on our west, the productions of which 
now pass to Detroit or Monroe and which in 
return receives its merchandise through the same 
channels, your committee believe that with the 
aid of the proposed improvement this channel 
of communication with the eastern markets does 
possess such advantages from its position alone 
as will secure to it permanently a large share of 
the business, and for the obvious reason that it is 
a shorter route, and we believe would be a 
cheaper route. Rut in addition to this the manu- 
facturing power that would be created along the 
route would draw the raw material of every 
description that might require the employment 
of such power to fit it for market. To this we 
may add that the harbor of Gibraltar (the ter- 
mination of this imi)rovement") is the most con- 
venient, secure and accessible for sail vessels of 
any kind at the head of the lake, — that it can be 
reached by this class of vessels with greater cer- 
tainty, ease and security than any other in its 
vicinity. 

"With this combination of circumstances is it 
not a well founded conclusion that this work 
would command a large proportion of the coun- 
try beyond the district embraced in the estimate 
submitted in the previous part of this report? 
Your committee will not hazard an estimate 
based on this view of the subject, but dismisses 
it bv calling the attention of their readers to- 



632 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the facts and leaving' them to form their own 
conclusions, — they will, however, remark that, 
in their opinion, as tributaries to the employment 
and profits of this work in case of its comple- 
tion, the means and causes last noticed will be 
found to be the most extensive and profitable 
sources of its patronage. 

"To the citizens of this villa.gx' and the vicinity, 
the importance of this work in all its bearings 
we will not attempt to calculate. Suffice it to 
say that, unless the judgment of your committee 
in the matter is most fearfully perverted, the 
calculation is altogether within the range of 
probability that its population, its Inisiness and 
the value of its real estate will he mure than 
doubled by means of this improvement ; that a 
permanent and increasing business will be se- 
cured that will keep pace with the growth and 
im]irovement of the county and render the value 
of the Huron river what nature seems to have de- 
signed it to lie — an avenue for the transmission 
of agricultural wealth of the interior to the mar- 
kets of the east and the great manufacturing 
point for the southeastern section of our state. 
Your committee believe that the lienefits to re- 
sult from the improvement of this river are 
similar in character and their elTects, as obvious 
and certain as those resulting from the clearing 
up and cultivating a rich and productive section 
of our native domain, and that in neglecting to 
avail ourselves of the natural advantages placed 
within our reach by means of this river we re- 
ject one of the richest benefits and sources of 
wealth and property that nature has ]:)rovided for 
our use and comfort, and act the part of a 
slothful and improvident tenant who permits the 
richness of a luxurious field to be wasted in the 
production of thistles, briers and weeds, while he 
seeks from precarious sources his supply of 
bread, and when, by the application of his time 
and labor in its cultivation and improvement, it 
might be made the source of wealth and ])ri)s- 
perity. ()f the practicability of this work there 
is no doubt, of its utility we believe there is 
none. Let us then set about it, and we believe 
that two years will not pass until its completion 
will have been witnessed, and we shall find our- 



selves in the participation of even more than we 
contemplated." 

"W. A. HUCKBEE, 

"J. M. Edmunds, 
"Jnrix \'.\x FossEN." 

At one time the people of the county, after 
holding a lumiber of public meetings, appealed 
to the legislature for an appropriation of $75,000 
out of the $5,000,000 internal improvement 
fund, for which the state had issued bonds. Com- 
mittees were appointed to wait upon the legisla- 
ture and work this measure through, but before 
this could be done the project of the state carry- 
ing on internal improvements was checked by the 
discovery that the $5,000,000 for which the bonds 
sold had vanished with the fall in value of the 
script in which they were ])aid. The wild cat 
banking period, through which the state liad just 
passed, had thus prevented the developing of 
the resources of the state as was intended when 
the $5,000,000 bonds were authorized. The dis- 
appearance of this fund was the main reason why 
the Huron river was not dammed in such a way 
as to make it navigable for small boats nuich 
above Ann Arbor. 

The water power rights on the llnron are now 
being purchased by two companies, each of 
which claim to have for their object the raising 
of the level of the lakes which form the head- 
waters of the Huron river, and the placing of 
dams at convenient points to store the great 
quantity of water passing down the river, so 
that it may be utilized the year round. The pro- 
ject includes provision for making the river 
navigable for pleasure parties, raising small elec- 
tric launches or other boats over the dams by 
means of cranes. The Huron river is believed 
to be capable of furnishing more power than 
an\- other river in the state, and it is extremely 
probable that within a short period it will be 
used more than now for the develoiiment of 
electric power, and that this will lead to the es- 
tablishment of a vast number of factories along 
its banks to utilize this electric power, which it 
is planned to develop by the building of im- 
mense dams. H these projects are carried out. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



633 



Washtenaw count\- will enter upon a new era of 



manufacturing. 



CHAPTER XI. 

\V.-\SIITEN.\VV IN THE W.\K. 

Washtenaw county did not take a very promi- 
nent part in the Mexican war, l)ut the Regimental 
Commissary of the First Regiment, Michigan, 
was William S. Brown, of Ann Arbor, and 
Moses K. Taylor of the same city was second 
lieutenant in Company I of that regiment. The 
war was so short and victory so quickly gained 
that the fighting spirit of old Michigan was not 
thoroughly aroused. However, it is probable 
that this county furnished its proportion of the 
Michigan volunteers in the Mexican war. 

Washtenaw county furnished more than its 
quota of volunteer soldiers in the war of the re- 
bellion. Out of 89,173 soldiers from the state 
of Michigan, .l-,o84 were accredited to Wash- 
tenaw county. There are known to have been 
others, residents of the county, who enlisted in 
the regiments in other states and were not 
charged to Washtenaw. The aggregate expenses 
of the various towns, cities and wards of the 
county for the war, in addition to their propor- 
tion of the state and general taxes, was in 
Washtenaw county $458,563.54, besides $155,- 
043.15 for the relief of soldiers' families. The 
county was quick to respond to the call to arms 
and was not subject to the early drafts, its quota 
having been more than filled. When President 
IJncoln called for troops, after Fort Sumter 
had been fired upon, the state had no money 
with which to equip them, and there was no 
way in which the state treasurer could float a 
loan le.gitimately. ^fichigan citizens, however, 
came to the rescue and loaned the state $81,020 
for the purpose of equipping troops. Of this 
amount $2,550 came from Ann Arbor, $230 from 
Dexter and $50 from Ypsilanti. 

W'hen the first call was made for three months' 
troop, Michigan was called upon for one regi- 
ment. A call for this regiment was made April 
l6th. Of the ten companies constituting it there 
were three from Washtenaw county, two from 



Wayne, one from Jackson, one from Coldwater, 
one from Burr Oak, one from Marshall and one 
from Adrian. It will be seen that Washtenaw, 
as usual, furnished more than her share. The 
three companies called from Washtenaw were 
the Manchester Union Guards, under Captain 
Isaac L. Clarkson, known afterwards as Com- 
pany D ; the Steuben Guards of Ann Arbor, un- 
der Captain William F. Roth, known as Com- 
pany E, and the Ypsilanti Light Guard, under 
Captain Franklin W. Whittlesey, known as Com- 
pany H. The regiment was mustered in May i, 
1861. It reached Washington May i6th, the first 
western regiment to reach the capital. It led the 
advance of the Union forces into Virginia, cross- 
ing Long Bridge May 24th, and shortly after- 
wards captured 150 rebel cavalry. It fought 
bravely in the battle of Bull Run and charged 
three times. Its loss was, 6 killed, 37 wounded 
and 70 missing, of whom 52 were made prison- 
ers. This regiment was mustered out August 
7th. The reorganization of the First Regiment 
commenced before the return of the regiment, 
and the rendezvous was at Ann Arbor. It was 
recruited from all parts of the state, the re- 
cruits joining the ranks at Ann Arbor. The 
officers of the regiment from Washtenaw were : 
Major Franklin \\'. Whittlesey, of Ypsilanti ; 
Quartermaster David A. Wise, of Ypsilanti ; 
Captain Russell H. Alcott. of Manchester, Com- 
pany A ; Captain George P. Sanford. of Ann 
Arbor, Company C ; First Lieutenant Eben T. 
\^'hittlesey, of Ypsilanti, Company D; First 
Lieutenant Emory W. Belton, of Chelsea, Com- 
pany F ; Second Lieutenant Philander C. Perry, 
of Ann Arbor, Company G ; Second Lieutenant 
Edward D. Judd, of Saline, Company I ; First 
Lieutenant George C. Mogk, of Ann Arbor, and 
Second Lieutenant Henry C. Arnold, of Ann 
Arbor, Company K. The regiment left Ann 
Arbor for \'irginia September 16, 1861. 

We have the names of 83 commissioned offi- 
cers and 2,900 men who donned the blue from 
W'ashtenaw. They were found in nearly every 
regiment that went out from Michigan. Of this 
number, 2,059 were in the infantry. 783 in the 
cavalry. 142 in the artillery and 128 in the en- 
gineer and mechanics' corps and the sharpshoot- 



634 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



ers. Washtenaw iiK'ii were present in every bat- 
tle of the war and participated in the final cap- 
ture of Jefferson Davis. Many of them were 
unfortunate enough to find their way into rebel 
prisons. Four hundred and seventy-five of them 
were either killed in battle or died in the field 
from disease or wounds. Many retmnied home 
with shattered health. A number, after the war 
was over, never returned to Washtenaw, but the 
majority came back, took up their daily avoca- 
tions and took pari in tho upbuilding of the 
coiuily. Civic patriotism burned high in their 
breasts and many of our foremost and most pub- 
Iic-s]iirited citizens in later days had served their 
country under arms in tlie lionr c.)f its greatest 
need. 

In the original enlistments of the Michigan 
regiments, Washtenaw furnished more men to 
the Twentieth Alichigan Infantry than any other, 
i6 commissioned officers and 406 men from this 
county being in the original enlistment which 
left Jackson for Washington, D. C, September 
I, 1862. It was in the battle of Fredericksburg, 
fought with Morgan in Kentucky, was with 
Grant at Vicksburg, at the siege of Knoxville, 
rejoined the army of the Potomac and was at 
the battle of the Wilderness. Poplar Grove 
church and the siege of Petersburg, taking part 
in 30 battles and skirmishes. 

Washtenaw furnished it commissioned offi- 
cers and t88 men to the First Michigan In- 
fantry, which lost its colonel in the second bat- 
tle of Bull Run. fought at .\ntietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Manassas Gap. and fought in nearly all 
the battles of the last campaign of the army of 
the Potomac. 

In the Second Infantry of the original enlist- 
ment, 41 men were from Washtenaw, and these 
took part in some of the most desperate battles 
of the war. 

Only 2 of the original Third Infantry came 
from Washtenaw, but in the old Fourth Michi- 
gan Infantry there were 9 officers and 183 men 
from this county, who fought in the first battle 
of Bull Run. at Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, 
Malvern Hill. Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and 
the Wilderness. 

In the Fifth A'lichigan Infantry there were 3 



officers and 28 men from Washtenaw, who 
fought in 28 battles with the army of the Po- 
tomac. 

In Ihe .'-^ixth Michigan Infantry there were 3 
musicians and 1 15 men who left in August, 1861, 
occupied New Orleans and took part in all the 
operations from that center during the war. 

The Seventh Infantry started out with 10 
Washtenaw men, and the Eiglith Infantry con- 
tained 2 officers and 27 men. This later regi- 
ment in two years traveled 5.000 miles. It 
fought at P.ull Run. Antielam, Fredericksburg, 
Vicksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and 
Petersburg. 

The Ninth Michigan Infantry left the state 
October 22, 1861, with 102 men from Washte- 
naw. It fought among other places at Murfrees- 
boro, Chickamauga, Resaca. Kenesaw Mountain 
and Atlanta. 

The Tenth Infantry contained but 5 Washte- 
naw citizens. 

The Eleventh Alichigan Infantry contained 84 
Washtenaw men, and it fottght at Stone River, 
Chickamauga, ^Missionary Ridge, Resaca and 
Adanta. 

The Twelfth Michigan Infantry contained 13 
\\'ashtenaw men and the Thirteenth contained 
_^4. The latter fought in Kentucky and marched 
with .Sherman to the sea. 

The Fourteenth Michigan Infantry contained 
129 men from this county and was organized at 
Ypsilanti, whence it moved April 17. 1862. to 
join the army at Pittsburg Landing". After 
skirmishing in Mississippi. Alabama and Tennes- 
see it fought at Stone River and marched with 
Sherman to the sea. having been in 18 battles. 

The Fifteenth Michigan Infantry contained 10 
men from this county, and the Sixteenth had 79. 
The Sixteenth, originally Stoclcton's Indepen- 
dent regiment, participated in 32 battles and 
skirmishes, including those of the Peninsular 
campaign under McClellan, Bull Run, Antietam. 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville. Gettysburg, 
the \\'^i!derness, Petersburg and Ap]ioniattox. 

The Seventeenth Michigan Infantry left De- 
troit in August, 1862, with 3 officers and 85 men 
from Washtenaw, was at the battle of South 
Mountain, .\ntietam, was in the campaigns in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



635 



Kentucky and Tennessee and returned in time 
for the battle of the Wilderness and Spottsyl- 
vania, taking part in 30 battles and skirmishes. 

The Eighteenth Michigan had 37 men from 
Washtenaw. 

The Twenty-first Michigan had 10 men from 
this county ; the Twenty-second had 12, and the 
Twenty-third also had 12. 

The Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry con- 
tained 93 men from Washtenaw, who took part 
in 20 battles and skirmishes, including Freder- 
icksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania. Cold Harbor and Petersburg. 

To the Twenty-fifth Michigan only Assistant- 
Surgeon Francis W. Oakley was furnished, and 
to the Twenty-sixth Michigan 5 officers and 23 
men. 

The Twenty-seventh Michigan's rendezvous 
was at Ypsilanti, and on April 12, 1863, 51 men 
from Washtenaw left with it for the front in 
Kentucky and Mississippi. It was with Grant 
in the final Richmond campaign and participated 
in 30 battles and skirmishes. 

The Twenty-eighth Michigan was with Sher- 
man with 48 men from Washtenaw. The 
Twenty-ninth Michigan had 8 men from Wash- 
tenaw and the Thirtieth had 47. 

In the First Engineers and Mechanics' Corps 
there were 65 men from Washtenaw. The One 
Hundred and Second U. S. Colored Troops con- 
tained 96 men from Washtenaw. 

Washtenaw furnished 19 men to the First 
Michigan Sharpshooters, 13 to the Stanton 
Guards, 3 to the First U. S. Sharpshooters, 5 to 
Duesler's Sharpshooters, i to Stuart's Sharp- 
shooters. I to Mather's and 1 1 to Willett's Sharp- 
shooters. 

In the First cavalry were 136 Washtenawians 
who left Detroit September. 29, 1861, and par- 
ticipated in 41 battles and skirmishes, including 
Bull Run, Gettysburg, Falling Waters, where it 
captured 500 prisoners, Winchester and in 
Grant's final campaign. The Second cavalry 
contained 15 from this county. The Third 
cavalry contained 121 Washtenaw men, who 
were in 25 battles and skirmishes, including 
luka, and with Sherman to the sea. The Fourth 
cavalry contained 89 Washtenaw men. This 



was the regiment that captured Jefferson Davis. 
It was in 94 skirmishes and battles. The Fifth 
cavalry contained 1 14 from this county, and was 
in 57 battles and skirmishes, including Chan- 
cellorsville, Malvern Hill and Cold Harbor. The 
Sixth cavalry contained 30 from this county, and 
the Seventh 6-j, who participated in 58 battles 
and skirmishes. The Eighth cavalry contained 
68 \^'ashtenaw men. It fought with Morgan 
and participated in 39 engagements. The Ninth 
cavalry contained 2>Z Washtenaw men. The 
Tenth cavalry contained 60 from this county 
and participated in 55 battles and engagements. 
The Eleventh cavalry contained 43 from Wash- 
tenaw. 

The Washtenaw men in the artillery were dis- 
tributed as follows: 71 in the First Light ar- 
tillery, 5 in the Second (Roos) battery, 13 in the 
Third (Dee's) battery, 5 in the Fifth (Dennis') 
battery, 3 in the Eighth (De Goyler's) battery, 
I in the Ninth (Daniel's) battery, and 44 in the 
Fourth battery. Piesides these, 4 Washtenaw 
citizens belonged to the Merrill Horse. 

The following officers, residents of Washte- 
naw, were killed in battle during the civil war: 
Colonel Harrison H. Jeffords, of Dexter, at 
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 ; Colonel Norvil E. 
Welch, of Ann Arbor, at Poplar Grove church, 
Va., September 30, 1864 ; Captain Richard G. 
De Prey, of Ann Arbor, at Gaines ]\Iills, June 
27, 1862: Captain Russell H. Alcott, of Man- 
chester, and Captain Eben T. Whittlesey, of Yp- 
silanti, at Bull Run, August 30, 1862; Captain 
Roswell P. Carpenter, of Ann Arbor, and Cap- 
tain Walter McCollum, of Lodi, at Spottsyl- 
vania, May 12, 1864; Captain Oliver Blood, of 
Scio, and Captain James H. Wheaton, of Chel- 
sea ; at Poplar Grove church, September 30, 
1864; Lieutenant H. Clay Arnold, of Ann Ar- 
bor, at Bull Run, August 30, 1862 ; Lieutenant 
James Clark, of Ann Arbor, at Frederick.sburg, 
December 13, 1862: Lieutenant Amos M. 
Ladd, of Ann Arbor, at Gettysburg. July 
2, 1863 : Lieutenant David E. Ainsworth, 
of Ann Arbor, at Spottsylvania, May 12, 
1864. Besides these. Captain William H. 
Loveland, of Ann Arbor, died May 31, 1864, 
of wounds received at the battle of the Wilder- 



636 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



ness ; Captain Wendell D. Wiltsie, of Ann Ar- 
bor, died November 27, 1863. of wonnds re- 
ceived at Knoxville ; Lieutenant William A. 
Brown, of Ann Arbor, died of wounds received 
at Chantilly, September i, 1862; Lieutenant 
Joseph Kirk, of Ann Arbor, died of wounds re- 
ceived at Athens, (la., August 7, 1864. and Lieu- 
tenant James Duncan, of Northfield, died in mili- 
tary prison at Charlestown, October 26. iS()4. 

Among" the higher officers furnished during 
the Civil war by Washtenaw were: r)rigadier- 
General William H. H. Beadle, of Ann Arbor; 
Brigadier-General Byron M. Cutcheon, of Ypsi- 
lanti ; Brigadier-General Jairus W. Hall, of Ann 
Arbor; Colonel Claudius B. Grant, of Ann Ar- 
bor; Colonel P>anklin M. Whittlesey, of Ypsi- 
lanti ; Colonel George Lockley, of Ann Arbor; 
Colonel Harrison H. Jeffords, of Dexter; Col- 
onel Jonathan W. Childs, of Augusta ; Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Norvil E. Welch, of Ann Arbor; 
Lieutenant-Colonel Russell H. Alcott, of Man- 
chester ; Lieutenant-Colonel George P. Sanford, 
of Ann Arbor ; Lieutenant-Colonel John Cordon, 
of Saline ; Lieutenant-Colonel Edwin J. Buckbee. 
of Ypsilanti ; Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas B. 
Wier, of Ann Arbor ; Lieutenant-Colonel John 
E. Clark, of Ann Arbor ; Surgeons A. B. Palmer, 
of Ann Arbor; Robert A. Everett, of Ann Ar- 
bor ; W. F. Breakey, of Whitmore Lake : William 
Fuller, of Ann Arbor ; Richard S. \'ick- 
erv, of Ann Arbor ; Alexander Ewing. of 
Dexter; Amos K. Smith, of Ann Arbor; 
William H. Young, of Ann Arbor : Ma- 
jors William C. Stevens, of Whitmore Lake; 
Cicero Newell, of Ypsilanti ; Albert A. Day, of 
Ann Arbor; Seymour Howell, of Saline; John 
M. Randolph, of Ann Arbor; Levant W. Barn- 
hart, of Ypsilanti ; William V. Richards, of Ann 
Arbor, and Samuel Griscom, of Ann Arbor. 

Many soldiers of rank, who saw service in 
this war, became residents of the county since the 
close of the war. 



CHAPTER XH. 

MICHIGAN TNIVERSITY. 



"Religion, morality and knowledge being nec- 



essary to good government and the happiness of 
mankind, schools and the means of education 
shall forever be encouraged." This was the 
opening sentence of that great instrument, the 
ordinance of 1787, creating the northwestern 
territory. This is the sentence which, in old 
English text, appears above the speaker's head 
in the university auditorium. Tt was in pur- 
suance of the policy thus early laid down in that 
famous ordinance of congress, years before any 
wdiite settler had set fo(3t in Washtenaw county, 
that the L'niversity of ^^lichigan was created and 
has now become the largest American univer- 
sity, the greatest of the state universities, and 
this year the university that contained more 
students than any other university in the coun- 
try. In 1800 a townshi]^ was reserx-ed in what 
afterward became the Territory of Michigan, by 
congress, for a seminary of learning, and a year 
later a still larger grant was made. In 1S17 the 
people of the young territory began talking of 
a university and of locating the township which 
had been conveyed to them in 1805 within the 
territory when it was organized, but which had 
not been located. Tt was found that this town- 
ship must be lucated on land the title to wdiich 
had been ceded by the Lidians before 1805. and 
that the lands earliest abandoned by the Indians 
wi're tl'.e lands least desirable for the univer- 
sity. Tt was also determined that it would be 
better for the cause of education if the 36 sec- 
tiims of land could be located in various parts 
of the state, rather than in one complete town- 
ship, and congress was memorialized for relief. 
On May 20, 1826 congress annulled the previous 
grant and in its place gave two entire townships 
and conferred the privilege of locating the land 
in detached portions and of selecting it from any 
part of the public domain. A committee was ap- 
pointed by the territory to examine the country 
and to report fully their opinion in regard to 
the location of the land." A competent surveyor 
was employed and much wisdom and judgment 
was shown by the committee in completing their 
work. Other territories have been granted even 
larger proportions of land, but have not shown 
the results that Michigan has. Within 10 years 
from the time the grant was made the superin- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



^^n 



tendent of public instruction estimated that the 
land thus located had attained an average value 
of $20 per acre. In January, 1837. the super- 
intendent reported that the first 20,000 acres 
could be sold at once for $20 an acre and that 
the remaining 26,080 could be sold at the same 
rate as soon as the funds would be needed, and 
the legislature of the young state, on March 21, 
1837, passed an act authorizing the superinten- 
dent "to sell at auction so much of the university 
lands as should amount to the sum of $500,000," 
and none of which were to be sold lower than 
$20 per acre. By the following year sales 
amounting to $150,000 had been made at an 
average rate of $22.85 '^'i acre, and it was con- 
fidently believed that at no very distant date, at 
least, the sum of $921,600 would be realized 
from the sale of land thus generously given by 
the government as a permanent endowment. P)Ut 
in this the friends of the university were doomed 
to be bitterly disappointed. It was found that 
much of the university lands had been occupied 
by settlers, after being located by the university, 
and the occupants were allowed, in their clam- 
ors to the legislature, so that in 1838 the legis- 
lature released over 100,000 acres of university 
land, which had been located in 1S30, promising 
to give the university an equal amount of new land 
to be appraised of equal vahie, but it was after- 
ward found that this could not be done, as there 
was no land left of the value of the land which 
the state had thus taken away from the univer- 
sity endowment ; and in 1838 a large quantity of 
university land was authorized to be sold at $1.25 
an acre, but Governor Mason happily vetoed the 
act, intimating that the bill had been carried by 
"a wholesale propagandism in the interest of 
adventurers to claim university land." In 1839 
the legislature extended the time of pavment to 
purchasers of university lands. In 1840. 5,000 
acres were authorized to be sold for $6.21 an 
acre. In 1841 the minimum price was placed at 
$15 per acre, and in 1842 at $12 per acre; and 
the county judges and surveyors were authorized 
to reappraise land already sold and if the ap- 
praisal was lower than the price which had been 
agreed upon the superintendent of public instruc- 
tion was authorized to accredit the purchaser 
38 



with the difference. In 1843 it was shown that 
$34,651 had been either returned or accredited 
to the purchasers, while the total sales up to this 
time had amounted to $220,000. The various 
acts of retrospective legislation had reduced this 
amount so that the university had only realized 
$137,000. or $83,000 less than the amount for 
which the land had been actually sold. The 
kind of legislation thus briefly hinted at had the 
effect of reducing the amount actually realized 
from the sale of the university lands to $450,000, 
less than a half of what had been anticipated in 
1837. In 1838 the legislature loaned the board 
of regents $100,000 for the purpose of organiz- 
ing the university and erecting the necessary 
buildings, a loan which the university, bv the 
terms of the act, was never to be called upon di- 
rectly to repay. 

Previous to this time the University of Michi- 
gan had been organized on paper. The original 
plan was drawn up in 181 7 by Judge Woodward 
in an act passed by the territorial legislature of 
such great breadth that its high ideals have never 
been fully realized. In fact the education of to- 
day is hardly liberal enough to enable the ordi- 
nary college graduate to understand all the 
words used in this document creating what the 
act called "Catholepistemiad, or Universitv of 
^Michigan." The act says: "The Catholepiste- 
miad, or University of Michigan, shall be com- 
posed of 13 didaxiim, or professors : First, a 
didaxia, or professorship of catholepistemia, or 
universal sciences, the didactor, or professor, 
which shall be president of the university; 
second, a didaxia, or professorship or anthro- 
poglossica, or literature, embracing all the epis- 
temium, or sciences relative to languages ; third, 
a didaxia; or professorship of mathematica, or 
mathematics, and fourth, a didaxia, or profes- 
sorship of physiognostica, or natural history." 
In 1821 the territorial legislature provided that 
persons of every religious denomination were 
capable of being elected trustees and that no one 
should be refused admission to the new univer- 
sity on account of "conscientious persuasions in 
matters of religion," and the trustees were au- 
thorized to establish such colleges, academies and 
schools dependent upon the university they 



638 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



niigiit deem proper. Hut the real founding of 
the university was reserved till later }'ears. 

Michigan was fortunate in having for its first 
su]K'riiitendent of public instruction Rev. John 
D. Pierce, a man of liberal culture, familiar with 
all the best systems of education in Europe, and 
with a special knowledge of the Prussian system 
of education from which he seems to have drawn 
largely his ideas which were put into effect in 
jMichigan. In his first report he argued that the 
vmiversity should be organized upon the broad- 
est basis, recommending the ultimate establish- 
ment of three departments, one of literature, 
sciences and the arts, one of medicine and one 
of law. He argued that the university should 
be undenominational, and it was part of his sys- 
tem to bind together into one whcile the common 
schools of the state and the nniversit\'. which 
should be their "cap sheaf." 

In 1837 the legislature passed an act, approved 
on the 18th of March, in that year, authorizing 
the establishment of the University of Michi- 
gan, to consist of three departments which had 
been recommended by Superintendent Pierce. 
The university was to be governed l^)- 12 regents 
to be appointed by the governor, and the gov- 
ernor, lieutenant-governor, judges of the su- 
preme court and the chancellor of the state were 
to be ex-ofificio members of the board of regents. 
The governor was to be its president and the 
regents were to have the power of enacting laws 
for the government of the university, to a^i- 
point professors, a chancellor and other officers. 
Twenty-five professorships were to be estab- 
lished as follows: In the department of litera- 
ture, sciences and the arts a professor of an- 
cient languages, a professor of modern lan- 
guages, a professor of rhetoric, a ])rofessor of 
the philosophy of history and logic, a professor 
of natural theology and history of all religions, 
a profes.sor of political econotny, a professor of 
mathematics, a professor of natural philosophy, 
a professor of chemistry, a professor of geology 
and mineralogy, a professor of botany and zoo- 
logy, a professor of fine arts, a professor of civil 
engineering, and a professor of drawing. In 
the department of law a professor of interna- 
tional law, a professor of common law and 



equity, a professor of constitutional and statute 
law, a professor of commercial and maritime 
law, and a professor of jurisprudence, and in 
the department of medicine a professor of an- 
atomy, a professor of surgery, a professor of 
pathology and physiology, a professor of the 
principles of physics, a professor of obstetrics 
and the diseases of women and children, and a 
professor of materia medica, pharmacy and 
medical jurisprudence. Under this law the fee 
for admission was never to exceed $10. The 
regents were directed to establish branches in 
various parts of the state, which branches were 
apparently to be preparatory departments of the 
university, and they were directed to procure 
plans for university buildings before January i, 
183C). Two days after the approval of this act 
the legislature passed a law locating the univer- 
sity at Ann Arbor. Forty acres of land, the 
present campus, were donated to the regents 
by the Ann Arbor Land Company, a syndicate 
which had been formed for the purpose of mak- 
ing money by the platting and sale of a consider- 
able territory adjoining the then village of Ann 
Arbor. The story of how the Ann Arbor Land 
company came to be formed and its efforts to 
make money out of the location of the university 
has thus been told : 

"One of the first acts of the legislature, after 
Michigan had been admitted into the Union, was 
to appropriate money to erect buildings and es- 
tablish a university. At that time Daniel C. 
Brown and his brother, Nathaniel J. Brown, in 
company with a man named Garrett, of New 
York city, were running a commission store in 
Chicago. Daniel bought a good deal of the stuff 
that they handled, in Ann Arbor, and it was 
while on a trip home to Ann Arbor for a fresh 
load of goods that he picked up an Ann Arbor 
weekly newspaper and read the act which the 
legislature had just passed. He took the paper 
back with him to Chicago, and pinned it up on 
the window of their store in Chicago where 
everyone who passed could read it. Garrett had 
been around Wall street, in New York city, for 
20 years, was shrewd in a deal, and quick to see 
a good investment. He told Daniel P). Brown 
to go right back to Ann Arbor, buy up all the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



639 



land he could in and about Ann Arbor, organize 
a joint stock company, issue scrip and then take 
out 40 acres from the heart of the investment 
and donate it to the state for the university, it it 
would be located in Ann Arbor. .Acting upon 
this advice, Daniel Brown immediately laid the 
plan before his business friends ; they approved 
it, and a joint stock company was organized 
by E. W. Morgan, Charles Thayer, William R. 
Thompson, William S. ]\Iaynard and Daniel I'>. 
P)rown, and 200 acres of land bought. Scrip 
was issued to the amount of $200,000 and oper- 
ations began with the setting aside of the 40 
acres, which now comprise the campus of the 
University of Michigan. They next sent $25,000 
of the scrip to Detroit by one competent to lobby, 
and when the measure deciding the location of 
the new university was finally brought up, Ann 
Arbor won by a fair majority. P)Ut Ann .\rbor 
was not Wall street, nor did the boom in real 
estate meet their expectations, many lots around 
the university campus selling for $50 apiece and 
none ever higher than $200. When the affairs 
of the company were finally wound up it was 
found that no one had made or lost a dollar, and 
that the five men had. in reality, donated the land 
to the university, the investment and recepits 
just striking a balance, exclusive of the 40 
acres." The Daniel B. Brown mentioned in this 
article was sheriff' of W'ashtenaw county in 1833, 
and was the first superintendent of the Michi- 
gan Central Railroad. For 47 years he was a 
deacon of the Raptist church. He died ir .Vnn 
Arbor, ^larch 14, 1901, at the age of ninety-six 
years. 

The members of the Ann Arbor Land Com- 
pany were jubilant over securing the location of 
the University of Michigan upon the forty acres 
they donated, and they proceeded to boom the 
village of Ann Arbor in a fashion which has been 
approved by so many land speculators in our 
•western states. Posters were sent broadcast 
throughout tlie country depicting the great ad- 
vantages to accrue to Ann Arbor from the loca- 
tion of the university. One of these posters 
reads as follows : 

"The undersigned will offer at at public auc- 
tion on the 8th day of June next, at the Ann Ar- 
bor T'.xchangv. in this village, on the most liberal 



terms, one thousand village lots, comprising 
some of the most eligible locations for business, 
and many of the most delightful sites for dwell- 
ings in the village or its vicinity. Also, one 
hundred out lots of from one to ten acres each, 
lying within one mile of the village, several of 
them well timbered, and many of them well 
watered, affording excellent pasture. Also a 
number of improved farms situated from one to 
three miles from town. 

"The healthy and delighful situation of Ann 
Arbor and its superior natural advantages are too 
well known to require description. The legisla- 
ture, at its last session, established the University 
in Ann Arbor; and also provided by law for the 
speedy construction by the state of the Detroit 
and St. Joseph Railroad, which will probably be 
completed to this place the present season. The 
funds of the University being now estimated at 
over $5,000,000 and rapidly increasing, every- 
thing connected with the institution will doubt- 
less be conducted upon a scale of unparalleled 
munificence and nothing omitted which science, 
taste and wealth can do to embelish the town, 
improve the society, and make it the most desira- 
ble residence in the great west for persons of 
literature and refinement, while the great agricul- 
tural, manufacturing and comniercial advantages 
of the place, and the facilities of communication 
with every part of the Union will afford ample 
employment for the capitalist and man of busi- 
ness. Similar inducements can never again be 
offered to purchasers in Michigan. The terms 
of the sale will be one-fourth down (or approved 
bank paper), and the balance in three equal an- 
nual installments, with annual interest secured 
upon the property. Ann .\rbor scrip will be re- 
ceived at $200 per share, in payment for all prop- 
erty sold by the Ann .\rbor Land Company. The 
sales will be positive, and the title in all cases 
warranted good. E. \Y. Morgan. Wm. S. May- 
nard. Trustees of the Ann Arbor Land Co., 
Chas. Thayer, Chester Ingalls, D. B. Brown. E. S. 
Cobb, \^'m. R. Thompson. Ann Arbor. April 
20, 1837." 

Tn 1838 the regents decided to establish eight 
branches of the university which would be. in 
fact, preparatory schools. Five of these branches 
were org-anized — at Pontiac. Niles, Detroit, Te- 



640 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



cuniseh and 



These branches failed to 



flourish as the ])i ipulatioii of the state was sparse 
and the funds for their support were limited. 
However, it was ten 3-ears before the last of the 
preparatory schools had ceased to exist and they 
had done good work in preparing students for 
the university. 

It was not until the 22d day of July, 1841, 
that the organization of the instructional force 
at the university began. George P. Williams, 
who had been principal of the Pontiac branch, 
was appointed professor of languages, but within 
less than a month he was transferred to the chair 
of mathematics. Rev. Joseph Whiting, principal 
of the Niles branch, was then appointed to the 
department of languages. A month later five 
buildings stood on the campus, consisting of four 
professors' houses and the north wing of the 
present main building, which was then itself the 
main building of the university. The two pro- 
fessors were to be paid a salary of $500 a year 
and were to be given free house rent, and also to 
divide the fees for pupils in the preparatory de- 
partment. Six young men were admitted as stu- 
dents in the university, five in the freshman class 
and one in the sophomore class. The sophomore 
was William B. Wesson, of Detroit. The fresh- 
men were Judson D. Collins, of Lyndon, Mer- 
chant H. Goodrich, of Ann .\rbor, Lyman D. 
Norris, of Ypsilanti, George E. Parmelee, of .\nn 
Arbor, and George W. Pray, of Superior. It 
will be noticed that the entire sophomore class 
came from Detroit, while the entire freshman 
class came from Washtenaw coimty. 

Professor George P. W'illiams was born in 
Woodstock, Vermont, in 1802, graduated from 
the University of Vermont in 1825, and spent two 
years at the .\ndover Theological Seminary. He 
taught at Gambler, Western University of Penn- 
sylvania, and Kenyon College, and in 1837 ^'^'^^ 
placed in charge of the Pontiac branch of the 
university. For a time Professor Williams con- 
ducted all the work at the university in Ann Ar- 
bor alone, and as senior professor he was virtually 
the first head of the university for the period of 
ten years, and his influence was of incalculable 
value in encouraging the young men in the union 



of manliness with generosity and frank courtesy 
and good feeling. He was an admirably compe- 
tent instructor and remained with the university 
until his death September 4, 1881. He was pro- 
fessor of natural philosophy from 1841 to 1854; 
professor of mathematics from 1854 to 1863 ; and 
professor of physics from 1863 to 1881, the last 
six 3'ears of which as professor emeritus. Prob- 
ably more college stories are told of Professor 
Williams than of any other university professor. 
Fie was of medium height, straight, square shoul- 
dered, somewhat portly, with a large head and a 
larger heart. One cold winter morning the jani- 
tor found a donkey in Dr. Williams' room in the 
university building, which the students had placed 
there, and started over to tell the Doctor about it. 
.Arriving at the Doctor's house, out of breath, he 
exclaimed : "Why. Dr. Williams, Dr. Williams, 
there is — there is — a donkey in your room !" "Only 
one," answered the Doctor. On another occasion 
another donkey was introduced into the Doctor's- 
room and securely- tied to his desk ; and when the 
Doctor came in the class was hard at work look- 
ing over their books. Taking off his hat, he- 
smiled at the students, surveyed the desk and the 
donkey tied to it, and remarked: "Well, young 
gentlemen, I am extremely delighted this morn- 
ing to see that you have chosen one of your num- 
ber to preside and consecpiently do not need me. 
You may take the next fourteen propositions in 
geometery for tomorrow. Good morning!" On 
another occasion a ivog was placed upon Dr. Wil- 
liams' desk, and upon observing it he remarked : 
"W'hy, here's another freshman!" After the 
laughter had subsided, he looked at the frog again 
and said : "Why, young gentlemen, there can be 
no doubt about it because he smells fresh and 
looks green !" 

Professor Joseph Whiting had taken the de- 
gree of M. A. at Yale in 1823 and was a Pres- 
byterian clergyman, and acted as president of the 
little faculty in the first vears of its life. He died 
in Ann Arbor in August, 1845, aged forty-five 
years. He did not live to see the first class grad- 
uate. He was a man of ability and the regents 
had acted wisely in selecting him for one of the 
first university chairs. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



641 



The first commencement of the university was 
held in Auiiiist. 1845, on which occasion eleven 
students received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 
These students were Charles A. Clark, of Mon- 
roe : Judson D. Collins, of Lyndon, the first com- 
missioner of the Methodist Episcopal church to 
China ; Thomas 1!. Cummings, who was after- 
ward actingf governor of Nebraska ; Edmund 
Fish, who became a New York city merchant; 
Merchant H. Goodrich, who continued to reside 
in Ann Arbor until his death ; Edwin .\. Law- 
rence ; Fletcher O. Marsh, who became a college 
professor in Dennison and Leland L'niversities ; 
John D. McKay, a lawyer and editor of St. Louis ; 
George E. Parmelee, a New York city merchant ; 
George W. Pra}', afterward a member of the 
legislature ; and Paul W . IL Rawles, a captain 
in the Mexican war who died shortly after its 
conclusion. (Jf these not one is now living. Li 
1849 there were twenty-three graduates of the 
tmiversity, l)ut this nunil)er dropped ofif in 1852 to 
nine. 

With the adoption of the new state constitution 
in 1851 the organization of the imi\ersit\' board 
of regents was changed, an<I tlie\ were there- 
after to be elected by the people, and were given 
general supervision of the university and the di- 
rection and control of all expenditures from the 
university interest fund. It is under this pro- 
vision that the courts have held that the regents 
are independent of legislative control. The at- 
tendance on the university had dropped from 
eighty-four in 1848 to fifty-seven in 1S52. The 
new constitution required that the board of re- 
gents shiiuld elect a president of the university, 
and the regents selected Rev. Henrv V. Tappan, 
n. 1)., of New York. Dr. Tappan was thus the 
first ]5resident of the university. He was born at 
Rhinebeck on the Hudson, April 18, 1805. He 
graduated from L^nion College in 1825 and was 
ordained as a Presbyterian minister. At the age 
of twenty-seven he was appointed to the chair of 
moral and intellectual philosophy in the l^ni- 
versity of New York. He was author of several 
metaphysical books, and in 1845 received the de- 
gree of D. D. from LTnion College, and in 1853 
the degree of LL. D. from Columbia. Tn 1856 he 
was made a corresponding member of the Insti- 



tute of F"rance. He was induced to come to Ann 
Arbor from New York Ijy his desire to take part 
in the creation of an American university deserv- 
ing of the name. He removed to .-Vun Arbor with 
his family in C)ctober, 1852, and his services to 
Michigan were of the highest character and most 
productive in their results. It is on the broad 
general principles which he laid down and en- 
forced that the university is still carried on. He 
was a man of broad view, liberal culture, of 
strong personal convictions, and a man who abso- 
lutely refused to temporize with cliques, parties 
or sects, who early began to clamor for repre- 
sentation on the faculty and for control of the 
interests of the university. He insisted that the 
faculty should represent only scholars and profes- 
sional ability, and many of the men he chose to 
constitute that faculty had l)eci:)me men of na- 
tional repute as scholars. White, Cooley, Wat- 
son, Frieze, Boise, Winchell and Haven all be- 
came members of the faculty during President 
Tappan's administration. He insisted on doing 
away with the traditional dormitory system, the 
early students of the university having lived in 
the wings of the university building. He was 
one of the greatest educators who ever presided 
over an American college and he continued as 
president of the university until 1863, when he 
resigned on account of dififerenccs with members 
of the board of regents who could not appreciate 
the broadmindedness of the man which kept him 
from joining in their sectarian views. The cir- 
cumstances which led to Dr. Tappan's resigna- 
tion almost broke his heart and he went to Swit- 
zerland, where he died in 1881, never again hav- 
ing set foot on his native soil ; but before his 
death the people of Michigan had come fully to 
api)rcciate the great work that the first president 
had accomplished for the tmiversity. 

The medical faculty had l)een ap]K;)inted in 
1840 and organized on May 5. 1850, by electing 
Dr. Abram Sager its president. The medical 
school opened in October, 1850, and the first 
year contained — students. The establishment 
of this department was largely due to Professor 
Moses Gunn, who continued as professor in the 
I'niversity of Michigan till 18^17, when he went 
to Chicago as president of the Rush Medical Col- 



642 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



lege. Dr. Gunn had heard of the estabhshment 
of a university at Ann Arbor and the fact that a 
medical department was ukimately to be estab- 
lished : and he proposed to Dr. Corydon L. Ford, 
who was a fellow student of his at the Colleo'e 
of Physicians and Surgeons at Geneva, that the\' 
should both teach in the new medical department. 
Dr. Gunn was in earnest and immediately after 
graduation secured a Ixxly fur (Hssectinn, and 
packing it in his trunk came to Ann Arbor from 
New York by .stages, and arriving in Ann Arlxir 
immediately organized a class in anati)ni\- and 
physiology among the literary students. Having 
by this means aroused the interest of the students, 
he secured their aid in urging upon the regents 
the immediate organization of the department of 
medicine, and many of the students expressed 
their desire to enter it as medical students. This 
was the first free medical college in the United 
States and consequently was well advertised 
through all parts of the coimtry. The literary 
students expected to have great sport in hazing 
the medical students about to enter, but to their 
surprise the medical class opened with ninet\- stal- 
wart medical students, a nunilier in excess of the 
students in the literary department. The hazing 
was omitted. Dr. (Junn remained in Chicago as 
president 1 if the Rush Medical College for a num- 
ber of years, and died in 1887. 

Dr. Sager, the first dean of the medical depart- 
ment, was ])rofessor of liotany and zoolooy in the 
universit\- from 1842 ti.) 1850, and continued a 
professor in the medical department until his 
death, .\ugust 6. 1877. He was 1)orn in Bethle- 
hem, Xew York, Decemlier 22. 1870, and was 
chief of the botanical and geological department 
of the state geolo^icTl surve\' of Michigan, and 
his collection of specimens laid the foundation for 
the present museum of the university. Dr. Silas 
H. Douglas was made ])rofessor of chemistry, 
jjharmacy and medical jurisprudence in 1850, 
drop]5ed the chair of medical juris])rn(lence in 
1836 and tdiik u]i that of toxicology, and in 1870 
was made director of the chemical laboratory. 
He resigned in 1877. He was dean of the medi- 
cal faculty from 1853 to 1858. Dr. Douglas 
found time to organize the .Ann Arlior Gas 
Companw with which he continued until his 



death, and served as mayor of the city of Ann 
-Arbor. Dr. Samuel Denton was appointed pro- 
fessor of theory and practice of physics and path- 
ology, which position he held from 1850 to i86o. 
Dr. Denton was long a resident of .Ann .Arbor 
and was a prtmiinent local physician who took 
a strong stand in matters of politics. He was a 
member of the second convention of assent whose 
action admitted Michigan into the l^nioti, and 
was a state senator from 1845 to 1848, being 
president pro tem in the latter year. He died 
in .\nn .\rbor in i860, aged fifty-seven years. 
Dr. Jonathan .A. Allen was professor of thera- 
peutics, materia medica and physiology from 1850 
to 1854, and was afterward a professor in Rush 
Medical Colle,ge, and in 1877 was luade president 
of that college. These five men constituted the 
first medical faculty. 

In 1857 a course in engineering was estab- 
lished. In 1859 the law school was founded, and 
then followed in order a school of pharmacy, a 
school (^f mines, a school of architecture, and in 
1875 schools of dentistry and homeopathy. Early 
in Dr. Tap])an's administration it was seen that 
in order to teach astronom\- successfully an ob- 
servatorv was needed, and largely through the 
personal solicitation of the president the luoney 
for this oliservatorv was raised in Detroit by 
contributiriu. The Detroit (Observatory, as it was 
called, was built just about as it exists at the 
present da\' in this city, and was at once recog- 
nized as one of the most ]>erfectly cfpiijiped ob- 
servatories in the world. 

The nucleus of the uni\ersity library was a col- 
lection of 4,000 voluiues ])urchased in 1840. For 
the next ten years few additicins were made, but 
after Dr. Tapjian's arrival more attention was 
ijaid to the librar\-. The first librarian was ap- 
pointed in 1854 and was Professor Louis Tas- 
(|uelle. ITe was succeeded by John L. Tappan 
who served until 1863. D. C. Brooks served for 
one \-ear and Professor Andrew Ten Brook was 
librarian from 1864 to 1877. In 1877 Rayiuond 
C. Davis was appointed librarian and served until 
igoc. when Theodore W. Koch was appointed 
librarian. 

The collection of fine arts was begun in 1859 
and in 1862 a Rosrers' .Art .Association was 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



^^43 



formed to purchase the statuary of Xvcha by Ran- 
dolph Rogers, who had been a boy in Ann .\rbor. 
It is from tliis beginning- that the art collection 
of the miiversity has grown. 

In 1856 a chemical laboratory was erected and 
the demand for instruction in this branch became 
so general that large additions had to be made. 

The law department was opened on October 3, 
1859. The first law faculty was a particularly 
strong one and consisted of Thomas M. Cooley, 
James V. Campbell and Charles I. Walker. Dur- 
ing the first rear there were ninety students in 
the law de]5artment. Two of the three members 
of this faculty were judges of the Supreme Court 
of Michigan. Judge Cooley became known as 
the greatest .American law writer of his time. 
His books were quoted as authority in the Eng- 
lish courts as well as the .-\merican. a distinction 
conferred upon but few .Vmerican law writers. 
He was one of the first United States interstate 
commerce commissioners, and practically molded 
the earlier decisions of that body. He was dean 
of the law faculty until 1884, and during his serv- 
ice on the interstate commerce commission was 
connected with the university faculty as professor 
of .A.merican histc>r\- and constitutional law. He 
died in .Vnn .\rbor, ( )ctober 12, 1897. Judge 
Campbell, who was professor of law from 1859 
to 1885, was an eloquent lecturer, a strong and 
able lawyer, and was one of the finest men that 
Michigan ever saw. lie died in Detroit. March 
26, 1890. Mr. Walker was on the law faculty 
from 1859 to 1876, again from 1879 to 1881, and 
a third time from 1886 to ]S.f^j. 

The first year of President Tappan's adminis- 
tration the universit)' catalogue contained a list 
of fourteen officers and two hundred and twenty- 
two students. The university, during his eleven 
years" administration, grew until there were 
thirty officers and six hundred and fifty students. 

In the summer of i8(V:; l^rastus O. Haven was 
elected jiresident of the university, and so con- 
tinued until i86r). He had been connected with 
the miiversity from 1852 to 1854 as professor of 
the Latin language and literature. He was born 
in Boston, Massachusetts. November T, 1820, and 
was the son of a ]\Iethodist preacher. He gradu- 
ated from Weslevan I^niversity in 1842 and im- 



mediately became a teacher. In t847 lie became 
pastor of a New York City church. He was a 
member of the Massachusetts senate from 1862 to 
1863. when he was elected to the presidency of 
the University of ^Michigan. It was during the 
administration of Dr. Haven that the principle of 
a portion of a mill tax was introduced, the tax 
first being granted for the use of the universit\- 
being one-twentieth of a mill. Dr. Haven found 
the universitv with six hundred fifty-two students, 
and left it in 1869 with 1,114. In 1869 the literary 
department contained four hundred twenty-two 
students, the medical department three hundred 
fifty-eight and the law department three hundred 
fortv-two. Dr. Haven, in 1869, became president 
of Northwestern I'niversity, but he resigned this 
position in 1872. In 1874 he was made chan- 
cellor of Syracuse University, and in 1880 was 
made a bishop of the ^Methodist Episcopal 
church. He died at Salem, Oregon, on the 2d 
(if .Vugust, 1881. 

For two years after Dr. Haven's resignation. 
Professor Henry S. Frieze was acting president. 
During Professor Frieze's incumbency in the of- 
fice of president women were admitted to the 
universit}'. The question of the admission of 
women had been agitated since 1858, when a 
number of young ladies petitioned to be admitted 
to the universit)-. Their request was adversely 
re])orted upon by the regents and in 1867 the 
legislature declared that in their opinion women 
should be admitted to all the rights and privil- 
eges of the university. In this year the regents 
instructed their executive committee to consider 
the matter and to report at some future time. 
President Haven, however, opposed the admis- 
sion of women and urged the establishment of a 
state college for young ladies. In 1869 the re- 
gents refused to pass a resolution introduced by 
Re.gent Willard of Battle Creek that in the opinion 
of the board no rule existed which excluded 
women from admission to the university. This 
resolution was defeated by a vote of 3 to 5. In 
1870, however, the question was finally settled by 
the adoption of the san-ie resolution that had been 
offered the year previous. February 2, 1870, the 
first woman entered the university. She was 
Miss IMadalon L. Stockwell, of Kalamazoo. She 



644 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



was already a graduate of Kalamazoo College and 
after graduating from the literary department of 
the university in 1872 she taught school two years, 
when she was married to Charles King Turner. 
In 1876 the number of women in the university 
had increased to 117, and in 1904 there were 716 
women in attendance, of whom 663 were in the 
department of literature, science and arts, 
32 in the medical department, 4 in the 
law department. 4 in the pharmacy de- 
partment, 1 I in the homeopathic college, 
and 2 in the college of dental surgery. Dur- 
ing Dr. Frieze's administration it was also decided 
to admit pupils of high schools which furnish 
satisfactory evidence of their courses of stud}' 
and instruction, upon diploma to the university, 
the university thus becoming, in reality, the head 
of the public-school system of the state of Michi- 
gan. In January, 1871, the regents appropriated 
$75,CX30 for the erection of a building for the 
literary department. This was expended in the 
erection of University Hall properly speaking, 
the building which connected the north and south 
wings which had previously lieen in existence. 

Dr. Frieze was born in Boston, September 15, 
1817. He graduated from Brown University in 
1841 and was made a tutor in that institution 
upon graduation. In 1854 Dr. Tappan invited 
him to assume the direction of dejiartment of Latin 
in the university, in which position Dr. Frieze 
remained for over thirty-five years. He was twice 
acting president of the university, the first time 
during the interregnum between the administra- 
tion of Dr. Haven and that of President Angell, 
and the second time from 1880 to 1881, during 
Dr. Angell's residence in China as United States 
minister. He was a fine musician, a cultured 
scholar and was greatly beloved by his pupils. 
The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by 
four different imiversities. He died December 7, 
1889. 

Dr. James Burrill Angell was invited to be- 
come president of the university in 1869, but de- 
clined. In 1 871 the regents renewed the invita- 
otin, and Dr. Angell entered upon the duties of 
the presidential office on the first day of August, 
1 87 1. He was then forty-two years of age, and 
it has been during his long administration that 



the university has made the immense strides that 
have placed it in the foremost rank among Amer- 
ican universities and given it a larger student body 
than any other college or university in the United 
States. While the attendance has been increasing 
at this rate the standard of admission has been 
greatly raised, so that many who were admitted 
to college in the early part of Dr. Angell's admin- 
istration could not at this date obtain admission 
with such preparation as they had then. The 
University senate memorial to Dr. .\ngell on the 
occasion of the quarter-centennial celebration of 
his presidency, June 24, i8g6, describes the 
growth of the university in the twenty-five years 
from 1S71 to 1896 as follows: 

"During this period of twenty-five years the 
growth of the University has been truly remarka- 
ble. Its resources have been trebled, its students 
have increased from twelve hundred to three 
thousand, its staff' of instruction has grown more 
than four times as large, while the scope of its 
work has been extended by the addition of four 
new departments, the Schools of Dentistry, of 
Pharmacy, of Homeopathy, and of Engineering. 
\\'ithin the department of Literature, Sciences 
and the Arts have been created several important 
chairs, while the numerous facilities in the way 
of laboratories and seminaries and lectureships 
and apparatus have added strength and value to 
all courses of instruction. But as you have often 
taken occasion to remark, Mr. President, bigness 
is not greatness, and we find the most satisfactory 
and convincing proofs of the success of your ad- 
ministration in those less palpable but more valu- 
able improvements and advances that are more 
spiritual than material, and that constitute most 
clearly the essential elements of a true university. 
As such elements we would name, first, the closer 
articulation of the University with the organic 
system of state education, of which it is the head. 
Under your fostering care this relation, which 
was instituted just before you came to us, has 
been made more vital, and has become increas- 
ingly fruitful of good both to secondary educa- 
tion and to the University. 

".\nother element of University progress is 
the development of the elective system, and the 
opportunity it aff'ords for advanced work and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



645 



scientific investigation. Of the beneficial results 
of this system, in the way of promoting scholar- 
ship, and of giving to the life of the University 
a more mature and earnest spirit, there can be no 
doubt. 

"This catholicity of purpose, this breaking 
dowrn of the traditional class distinctions, and this 
wide lehrfreiheit have not been purchased at the 
at the price of solidity and discipline; and this 
happy result we owe in no small degree to your 
wise conservatism and broad outlook over the 
whole field of education. Closely related to this 
movement for wider choice of studies and greater 
independence of a routine curriculum is the ef- 
fort to foster graduate study, and to build up that 
higher side of the University that in the end 
must measure its real character and influence. 

"Twenty-five years ago no graduate work, prop- 
erly so-called, was attempted. At present we have 
graduate courses in all departments of the Uni- 
versitv. To no one subject have your reports 
called more urgent attention than to the import- 
ance of building up this the most distinctive part 
of a true University. 

"Closelv allied to this forward movement is 
the constant advance made by our professional 
schools in their methods and standards of instruc- 
tion. In looking over the record of these past 
vears, the conviction is gained that the University 
has in no other direction made greater strides 
than in this. Twenty-five years ago there was no 
examination for admission to any one of our pro- 
fessional schools : today, preliminary training that 
covers the equivalent of a good high school course 
is required by all our professional departments. 

"Then, the term of both the Law and Medical 
Schools was six months for two years, and the 
instruction was given chiefly by lectures. Now. 
our Medical Schools require a registration of four 
terms of nine months each, and set a standard for 
graduation that is as high as that of any medical 
school in this country, while the Law School has 
lengthened its course to three years of nine months 
each, and has signally raised its standard of 
graduation. In all these departments the old 
style of instruction has been materially modified 
or superseded by modern methods, in which lab- 
oratory practice and scientific research hold the 
most prominent place. 



"The vear before your induction into the presi- 
dencv the doors of the University were first 
thrown open to the admission of women. What 
was for a time a bold experiment has become an 
established success, and the hundreds of young 
women who have worthily enjoyed the full privi- 
leges and advantages of the LIniversity on abso- 
lutely equal terms with young men, are glad to 
bring vou their tribute of gratitude for your just 
and wise administration, which has made the 
interests of women in this university more secure. 

"The entire life and spirit of the L'niversity 
during this period which we pass in review have 
been marked by a steady growth in good order 
and decorum, in friendly relations between pupils 
and teachers, and in all that makes for a whole- 
some intellectual and moral atmosphere. 

"That amid much and necessary diversity of 
interest there has been so much harmony and 
unitv in our councils as a senate, and in the dif- 
ferent faculties, is due in no small measure to 
your impartial conduct of afl^airs. your broad and 
generous views, your charitable spirit, and your 
gracious courtesy. That the University has safely 
passed through many crises, has gained respect 
and influence throughout our state and the entire 
land, is to be attributed in a large degree to your 
skillful management, your experience in educa- 
tional work, and to your high character as a citi- 
zen and as a man. 

"We congratulate the University. Mr. Presi- 
dent, upon the reputation you have justly earned 
for her, a reputation not bounded by the seas, 
but cherished also in the far Orient and in the 
centers of European learning as well as at home. 
We recall with feelings of honest pride how our 
own national government has thrice summoned 
\'ou to high service in diplomacy and council. We 
are glad also to remember that in the discussion of 
the great educational problems of our day. your 
words are ever welcomed as those of one who has 
authority to speak." 

Dr. .\ngell in his response feelingly spoke of 
many of the men who had aided in making the 
L'niversity what it is. He said : 

"\\'hat University has had a more choice col- 
lection of men in its faculties during the last 
quarter of a century than this ! It is they who 
have pre-eminently made the University what it 



646 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



is. In ni\' service and companionship with them 
is found one of the dearest memories of my Hfe. 
Alas ! that in so many cases the companionship 
has already been severed by death. Out of the 
one hundred and seventy teachers now here, only 
seven were here when I came. You have quoted 
from the hearty greeting which my old teacher 
and lifelong friend. Doctor Frieze, gave me on 
the day of my inauguration. How valuable were 
his counsels ! How dear was his friendship to 
me to the day of his death ! How in our long 
walks we used to dream dreams of the coming 
greatness and power and beneficence of this Uni- 
versity ! Many of these dreams, thanks in part 
to his labors and influence, have already been 
realized in fact, liesides him death has snatched 
away how many noble and distinguished men 
who had long served the University : Williams — 
good old Doctor Williams, as we always loved to 
call him — Douglas, Sager. Crocker, Morris, Gl- 
uey, Winchell, Campbdl, Walker, Wells, Wat- 
son, Palmer, Crosby, Lyster, Ford, Dunster, the 
brothers Cheever, and Elisha Jones, and last of 
all, the venerable Felch. One has only to call 
this roll (if illustrious names to understand why 
students from all parts of the Union, and from the 
nations beyond the seas, have flocked to these 
halls. They have been drawn hither to sit at the 
feet of these great teachers, and of others like 
them, who, thank God, are still spared to us."' 

In 1871 the Universit\' was presented with 
4,034 volumes on political science and kindred 
subjects by Philo Parsons, of Detroit. In that 
year the University had i.iio students and t,Ti 
instructors, and conferred 302 diplomas. In 1872 
the number of students was 1,224, of whom 64 
were women, and the graduates numbered 341. 
Professor Watson in 1872 discovered three new 
planets, making fourteen in all that had been dis- 
covered at the observatory here since it was built. 
The Steere collection of 4,538 specimens was 
added to the university museum. In 1873 the 
graduates numbered 329. The university in- 
come had now grown to about $100,000. Pro- 
fessor Watson ran the number of planets discov- 
ered at the observatory up to seventeen and was 
given a year's leave of absence to go to Pekin to 
observe the transit of Venus. Universitv Hall 



was completed and dedicated on October 8, 1873. 
Besides the original appropriation of $75,000, 
the legislature had appropriated $25,000 more for 
this building. In the college year 1874-5 the 
students numbered 1,193 ''"^ ''''^ graduates 370. 
There were seventy schools whose graduates were 
admitted to the university on diploma. The legis- 
lature appropriated $8,000 for the building of a 
hospital for the medical department on condition 
that Ann Arbor should contribute $4,000 more. 
Tlie building was erected upon the university 
campus. A dental school was organized on an 
appropriation of $3,000 by the legislature, and 
Dr. Jonathan Taft was appointed professor of 
the principles and practise of operative dentistry 
in the new dental school. At the same time a 
homeopathic medical college was started on an 
appropriation of $6,000 by the legislature, and a 
school of mines upon an appropriation of $8,000. 
Dr. Samuel A. Jones was appointed ])rofessor of 
materia medica and therapeutics, and Dr. John C. 
Alorgan professor of theory and practice, these 
two to constitute the first homeopathic medical 
faculty. Professor \Mlliam H. Pettee was elected 
professor of mining engineering, and Dr. Doug- 
las appointed professor of metallurgy and chem- 
ical technologv and director of the chemical lab- 
oratorv ; and these two constituted the first faculty 
of the school of mines. 

In the college year 1878-Q the numlier of stu- 
dents was 1,376. of whom 134 were women. This 
was an increase in the total number of students 
of 266 in two xears. The legislature made an 
a])propriation of $20,000 for the erection of a 
museum, and of $3,250 for a dental college build- 
ing. Appropriations were also made of $6,500 
for a homeopathic hospital and amphitheater, and 
$2(1,000 for a central boiler house and to provide 
steam heating apparatus for the university build- 
ings. The following year the numlicr of students 
grew to 1 .430. The total appropriations by the 
state from the beginning to this date for the sup- 
port of the uni\-ersitv had been $570,000. An in- 
ventory of the real estate and other property of 
the university taken this year showed a valua- 
tion (if ,$'181,442, or an excess of ,$110,000 over 
the university appropriations. This was partly due 
t(T the donations of citizens and professors. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



647 



In 1S81 the legislature made the then 
unprecedented appropriation of $160,000 for 
the university. Part of this was for the 
building of a library building. In this year 
a new school of political sciences was or- 
ganized. The number of students had increased 
to 1,534, and exactly the same number attended 
the university the following year. In 1883 Sen- 
ator James McMillan, of Detroit, presented the 
university with a valuable Shakesperean library, 
and E. C. Hegeler, of Illinois, J. J. Hagerman. of 
IMilwaukee, and President Andrew D., White, of 
Cornell, ]:)resented the university with a peal of 
five bells. The university appropriations in 1883 
amounted to $37,200 and in 1884 to $27,200. In 
1884 the attendance had dropped to 1.377, owing 
to a falling off in the medical department. In this 
vear Henrv C. Lewis, of Coldwater, left a valu- 
able collection of pictures and statuary to the uni- 
versity, a gift the largest in value ever made to 
the university by a single individual. In 1885-6 
a fund was raised by subscription for the purpose 
of ])urchasing German literature, known as the 
"Goethe Library Fund." .\ new engineering lab- 
oratory was built and every inch of it was occu- 
pied as soon as it was built. In 1886-7 the at- 
tendance grew to 1.572. of whom 265 were 
women. The university appropriations for the 
two years 1887 and 1888 grew to $155,000, of 
which $35,000 was for the construction of a build- 
ing for scientific laboratories. The Oiinesc gov- 
ernment, through the influence of Dr. .Angell. 
presented the university with the Chinese collec- 
tion at the New Orleans E.xposition. In the 
year i888-g the attendance grew to 1,885, ^^'^^ 
largest in the history of the university up to that 
date. The university at this time received $10,000 
from Mrs. Flisha Jones as an endowment for 
one or more classical fellowships. The legisla- 
ture appropriated the sum of $50,000 for a new 
hospital on condition that the city of Ann .\rbor 
should give $25,000 for the same purpose, which 
the citizens of .-\nn Arbor voted to do, aves 936, 
nays 10. 

In the year 1889-go the universit\ for the first 
time exceeded the 2.000 mark in nnmlier of stu- 
dents, the number of students that year ri-aching 
2.159, a larger number than had r\rr before hern 



enrolled in anv .American university. This big 
increase was due largely to the increase in the 
number of literary and law students. The at- 
tendance in the dental college had grown to 103. 
The students at this time came from forty-three 
states and territories and fifteen foreign coun- 
tries and provinces, Japan alone sending twenty- 
one students. It was evident that the law school, 
whose attendance had reached 533, needed much 
larger accommodations, and the ne.xt year pro- 
visions were made for building on an addition to 
the old building. The old imiversity hospital 
was given over to the dental college, and an addi- 
tion built to the old dental college which was now 
opened to the use of students in engineering. The 
third and fourth stories of the south wing of Uni- 
versity Hall were constructed for laboratories for 
totanical and zoological work. Ten and a half 
acres of land a half mile south of the campus 
were purchased for the use of the students in out- 
door sports. Joshua W. Waterman donated $20.- 
000 towards the erection of a gymnasium, pro- 
vided other friends of the university should con- 
tribute a like amount. 

For a number of years the students at the uni- 
versity had agitated the question of a gymnasium. 
The regents were without funds to build one. and 
although an appropriation from the legislature 
was several times asked for, the request was in- 
A-ariably turned down. The feasibility of raising 
funds by private subscription was canvassed at 
length but the first real money ever raised for the 
university gymnasium was reilly raised for an 
entirely different purpose. In an effort to quell 
a postofficc rush, a thing which was then of 
nightly occurrence in the city of Ami Arbor, the 
then mayor of the city had ordered out the local 
company of the state militia who drove back the 
crowds which flocked the streets, but without 
dispersing them, as the students separated, one 
crowd following the rear of the troops while the 
other part were driven ahead, and as the troops 
with fixed ba\<iiuts tried to disperse the crowd 
following in their rear, the students who had been 
in front turned around and followed in the new 
rear. .\ large number of special policemen were 
sworn in and twenty-one arrests of students made 
in one eveninsr. Tlie\' were all thrown into 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



648 

F 

jail together, and when morning came no special 
could tell the inan he had arrested or what any 
individual student was doing when arrested. Con- 
sequently the students were all released. Excite- 
ment among the students ran high and at a public 
meeting two important actions were taken. It 
was "Resolved that we move to Ypsilanti," and 
committees were appointed to carry out this ac- 
tion, Init un fortunate! \' the committees to secure 
accommodations in Ypsilanti, becoming too hilari- 
ous, were locked up by the Ypsilanti police and 
nothing more was heard of this resolution. The 
students at the same time levied an assessment of 
one dollar on each student for the purpose of 
prosecuting an action against the mayor of the 
city for the false imprisonment of the twenty-one 
students who had spent the night in jail. Con- 
siderable over a thousand dollars was raised for 
this purpose, but no suits were ever brought and 
this fund was placed in a bank to constitute the 
first mone}' raised for a gymnasium, to which pur- 
pose it was applied. With this as a starter other 
money was donated by the student lecture asso- 
ciation and other organizations until the fund 
amounted to $6,000 at the time of Mr. Water- 
man's generous gift of $20,000. The under- 
graduate students subscribed $2,447 more, and 
the construction of a gA'mnasium was commenced. 
When the construction was begun it was found 
that $40,000 was not sufficient, and that $20,000 
more was needed for tlie main building and $20,- 
000 in addition for the women's wing. The gym- 
nasium was finally completed in 1894 at a total 
cost of $65,134.14. This did not include the 
women's gymnasium toward which Regent Bar- 
bour gave a lot in Detroit valued at $25,000. Re- 
gent Hubbard secured $10,000 and the women 
of the university raised $15,000 more, and with 
this the Barbour Gymnasium was built. 

The attendance upon the university continued 
to increase, and in 1891-2 it was 2,692. At this 
time the literary department contained 1,330, the 
law department 658, the medical department 370, 
the dental college 188, the school of pharmacy 
81, and the homeopathic college 79. The number 
of women in attendance had materially increased, 
now reaching 531. McMillan Hall had been 
built through the generosity of Hon. James Mc- 
Millan, of Detroit, and Ncwberrv Hall had been 



erected by the Students' Christian Association, 
who had raised a large sum of money for this 
purpose, the principal donation being made by 
]\Irs. Helen S. Newberry, of Detroit. The num- 
ber of volumes in the library had now grown to 
I39'457- I'l 1^93 the state legislature passed 
an act increasing the tax to be levied for the sup- 
port of the university from one-twentieth to one- 
sixth of a mill. In 1894 Tappan Hall was built 
containing class rooms for the use of the literary 
department at a cost of $30,000 for building and 
furniture. In 1894 $40,000 was given to the uni- 
versity library by Dr. C. L. Ford, Miss Jean L. 
Coyl and Hon. Christian H. Buhl. Mr. Buhl's 
bequest was in addition to 5,000 law books which 
he gave the library in 1885. In this year the 
Columbian organ, valued at $25,000, was placed 
in University Hall b}- jirivate subscription. 

The attendance in 1893-4 was 2,874 and in 
1894-5 the 3,000 mark was passed, the number 
being 3,019, of whom 601 were women. .\ sum- 
mer school had been started in 1894. ^'ut while 
its attendance was 187 in 1895, ninety of these 
had been counted in other departments, or in 
other words, were students during the regular 
college session, so that to make up the total of 
3,019 the summer school was counted on for a 
total of 97. In this year the philosophical library 
of Professor George S. Morris, of i.ioo volumes, 
was donated by Mrs. Morris, and Governor 
Felch's library of 3.500 volumes was also donated 
to the university. In 1896 President Angell was 
appointed United States minister to Turkey, and 
Dean Harry P. Hutchins of the law department 
acted as president during his absence. In this 
}'ear a women's dean was for the first time ap- 
pointed, that honor going to Dr. Elisha S. 
?i Tosher. In 1898 the chemical laboratory was en- 
larged, a nurses' home was built at the hospitals, 
and the new law building was completed with 
ample accommodation for a thousand students. 
The new law building has a frontage of 208 feet, 
and a width of 120 feet, and upon it was expended 
the sum of $65,000. An addition was also built 
to the library building for the accommodation of 
an extra 700,000 volumes. 

In 1899-1900 the attendance was 3,441, of 
whom 2,006 were from Michigan and the bal- 
ance from fort\-seven states and territories and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



649 



from foreign countries. A new hospital was 
erected for the homeopathic medical college on 
a site purchased by the city of Ann Arbor at an 
expense to the city of $17,000. This site joins 
the university campus on the northeast. A unique 
collection of musical instruments was presented 
to the university by Frederick Stearns, and Mrs. 
Elizabeth H. Bates bequeathed to the university 
as an endowment for certain purposes in the 
medical department land valued at $130,000. In 
T901 the attendance reached 3,710. The gradu- 
ate school had grown so that there were now 108 
graduate students in attendance. Mrs. Love M. 
Palmer, widow of Dr. Alonzo B. Palmer, for 
thirtv-five years a professor in the medical de- 
partment, bequeathed $20,000 for the erection of 
a ward to the university hospital, and $15,000 as 
an endowment for the maintenance of this ward. 
The legislature also in this year appropriated 
$50,000 for a psychopathic ward. 

A new general catalogue was completed in 
1902, from which it was seen that, down to 1901, 
17,887 persons had been graduated from the Uni- 
versity of Michigan. Of this number, 6,657 were 
graduates in law, 4,553 were graduates of the 
literary department, 3,523 were graduates of med- 
icine, 1,005 were graduates in dental surgery, 
840 of phannacy, 786 in engineering, 372 from 
the homeopathic college, and 151 honorary de- 
grees had been given. Of this number 2,186 
were known to have died. The catalogue con- 
tained the names of 29,728 persons who had been 
for a longer or shorter period enrolled in the 
university, and it was estimated that of this num- 
ber 25,000 were then living. The university 
library now had 165,000 volumes. A new medical 
building had been constructed and a new engi- 
neering building, the most costly of all the build- 
ings on the campus, had been started. Hon. D. 
M. Ferry donated seventeen acres of land adja- 
cent to the athletic field, which now comprises 
about forty acres and was hereafter to be known 
as Ferry Field. A school of forestry was started 
in 1903 which bid fair to become an important 
adjunct to the university. A Pasteur Institute 
was organized and has already relieved a large 
number of patients. By 1904 the attendance in 
the university had reached 3,957 and the students 



came from every state and territory, except Dela- 
ware and South Carolina. The university library 
now contained 182,680 volumes, 4,000 pamphlets 
and 2,250 maps. The university hospital had re- 
ceived during the year 2,382 and the homeopathic 
hospital 1.727 patients. The Pasteur Institute 
had treated during the year about thirty cases of 
persons bitten by dogs supposed to be mad. The 
attendance at the summer school had grown to 
647. In 1905 the attendance passed the 4,000 
mark and totaled 4,136, and already for the year 
1906 the enrollment reaches 4,521. The attend- 
ance at the last summer session was 690. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE STATE NORMAI, COLLEGE. 

The State Normal College is located at Ypsi- 
lanti. Until recent years it was known as the 
Ypsilanti Normal school. When it was first 
opened there were but five normal schools in the 
United States, the oldest of which was fourteen 
vears of age. There was no school west of Al- 
bany, New York. "Father" Pierce, who did so 
much toward founding the Michigan school sys- 
tem, with the university as its cap sheaf, as early 
as 1837 in his first report to the new state of 
Michigan referred to nonnal schools in outlining 
a school system for the state, but did not recom- 
mend the immediate establishment of one. Suc- 
ceeding superintendents referred to normal col- 
leges without recommendations, but in 1847 M'"- 
Pierce, in the report of the board of visitors to 
the university which he wrote, urged the estab- 
lishment of a normal school and the appropria- 
tion of Salt Spring lands for this purpose. Va- 
rious bills were introduced in the legislature look- 
ing toward this end, but it was not until March 
28, 1849, that the governor was enabled to sign 
an act organizing a normal school. This act 
created a state board of education of three mem- 
bers, appointed by the governor, together with 
the lieutenant-governor, state superintendent of 
public instruction and state treasurer. The first 
board consisted of Samuel Barstow, Randolph 



650 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Alamiing-, Samuel Xewlierry, Francis W. Sher- 
man and William M. Fenton, which was soon 
changed by the substitution of Isaac E. Crary 
and Elias M. Skinner for Randolph Manning 
and Samuel Newberry, and the addition of State 
Treasurer George P. Cooper. The legislature 
appropriated twenty-five acres of Salt Springs 
lands for the support of the new institution. 
Propositions were received for the location of the 
new school in the form of bids, and in September, 
1849, Ypsilanti, Jackson, Marshall, Gull Prairie 
and Niles applied for the location of the school. 
Ypsilanti offered $13,500, and. upon certain 
conditions, the salary of the principal teacher of 
the model school for not exceeding five years at 
no more than $700 a }-ear. Jackson offered land 
for a site and $10,335. Marshall oft'ered five 
acres of land. Niles offered land for a site and 
$5,000. Gull Prairie, in Kalamazoo count}', of- 
fered land and $7,364 in cash. Gull Prairie today 
has not even attained the dignity of having ob- 
tained a postoffice, but they put up a strong argu- 
ment as being retired just enough to be free from 
dissipating and immoral influences, with low liv- 
ing expenses, and as the point "that Nature or 
the God of Nature had arranged for the special 
accommodation of the State Normal School of 
Michigan," The board, after examining the 
propositions, selected Ypsilanti, as offering the 
most liberal proposition and a site convenient of 
access to all parts of the state in a village large 
enough to furnish every facility for boarding 
students. Several sites in Ypsilanti were placed 
at the disposal of the board. Finally the site 
where the main IniiMing of the normal school 
now stands was selected and four acres were 
donated by the citizens of Ypsilanti. Subse- 
quently the board purchased adjoining property, 
causing the original site to contain six acres. A 
three story brick building, 102 x 56 feet in size, 
was erected and dedicated on October 5, 1852, 
costing $15,200. Of this amount $12,000 was 
paid by the citizens of Ypsilanti. The remain- 
der of the cost of furnishing was paid out of the 
sale of Salt Spring lands. The total cost of build- 
ing and furnishing was $20,296.64. This build- 
ing was burned on Friday night, October 28, 



1859. together with the furniture and a library of 
1,500 volumes. It was insured for $8,000. Tem- 
porary c|uarters were secured for the school and 
within a week a contract was made with Benja- 
min Follett to repair the burned building. Con- 
siderable alterations were made in the plan of the 
building and a practically new building was 
ready for occupancy in April, i860. 

Early in the history of the school attempts 
were made to provide for physical culture but the 
legislature failed to make the desired appropria- 
tions. About 1861 a small building costing about 
$1,200 saved out of the ordinary appropriation 
made for the school, was constructed and fur- 
nished with some inexpensive apparatus, but there 
were no funds for the employment of a special 
teacher, and instruction was consequently irregu- 
lar and intermittent. The "old gymnasium" was 
burned with its contents on the night of August 
I, 1873. 

At one time the proposed establishment of an 
agricultural college was placed in charge of the 
board of education which had charge of the Ypsi- 
lanti Normal School, and in March, 1864, it was 
proposed by P)enjamin Follett, of Ypsilanti, that 
the board of education establish an agricultural 
librarv and cabinet on the normal school grounds, 
the board to appropriate $2,000 for the erection of 
such a building on condition that the citizens of 
Ypsilanti raise $3,000. The citizens also pro- 
posed to raise $250 a year to make collections for 
the librarv and nuiseum on condition that the 
board appropriate an equal amount. The propo- 
sition was accepted by the board and a building 
70 X 40 feet, two stories high, was erected for 
this purpose. Its completion, however, was de- 
layed so long that it was not finished until the 
fall of 1865. P)\- this time the interest in the 
project had been lost on the part of agricultur- 
ists, and the agricultural society which had ex- 
pended $3,250 on the Iniilding assigned all its 
rights to the board of education. In 1869 the 
legislature appropriated $7,500 to complete this 
building and to grade the normal school grounds, 
and in January, 1870, the name of the building 
was changed from Normal Museum to the New 
Normal School Building. From its completion 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



651 



until 1882 it was used for the training school. 
Since 1882 it has been largely occupied by the 
conservatory of music, which, from 1886 to 
March, 1897, occupied the upper story. 

In 1872 the legislature api)ropriated $30,000 
for an addition to the main building of the Nor- 
mal. This addition was 88x93 *'^et- ^"<^1 '" build- 
ing it the old part of the building was remodeled 
and raised so that the total cost exceeded the ap- 
propriation by about $13,000. Of this excess the 
citizens of Ypsilanti contributed $2,000 for the 
buihiing of the tower at the north corner and the 
balance was paid out of the current expense fund 
of the institution. In 1881 another appropriation 
of $25,000 was made for the building of a second 
addition to the main building, 112x53 feet in size, 
to be devoted to the training school and for in- 
creasing the facilities of the Xormal department. 
The new addition was read\' for occupanc\- in 
-September, 1882. 

In 1887 the legislature approjiriated .$60,000 
with which two wings were erected on the north 
and south side of the central building, each about 
100 feet in length and about 50 feet wide. At the 
same time a separate boiler house was erected. 
The rapid increase in attendance at the Normal 
had made im]ierative the erection of larger quar- 
ters. In 1892 two more additions were made for 
laboratories, each 24x30 feet in size and costing 
$8,000. 

The University of Michigan had time and 
again tried to get an appropriation from the legis- 
lature for a university gymnasium, but without 
success. In fact the legislature never appropriated 
a dollar for the university gvmnasium. The rural 
legislators always maintained that sawbucks 
were all the g^annastic apparatus necessary for 
the maintenance of good health. The Ypsilanti 
Normal, however, was more fortunate, or rather 
their application for a gymnasium was more dip- 
lomatically put. In all the talk before the legis- 
lature, the word "gymnasium" was tabooed, and 
in 1893 'I'l appropriation of $20,000 was secured 
for the erection of a building for "physical cul- 
ture." The procuring of a site for this liuilding 
proved difficult, and in this emergency the citi- 
zens of Ypsilanti, by voluntary snbscri])tion. 
raised enough money to buy an acre on the south 



side of Cross street, opposite the Normal campus, 
and on this the new building was located. The 
new building, looxioo feet in size and devoted in 
equal parts to the use of the young women and 
young men. was dedicated on May 18, 1894. 

The increase in attendance upon the Normal 
began to crowd the quarters of the training 
school, and in 1895 $25,000 was appropriated for 
the erection of a training school building. The 
site question again became troublesome, l)ut the 
citizens of Ypsilanti again came to the rescue and 
agreed to purchase and donate a site, which was 
done at a cost to the city of $8,500. This new 
site upon which the training school is located con- 
sists of three acres just west of the old campus. 
The new training school building was first oc- 
cupied in .\pril. 1897. 

In November. 1895. Mrs. Mary Starkweather, 
of Ypsilanti, gave the Students' Christian Associa- 
tion $10,000 towards the erection of Starkweather 
Hall, the beautiful home of the Students' Christian 
Association. The association had been endeavor- 
ing to raise money for some time and had secured 
over $1,000 when Mrs. Starkweather's gift en- 
abled them to proceed with the' erection of the 
building. The new building was completed and 
dedicated on March 26, 1897. at a cost of $11,000. 
It is 62x56 feet in size, constructed of field stone, 
and is admirably arranged for the puryiose for 
which it is intended. 

After the burning of the library of 1,500 
volumes in 1859 an attempt was made to secure 
an appropriation for a new library, but the excit- 
ing events of the Civil war occupied the center 
of the stage and no appropriation could be se- 
cured. An appeal was made to the Normal stu- 
dents themselves, and the students agreed they 
each would pay $2 over and above the regular en- 
trance fee to be applied for the purpose of books. 
Shortly after this the board appropriated $2 of 
the entrance fee of each student for library pur- 
poses, but soon this was discontinued and each 
student was required to pay an annual library fee 
of 50 cents. In 1872 the library contained only 
1.200 volumes. A small appropriation was se- 
cured from the legislature and the number was in- 
creased in 1876 to 1,600 volumes. In 1881 the li- 
brary had 2.100 volumes, and from this date its 



652 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



growth began. In 1884 there were 6,000 vohimes, 
and by 1899 the nnniber liad reached 20,000. In 
five years 7,000 vokimes were added, making a 
total of 27,000 in 1004. The first salaried liljrarian 
was appointed in 1884 and was Miss Florence 
Goodison, who served until 1890. William S. 
Burns was librarian in 1891, and in 1892 Miss 
Genevieve M. \\'alton was appointed librarian, 
and she is still acting in that capacity. 

The first principal of the Normal was Professor 
A. S. Welch, who was born in Easthampton, 
Conn., in April, 1821, and graduated from the 
University of Michigan in 1846. He was princi- 
pal of the Union school at Jonesville, the first 
school of the kind in the state. His success here 
led to his appointment as principal of the Nor- 
mal in 1832. The first term of the Normal 
opened Jtlarch 29, 1853. In 1859 Professor 
Welch spent a year in Europe, and during his ab- 
sence Professor J. M. B. Sill, who had been 
teaching in the school from the beginning, acted 
as principal. On Professor Welch's return from 
Europe he continued as principal until Septem- 
ber, 1865. when he resigned on account of ill- 
health, going to Florida where, in 1867, he was 
elected to fill out a short term in the United States 
senate. In i8fi8 he was made president of the 
Agricultural College of Iowa, which position he 
filled for 15 years, finally resigning on account of 
ill-health, but remaining with the institution as 
professor emeritus until his death in March, 
1889. 

Professor David Porter Mayhew succeeded 
Professor Welch as principal in 1865. He was a 
graduate of Union college in the class of 1837, 
and had been principal of the Lowville (New 
York) Academy for 15 years; had taught a year 
in Cleveland and a year in Columbus, and from 
1856 was a teacher of sciences in the Normal, 
until his appointment as principal in 1865. He 
resigned the principalship in 1871. He resided in 
Detroit until his death. 

For a short time Professor C. F. R. Bellows 
acted as principal. He was born in New Hamp- 
shire in October, 1832; graduated from the Nor- 
mal School in 1855, and took an engineering de- 
gree in the university in 1864. In 1864 he was 
appointed to the chair of mathematics in the Nor- 
mal School, which he occupied for 24 years. When 



the Central Michigan Normal School was organ- 
ized at Mount Pleasant, Professor Bellows was 
appointed its principal, a position which he subse- 
quently resigned and he returned to Ypsilanti. 

Joseph Estabrook was appointed principal of 
the Normal in 1 87 1. Professor Estabrook was 
born in I'.ath, N. H., July 3, 1820. He gradu- 
ated from r.erlin in 1847, and afterwards re- 
ceived the degrees of A. M. and D. D. from this 
college. From 1853 to 1866 he was principal of 
the schools at Ypsilanti, and seems to have left a 
great impress upon the crimmunitv. He was then 
made superintendent of the East Saginaw schools 
until 1871. (^n leaving the Normal, in 1880, he 
went to Olivet college, where he remained until 
his death. He had served as state sujierinten- 
dent of instruction for fom- years, and as regent 
of the university for six years. 

In 1880 Malcom McVicar, a Scotchman by 
birth, was appointed principal, which position 
he held but one year, resigning to become a mem- 
ber of the faculty of a Baptist college in Toronto, 
Can. He was a Baptist minister and had re- 
ceived the degree of B. A, from Rochester Uni- 
versity, Ph. n. from the I^niversity of New York, 
and LL. D. from the I^nivcrsitv of Rochester. In 
1888 he was appointed chancellor of MacMaster 
University. 

After Professor Mc\'icar left the institution. 
Professor Daniel Putnam acted as principal imtil 
1883. He was born in New Hampshire, January 
28, 1824, graduated from Dartmouth in 1851, 
came to Michigan in 1854. and was professor of 
the Latin language and literature in Kalamazoo 
College for seven years, and for one year acted 
as president of the college. In 1868 he accepted 
a professorship in the Normal school, and has re- 
mained with the institution since that date. He 
has served Ypsilanti both as mayor and alderman. 
He holds the degree of LL. D. from the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, conferred in 1897. 

Edwin Willetts was the next principal and was 
appointed in 1883, remaining until 1885, when 
he became president of the Agricultural College at 
Lansing. Mr. Willetts was born in New York 
April 24, 1830, came to Michigan in 1837. gradu- 
ated from the L^niversity of INIichigan in 18551 
was an editor and then a lawyer, prosecuting at- 
tornev, member of the state board of education. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



653 



postmaster, member of the constitutional conven- 
tion of 1873, and from 1876 to 1880 a member of 
congress. In 1889 he was made assistant secre- 
tary of agriculture at Washington, and in 1894 
opened a law office in Washington, where he died 
October 23, 1896. 

Professor J. M. B. Sill, who was principal of 
the Normal school from 1886 to 1893, was born 
near Buflfalo, N. Y., October 23, 1831, graduated 
from the Normal school in 1854. and was made 
an instructor in the school before graduation, re- 
maining until T863. when he was elected superin- 
tendent of the Detroit schools. For 10 years, from 
1865, he was principal of the Detroit Female 
Seminary, and in 1875 was again made superin- 
tendent of the Detroit schools, which he held until 
his appointment as principal of the Normal. In 
1893 he retired from the principalship and was 
soon afterwards appointed United States minister 
to Korea, which position he held for four years. 
Fie returned broken down in health and soon 
afterwards died in Detroit. 

Richard G. Boone succeeded Professor Sill 
first as principal and later, with the reorganiza- 
tion of the educational system, as president of 
all the normal colleges with a special charge over 
the Ypsilanti Normal, President Boone was born 
in Indiana in 1849, ^nd his entire life has been 
spent in teaching, his special subject being peda- 
gogy. He remained with the college until Sep- 
tember I, 1899, when he was made superintendent 
of the Cincinnati public schools. 

In August, 1S09, '"J'l the adoption of the new 
normal system, Professor Elmer A. Lyon was 
made principal of the Michigan State Normal 
College, as the Ypsilanti Normal came to be 
called. He was born in Manchester, Vt., July 
27. 1861, graduated from the University of 
Michigan in 1886. and from 1890 to 1898 was 
an instructor in mathematics in the university. In 
1898 he was made professor of mathematics in 
the Normal. 

Dr. .Albert Leonard was the second Normal 
president, succeeding President Boone. He was 
born in Ohio in 1857, graduated from Ohio 
University, and \vas made a professor in Syracuse 
University in 1897. For many years he has been 
editor of the Journal of Pedagogy. He resigned 
his position in 1901. 



Professor Lewis H. Jones then became presi- 
dent of the normal college, which position he 
still holds. 

The various preceptresses of the Normal since 
its organization have been Miss Abigail C. Rog- 
ers, 1853-1855 ; Miss Sarah Allen, 1855-1859 
(afterwards married James L. Patton) ; Mrs. 
Aldrich Ripley, 1859-1867; Miss Ruth Hoppin, 
1867-1881 ; Miss Julia Anne King, 1881, to the 
present date. 

In 1854 the attendance upon the Normal de- 
partment was 1,836, and in the training school 
there were twenty-seven pupils, and at the 
commencement of this year there were 
three graduates. By i860 the Normal at- 
tendance had grown to 427 and the train- 
ing school to 84, although in the previous year 
there had been as high as 237 pupils enrolled in 
the training school. The Civil war had its effect 
upon the Normal attendance, and bv 1866 the at- 
tendance on the Xnrnial proper had dropped to 
265. From this time on a gradual increase is 
shown. The attendance in 1885 in the Normal 
department was 520, in 1890 was 808, in 1895 
was 954, in 1899 ^^'^^ 1.029, and in 1904, includ- 
ing the six weeks summer session, was 1.770. L'p 
to 1904, 5.005 students had graduated from the 
Normal. The training school attendance bv 1875 
had reached 200, and by 1890 was 284. 

The teaching of music in the Normal began 
in 1884, under Professor .\lbert Miller, Profes- 
sor E. M. Foote succeeded him in 1858, and Pro- 
fessor F, H. Pease has held the position of head 
of the department of music since 1863. In 1868 
vocal music was made a part of the regular 
course. The Normal Conservatory of Music was 
organized in 1881 and has since had from 150 
to 200 pupils a year. It has been exceedingly 
prosperous and Professor Pease holds a high po- 
sition in the musical world. 

The war fever ran hi.gh at the Normal College 
in 1861, and several Normal boys went out with 
the First regiment, which reached Washington 
May 16, 1861, and took part in the battle of Bull 
Run. Many more, how'ever, were refused permis- 
sion to go on the ground that this regiment was 
filled. A Normal company was formed in 1862, 
under the captaincy of Gabriel Campbell, who had 
graduated in 1861. It was mustered into the 



654 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Seventeenth Infantry as Company E and served 
at Sonth ]\Iountain, Antietam, Fredericksbnri; 
and Vicksburg;. It had traveled 2,100 miles in its 
first year of service, and was called "Burnside's 
Class in Geography." It was also at Knoxville, 
the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvaiiia and 
Petersburg'. It lost 13 killed out of 89 members 
during the war. Duriiig the war of the Rebellion 
30 Normal school pupils died at the front. In 
all, 159 Normal students were known to have 
enlisted in the war. 

The State Normal college now consists of 
seven buildings, with a campus of 15 acres. It 
has the following departments : Pedagogy, his- 
tory, ancient classics, modern classics, mathe- 
matics, physical sciences, natural sciences, draw- 
ing, geography, physical training, music — to- 
gether with the training school. The number of 
instructors in 1904 was 57 and the number of 
graduates in the years 1903 and 1904 was 613. 
The value of the grounds, buildings, lilirarv and 
apparatus is estimated at $444,637.59, and the 
legislative ap])ropriation for the year ending 
June 30, 1904, was $110,805, and fur the year 
ending June 30. 11)05, $103,210. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

FIRST CICRMAX SETTF.EMKNT. 

This article was written by Professor .\ndrew 
Ten Brook in 1894: The honor can scarcely be 
denied to Conrad Bissinger of being the first 
German to arrive in this place and one of the 
first to take up land in this vicinitv. Mr. P)issin- 
ger arrived on the ground September i, 1825. He 
remembers well that in the month after his ar- 
rival on the site of the future city, Dewitt Clin- 
ton, governor of New York, made his trium])hal 
trip from Albany to BuflFalo and back, taking 
with him on his return a keg of Lake Erie's 
water, which he poured into the Bav of New 
York, symbolically setting forth the union of 
the salt water of the ocean with the fresh water 
of the great lakes. Pie remembers well the un- 
precedented excitement caused in 1826 by the 



abduction of William Morgan in western New 
York, and his subsequent murder. Mr. Bissin- 
ger was born in Mannheim, the largest city of 
the Grand Duchy of Baden, where he learned the 
baker's trade. On his arrival in .\nn Arbor there 
was nothing in the place for a baker to do. A 
few log houses, with the stumpy clearings made 
l)y the settlers' axes marked the site of the city, 
and, keeping the place in mind as that of his 
probable future settlement, he sat out for parts 
where he might earn money bv his trade. He 
went to Charleston, S. C, there remained three 
years and earned enough to buv government 
lands. Without coming on himself he bought 
land in the neighboring town of Scio. The pur- 
chase was made in 1828. The patent bears the 
name of .\ndrew Jackson. 

Mr. Bissinger did not like Calhoun's doctrine 
of nullification, which was then already rife in 
.South Carolina, and he left fiir the north. His 
first vote was cast for General Jackson as presi- 
dent of the L^nited States, doubtless for his 
second term, and he thinks that if the country 
had had such a president at the time of the 
Civil war this would never have come. He re- 
mained in the east and did not take possession 
of his pro])erty until 1831. He was 92 years old 
in January last ( 1894) and shows nothing to 
suggest that he may not survive for several 
years. His memory holds a fimd which it is 
indeed delightful to draw ujion. ]\Ir. liissinger 
has a near relative, who was a minister of state, in 
Munich, the capital of Bavaria. 

Daniel F. .\llmendinger was the earliest of the 
German settlers of .'\nn Arbor, who was per- 
sonal! \- known to me up to the time of begin- 
ning my present inquiries. He came from the 
old country, like many others, first to Pennsyl- 
vania, afterwards made his way thence, carry- 
ing in his knapsack all his possessions, to Dan- 
ville in western New York, whence he migrated 
to .Vnn Arbor, as nearly as T can learn, about 
the }ear 1829. 

Henrw f>r using the German name, Heinrich, 
Mann brought his family to .\nn .\rbor in 1830. 
They had remained in Detroit several weeks 
while Mr. ^lann was visiting other places in 
order to learn where he might settle to best ad- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



655 



vantage. Such was still the ccinditiim of the 
roads at the time of the removal that a team 
of horses occupied three days in transporting the 
party with their goods to this place. 

Mr. Mann was a tanner by trade. He came 
over to Pennsylvania leaving his family at Stutt- 
gart, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg. He 
went from P'ennsylvania to the city of Mexico. 
and on his way thence with the money he had 
earned, defended himself with his fists against 
the attempt of an armed Spaniard to rob him. 
The family joined him and made their home at 
Reading, Pa., until thev set out for their future 
home. I have referred to the remarkable family 
of the Muhlenbergs. It is of interest to note 
here that the Reverend Henry Muhlenberg, a 
grandson of the apostle of the American Lu- 
theran church, whose family I have sketched, was 
at the time pastor in Reading of the church which 
the Manns attended, and his wife was the daugh- 
ter of Governor Heisler. 

Mr. Mann bought the lot, corner of Washing- 
ton and First streets, in Ann Arbor, where his 
daughter, widow of the late -\ugust Hutzel, now 
lives, for $12, the one ne.xt it on First street for 
a pair of shoes. The family is numerous. The 
late Emanuel Mann, once a member of our state 
senate, was a son of Henrv Mann. 

Many of the German people now in our city 
came over as farmers and settled first on farm- 
ing lands. John Koch, now with his wife com- 
fortably spending his old age in a house of his 
own in the Second ward, is an e.xample of the 
Wurtemberg farmer, though he left his native 
kingdom at too early an age to have been initi- 
ated into the ancestral life. .Arriving in this 
country in 1831, he labored as a farm hand. When 
able to do so, he purchased 40 acres of land. 
This was a kind of nest egg, and he went on add- 
ing thereto, or rather, selling at an advance and 
buying larger farms, until he was owner of 
nearly 1,000 acres, which he conveyed to his 
children and came, some 20 years ago. to reside in 
the city. 

.\ word in regard to German tillage in the 
fatherland will throw light on what we see 
around us. German farms, where the surface ad- 
mits of it. are long, narrow strips, often hut two 



or three rods wide. The terminal points of their 
boundaries are marked by stones set firmly in 
the earth. No fences disfigure the landscape, 
and, of course, no land is lost between the own- 
ers. Law regulates the details of tillage. The 
ends of the strips most distant from the highway 
must be first seeded, that there mav be no driving 
over the sown ground. Each may drive one 
wheel in the furrow which separates his own 
from his neighbor's land. Precipitous places 
modify the aspect, these Ijeing terraced and be- 
set with vine, or other small fruits. The grass 
is cut and conveyed to the enclosures in which 
the domestic animals are kept. Where the lands 
are thus laid out, the people live in small villages, 
or hamlets, and not on the farms they till, and 
the view of an undulating landscape thus cut up 
and tilled is the most enchanting conceivable. It 
is in summer as if mother nature has spread a 
great striped quilt over the earth's bed. The lines 
between farms are the seams of the thread ; the 
foliage and bloom of the plants which cover the 
ground show all the various and varying colors 
of the land's flora, liut the poor bov in south 
Germany can not hope to have a farm for which 
a must pay 500 to 700 florins ($200 to $280) an 
acre ; and hence their settlement and thrift here, 
where they dig up every stump and make every 
foot of ground pay them tribute. 

John George Schairer is one of five brothers, 
all named John, four of them of course known 
only by middle names. Mr. Schairer came over 
as a youth, learned here the shoemaker's trade, 
and is still industriously pounding awav on his 
lapstone. His immigration was in 1836. He soon 
felt the need of informing himself of the political 
matters of the country, bought a spelling book 
and l.ie.ijan with the English alphabet to prepare 
himself to gather the needed information. His 
memory is a mine upon which one draws with 
satisfaction. It is an interesting fact that his 
wife's sister, Mrs. Ebinger, removed from Ann 
.\rbor to Chicago when but few houses occupied 
the site of that now great citw walking most of 
the way. attended by the o.x wagon which car- 
ried the household goods. 

Conrad Krapf came also in 1836. but from an- 
other section, the electorate of Hesse-Cassel. He 



656 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



is able to add some interesting items to what I 
have already related of the Hessians hired by 
Great Britain to put down the American rebel- 
lion of 1776- 1782. These men not only did not 
know whether they were being conveyed across 
the water, and did not only themselves not re- 
ceive the pay for their services, but even the 
pensions to which they were entitled after the 
war, went into the hands of the electoral gov- 
ernment, and were never paid over to them. In 
the year 1830, 47 years after the close of the 
war. a professor at ]\Iarburg brought this fact 
to light, and four persons, soine of them widows, 
wlio were entitled to pensions, received these un- 
til their respective deaths. It is no wonder that 
Germans even now, when they view the splendid 
grounds and buildings of the elector, curse him 
for his oppressions. 

Mr. Krapf tells of his intense sighing for free- 
dom in his boyhood, and says that a friend, know- 
ing this' feeling, handed him a little book, saying: 
"Here, Conrad, read this, and when you are 
through with it hand it to no one but me." The 
passage which he cites from that book sounds 
like quotations from our declaration of indepen- 
dence. Thus is explained his emigration. Ho 
was a carpenter and worked fir.st for Richard 
Glazier, of the Society of Friends, wliose princi- 
ples were nearly identical with his own. If anv 
who knew Mr. Krapf shall be inclined to regard 
his intensely earnest utterances against oppression 
and injustice as an exaggeration, let them re- 
member that he came from electoral Hesse. 

Young mechanics in Germany, on the comple- 
tion of their apprenticeship, were formerly 
obliged by law, and during my own residence 
there, by custom, to travel from place to place 
for work. Our word journeyman probably 
originated in such a practice. Mr. Krapf affirms 
my own observations on this subject. He wan- 
dered over the lands of central Europe, German 
and French, as a Ilandwerks-Rurch — for such is 
the term used. The supposition was that these 
yoiuig men would thus learn all the dififerent 
kinds of work and customs of the craft. .\ little 
knapsack contained their tools and a few articles 
of clothing. About one cent a night would pa\' 
their lodgings in some farmer's barn. Inns — 



called in Germany Herbergs — existed in all the 
cities with special reference to their wants. These 
had each its Herbergs-mutter to exercise a ma- 
tronly care over them. Besides his mother 
tongue j\Ir. Krapf could command enough of 
French and even Latin to make known his wants. 
There is a little volume written by one Holthaus 
translated from the German into English bv 
Mary Howitt entitled "Wanderings of a Jour- 
neyman Tailor," sketching his own journeyings 
for work all over central Europe and to Egypt 
and Palestine, from which book one may gather 
a fair notion of the system. I liave myself seen 
these journeymen and talked with them from 
single ones to squads of a dozen. Here is one 
with shoes that have been picked up and are 
not mates and neither covers the foot ; he is clad 
throughout accordingly and so on through the 
crowd. Such has been the condition from which 
many have come to this countr_v to found a thrifty 
business. The late Emanuel ]\Iann once told me 
his recollections of this life as observed in his 
boyhood. 

It was still true when I was in Bavaria that 
no one could start a lausiness without permission 
from the go\'ernment authorities, who were to 
judge whether such business was demanded. This 
right must be paid for and it descended like other 
property as an inheritance in the family of the 
purchaser. The system was like our American 
slavery, in this respect, that the government could 
not justly get rid of it without paying the hold- 
ers of these charters their fair market value. 
The case was worse for the government than that 
of our slavery for the government actually 
had received the value of these charters 
while slave-traders had received the price of the 
slaves. The foregoing paragraphs will show 
from what state of things our earliest Gennan 
settlers came. 

Christian Eberbach came over in 1838. He 
was educated in Stuttgart for an apothecary, 
which business did not exist then in .\nn .-Xrhnr. 
as separate from general merchandise. He did 
not at once set up for himself, but was for a 
while clerk for William S. Maynard, and after- 
wards estalilished his present business, Emanuel 
Mann having been associated with him as part- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



657 



ner. The parents of Philip Bach, our oldest dry- 
goods merchant, were farmers from the Grand 
Duchy of Baden. They came to Pennsylvania in 
1829; to Ann Arbor in 1835. 

Auerbach's novel entitled "Auf der Hohe" (On 
the Hight) has been set dnwn in a list nf the 10 
best novels ever written. It doubtless ])ictures 
the court life under Maximilian II, of Bavaria, 
for about the time of my residence there. The 
story of ]\Iargaretha Schnapp and her son, of 
which I have given a hint, might be made the 
basis of an equally gra])hic picture of the jiopular 
life of the same period. For, to the details of her 
life in Bavaria, which I have but touched upon, 
should be added those of the years spent in this 
country. When we were about to set out for 
home the son was off in the wandering life of a 
journeyn;an shoemaker, and could ncit be reached 
by letter. Meanwhile she had spent the money 
she had laid up in our service, and I sent the 
means for both to come over. This is doubtless 
the only instance which ever occurred in Ann 
Arbor of the heads of a family being addressed 
as Gnaediger Flerr and Gnaedige Frau ; these 
terms of deference she always continued to use. 

In the early summer of 1868 the German 
Methodist pastor in Ann Arbor received a letter 
from a former parishioner, asking him to suggest 
some one who would make him a good wife : 
Margaret was named. ]\Iy daughter got up an 
entertainment for the occasion, and she and an- 
other young lady served a partv of about 20, 
seated at the humble pastor's table, and our Mar- 
.garet became the mistress of a good farm house 
in Ohio. Some 15 years had elapsed, and. about 
to die, she called her son and bade him write 
me of her decease. The letter would do honor to 
a college graduate. 

THE P.ETIIELEM LUTHER.\N CHURCH. 



November 3d, next following Pastor Schmid's ar- 
rival, measures were taken for building a house 
of w(jrslii]). At a meeting held on that day, 15 
members were present, as follows: J. H. Mann, 
George Stattman, Jacob Maerkle, George Mayle. 
Charles Bruschc. .\braham Cromann, John Beck, 
Jacob Steft'e, John M. Schneider. Jacob Stoll- 
steimer, Johann Cromann, Jesaja Cromaim, Jo- 
seph Cromann, D. F. Allmendinger and Frederic 
Schmid. the new pastor. Of these, Messrs. Mann 
and .Allmendinger were chosen as trustees and 
the work of the building was at once determined 
upon, for which a lot, two miles west of the site 
of the Ann Arbor courthouse, was given by Mr. 
Allmendinger. 

There is often the deepest interest felt in earlv 
religious services. These people, if any of them 
knew the English language for business or social 
purposes, could not as yet have had the least en- 
joyment of it as a medium or religious teaching, 
and would have felt no unction in listening to its 
empty words. Nay. these would have but mocked 
the deep hunger of their souls for that which 
they had left in the fatherland. We can con- 
ceive then how the little companv must have felt 
when the young pastor discoursed to them for the 
first time in the school houses from the words : 
"Other foundations can no man la\' than that is 
laid, which is Jesus Christ." ()f the hymn from 
1 Idler's collection, sung in harmony with the im- 
port of the discourse, I translate a stanza, imitat- 
ing the measure and rhymes of the original, as 
follows : 

The ground on which I firm will stand 
Is Jesus Christ, God's onlv son; 

Rise heights, sink depths on either hand, 
I cannot from this faith be won ; 

Called weak, in worldly wisdom's boast, 
I'm taught thus bv the Holv Ghost. 



The elder [Mann early wrote to the Basle 
Evangelical Missionary society for a missionary. 
Frederic Schmid was commissioned in the spring 
of 1833 for this service, and arrived on the 
ground in .August following. He helrl his first 
public worship on August 26th, in a schoolhouse, 
four miles west of the initial village. As early as 



This was the first German church organized in 
the territory of Michigan. The house of worship 
was completed in less than two months, having 
been dedicated at the end of December. 1833, the 
whole cost being $265.32. This amount was given 
partly by friends in Stuttgart and others in 
Pennsvlvania. 



658 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Congregations founded near the same time in 
Detroit and Monroe, were ministered to in ad- 
dition to his charge in Ann Arbor by Pastor 
Schmid, who performed liis earliest journeys 
thither on foot. It is worth a remark that this 
first little house of worship was kept as a kind 
of historic memento until 1891, when a photo- 
graph of it was taken, that its form and style 
might not perish from memory, and the building 
itself was destroyed. The cemetery is, however, 
kept in good condition and it is well worth a 
walk in pleasant weather out two miles on the 
territorial road to see it; 

Members of the congregation in the village it- 
self so increase.d in numbers that as early as 1840 
arrangements were made for holding a part of 
the services there, and at first the use of the Pres- 
byterian church was obtained for this, the ser- 
vice being at hours when the church was not oc- 
cupied by its own people, and in 1844 measures 
were entered upon for building in the village. 

Pastor Schmid, whose term of service was ex- 
tended to about double the time of any pastorate 
in the place (38 years) deserves a personal no- 
tice. He came over as a young man, married the 
daughter of Mr. Mann, whose correspondence 
with the fatherland had brought him to Michigan 
and raised here a family. His eldest son, 
Emanuel Schmid, graduated from the university 
in 1854, spent about two years in Germany, and 
has since been, and is now, professor of history 
in the Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. An- 
other son is now among the most prominent 
men in .-\nn .\rbor's business. Two Lutheran 
church edifices are now being built and a third 
is in contemplation as the issue of the settlement 
described in this paper. There is also in the place 
a German ^Methodist church, while not a few of 
the early German immigrants are members of 
other protestant churches. 



CHAPTER XV 



Rl.EC'TTON STATISTICS. 



early had a stronghold in the county, but this 
did not last long, and for a few years the county 
was fairly close between the democratic and the 
whig parties. It went for the whig candidate for 
president in 1840, the democratic candidate in 
1844, 1848 and 1852, and for the republican can- 
didate in 1856 and i860. In 1864 it switched 
back to the democrats and remained with them 
in 1 868. In 1872, although a strong democratic 
county, it gave a majority for Grant, as against 
Greeley, but from that time down to 1896 it went 
democratic at presidential elections, and usuall}' 
elected democratic county officers. But McKin- 
lev received a majority in the county in 1896, 
and from that time down to the present the 
county has been republican at presidential elec- 
tions, although usually democratic on candidates 
for governor, and the county officers have usually 
been divided between the two parties. 

The election returns tell the tale better than 
words, and are here given from 1827. when the 
first election was held in the county, down to 

1905- 

1827. 

Congress — 

.\ustin E. Wing 109 

Jcihn I'.iddle 123 14 

Gabriel Richard 15 

Representatives — 

Henry Rumsey loi 27 

.\bel A-Iillington 74 

Benjamin J. WoodruiT 62 

Jdhn Allen 40 

1829. 

Congress — 

John Piddle 338 236 

Galiriel Richards 102 

John R. Williams 4 

Representative — 

James Kingsley 320 217 

Elias M. Skinner 103 



The countv of Washtenaw has not always 
been of the same politics. The anti-Masonic party 



1831. 
Congress — 

Samuel W. Dexter, anti-mason. . 410 
A, E. Wins:, demo, or masonic. . 233 
John R. Williams, adm 5 



177 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



659 



Representatives — 

James Kingsley, no opposition . . . 635 

Elias M. Skinner 225 

George Renwick. anti-masonic. . 420 

1833- 

Congress — 

Wflliam Woodbridge 519 

Lucius Lyon 398 

Austin E. Wing 35 

Representatives — 

George Renwick 559 

Abel Alillington 537 

Henry Rumsey 403 

]\[unnis Kinney 369 

1835. 

Governor — 

Stevens T. Mason 1074 

Congress — 

Isaac E. Crary 1075 

State Senator — 

Henr}' Rumsey loi i 

Silas Finch 949 

\\'illiam J. Moody 999 

David Page "/Jt^ 

Abel IMillington 771 

lienjainin J. Mather 763 

Representatives — 

Rufus Matthews 1021 

George TIow 1007 

Richard \\. Mtjrse TOo6 

John Pirewer 997 

( )rin How 996 

James \\'. Hill 980 

Alanson Grossman 965 

Daniel B. Pirown 811 

Orange Risdon 771 

George Renwick 771 

Daniel F. Allniendinger 767 

■ Job Gorton 762 

Henry Warner 746 

Aficah Porter 695 

1836. 

State Senator — 

William Moore '750 



195 



George li. Coo]ier '743 

Marcus Lane 1091 

Abram F. Bolton 1 100 

Representatives — 

Oliver Kellogg 1733 

Robert Purdy 1 729 

Gilbert Shattuck 1729 

Kinsley S. Bingham 1729 

James Kingsley 1 725 

Thomas Lee 171 7 

Orin How 1709 

George How 1 1 24 

Abel Millington 1 105 

George Renwick 1 104 

Jonathan Burnett 1 103 

Michael P. Stubbs 1096 

Jonathan K. Bowers 1091 

Martin Davis 590 

General Martin Davis 473 

Associate Judges — 

Henry Compton 1609 

William R. Thompson 1602 

John Williams 995 

Zenas Xash 990 

Probate Judge — 

Robert S. Wilson 1598 

William R. Perry tO02 

Sherifif— 

William .\ndersun 1608 

Alexander D. Crane 974 

Alexander Crane 30 

County Clerk — 

Jonathan E. Field \ '^(i\ 

\\^elling A. Grover T017 

Register of Deeds — 

Edward Clark 1 520 

David T. McCollum 989 

David McCollum 30 

Count\' Treasurer — 

David Pacre T452 

Dwight Kellogg I T07 



596 



^34 



547 



531 



345 



66o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Coroner — 

Alva Brown 1599 32 

\\'alter li. Hewitt 1567 

Abrani Satire 1002 

Daniel F. Allmendinger 999 

\\'alter I!. Hewitt 34 

County Surveyor — 

Orange Risdon 1064 613 

Smith Lapham 991 

1837- 
Governor — / 

Charles C. Trowbridge, whig. .,.2066 27 

Steven T. Mason, dem 2039 

Congress — 

Hezekiah G. Wells, whig 1789 159 

Isaac E. Crary, deni 1630 

T838. 
Congress — 

Hezekiah (!. Wells, whig 2218 368 

Isaac E. Crary, dem 1850 

County Conimissioner.s — 

Dwight Kellogg, whig 2 161 

Aaron D. Truesdell. whig 2144 

Darius Pierce, whig 2155 

Orrin White, dem 1823 

Gilbert Shattuck, dem 1820 

( )liver Kclhigg, dem 1818 

Sheriff— 

James Saunders, whig 211J4 443 

Emanuel Case, dem 1751 

County Clerk — 

Leonard C, (ioodale, whig 2159 347 

Chauncey joslin, dem 1812 

Register of Deeds — ■ 

David T. McCollum, whig 2167 343 

Edward Clark, dem 1824 

County Treasurer — 

Volney Chapin, whig 2172 365 

John C. Mundy, dem 1807 



Coroner — 

Chauncey S. Cioodrich, whig... 2146 

Robert Edmunds, whig 2164 

Alva Brown, dem 1812 

Thomas Tate, dem 1808 

1839. 

Governor — 

Williain Woodbridge, whig 2352 516 

Elon Farnsworth, dem 1836 

County Commissioner — 

Darius Pierce, whig 2256 437 

Walter B. Hewitt, dem 1819 

1840. 
President — 

William H. Harrison, whig 2527 

Martin \'an Buren, dem 2057 

Judge of Probate — 

George Sedgwick, whig 2523 425 

George N. .Skinner, dem 2098 

County Commissioner — 

Aaron D. Truesdell, whig 2487 352 

Walter B, Hewitt, dem 2135 

Sheriffs 

James Saunders, whig 2484 369 

James H. Fargo, dem 21 15 

County Clerk — 

Leonard C. Goodale, whig 2615 412 

George Danforth, dem 2103 

Register of Deeds — 

George Corselius, whig 2517 415 

Ezra Piatt, dem 2102 

County Treasurer — 

David T. McCollum. whig 2522 425 

John C. Mundy, dem 2097 

Coroner — 

Chauncey S. Goodrich, whig. . , .2509 

George P. Jeffries, whig 2510 

Matthew F. Gregory, dem 2100 

Lutlier Bement, dem 2091 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



66i 



County Surveyor — 

Richard Peterson, whig 2515 

Russell Whipple, dcm 2100 

1841. 

Governor — 

Philo C. Fuller, whig 1659 

John S. Barry, dem 2012 

Jabez S. Fitch, free soil 247 

County Commissioners — 

Charles Starks, dem 1987 

Hiram Arnold, whig 1O45 

Allen P.uck, whig 1632 

Rufus Mathews, dem 263 

Tlieodore Foster, free soil 203 

1842. 
Sheriff- 
Peter Slingerland. dem 1825 

Daniel P.. Brown, whig 1562 

Justus Norris, free soil 306 

Coimty Clerk — 

Earls P. Gardiner, dem 189 1 

John B. H&thaway, whig 15 10 

John Gibson, free soil 305 

Register of Deeds — 

George W. Gilbert, dem 1868 

George Corselius, whig 1 547 

Converse J. Garland, free soil . . . 305 

County Treasurer — 

Nelson H. Wing, dem 1814 

Jonathan H. Lund, whig 1558 

Samuel D. McDowell, free soil. . 311 



Coroners — 

Samuel G. Sutherland, dem 
Gilbert Shattuck, dem . . . 
Chauncey S. Goodrich, whi 
Abner A. Wells, whig . . 
William Allen, free soil . 
Scuu're Patchen, free soil. 



1842 
1868 

1527 
308 
308 



County Surveyor — 

Jacob Preston, dem 1804 

.Samuel Pcttibone. whig 1527 



Samuel W. Foster, free soil. ... 311 
415 Samuel Preston, dem 47 

1843- 
Governor — 

John S. Barry, dem 1843 

Zina Pitcher, whig 1684 

353 James G. Birney, free soil 311 

Congress — 

Robert McClelland, dem 1851 165 

Jacob M. Howard, whig 1686 

Arthur L. Porter, free soil .... 295 

1844. 
President — 

James K. Polk, dem 2530 201 

Henry Clay, whig 2349 

263 James G. Birney, free soil 366 

Congress — 

Robert McClelland, dem 2533 125 

Edwin Lawrence, whig 240S 

381 Charles H. Stewart, free soil . . . 3()S 

Judge of Probate — 

Samuel P. Fuller, dem 2643 382 

Mitchel Packer, whig 2261 

321 George Hill, free soil 347 

Sheriff- 
Gilbert Shattuck, dem 2580 Ti^y 

Townsend North, whig 2343 

256 Justus Norris, free soil 343 

County Clerk — 

Beriah King, dem 2563 208 

Cassius .Swift, whig 2355 

Converse J. Garland, free soil.. 353 

Register of Deeds — 

George W. Gilbert, dem 2612 305 

William TT. Patterson, whig ..2307 
John Chandler, free soil 349 

County Treasurer — 

Oliver W. Moore, dem 2568 218 

2-/y Sylvester Abel, whig 2350 

William Kingsley. free soil 252 



662 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Coroners — 




Samuel G. Sutherland, deiii . . 


..2569 


Thomas Tate, dem 


. .2S7Q 


Chauncey S. Goodrich, whig. . 


• ■ -'342 


Timothy W. Hunt, whig 


• ■ ^335 


Thomas Hoskins, free soil . . 


■• 347 


John Pebbles, free soil 


■■ 350 


County Surveyor — 




Russell Whipple, dem 


••2572 


Samuel Pettibone, whig 


• -2342 


Samuel W. Foster, free soil . . 


■■ 348 



1854- 

Governor — 

Stephen Vickery, whig 2005 

Alpheus Felch, dem 1750 

James S. Barry, free soil 305 

Coroner — 

Timothy Hunt, whig 1940 

Harry Sheppard, dem 1590 

Andrew L. Case, free soil 244 

1846. 
Congress — 

Edwin Lawrence, whig 1853 

Robert McClelland, dem 1657 

Charles H. Stewart, free soil... 270 

Judge of Probate — 

Elias M. Skinner, dem 694 

Heman Ticknor, whig 566 

George Hill, free soil 16 

County Judge — 

Charles W. Lane, whig 1763 

William A. Fletcher, dem 1601 

George W. Jewett. free soil .... 269 

Sheriff— 

Ephraim H. Spaulding, whig... 1894 

Alexander H. Selden, dem 1416 

George Millard, free soil 269 

County Clerk — 

Cassius Swift, whig 1832 

P>enjamin F. Bradley, dem 1443 

John Chandler, free soil 276 



47 



78 



Register of Deeds — 

234 Thomas M. Ladd. whig 1790 227 

237 Charles H. Cavell. dem 1463 

Converse J. Garland, free soil. . . 266 

County Treasurer — 

Sylvester Abel, whig t86i 41 15 

Henry Rumsey, dem 1448 

Horace Car])enter, free soil 262 

Coroners — 

Chauncey S. (joodrich, whig . . . 1783 

Timothy Hunt, whig 1783 

Mathew F. Gregory, dem 1 529 

255 Luke Daley, dem 1504 

Jacob Sherman, free soil 271 

Martin H. Cowles, free soil. ... 271 

County Surveyor — 

350 Samuel Pcttibi.)ne, whig "^JT^) 225 

Russell Whipple, dem LS34 

Samuel \\'. Foster, free soil.... 247 

1847. 
( lovernor — 
19'' Epaphroditus Ransom, dem .... 1849 43 

James M. Edmunds, whig i8o6 

Chester Guerney. free soil 268 

1848. 
1 28 President — 

Lewis Cass, dem 20S1 52 

Zachary Taylor, whig 2029 

Martin \'an Buren, free soil.... gi8 

1 62 Congress — 

George C. Hates, whig 21 13 ii> 

Alexander \\'. Buel, dem 2094 

Caleb X. ( )rmsby, free soil 844 

ludge of I 'robate — 
Churchill H. Van Cleve. whig. . .2092 5 

Elias M. Skinner, dem 2087 

Loren C. Miles, free soil 846 

Sheriff— 
381) Ephraim PL Spauldin>^. \vliig. . . 2163 96 

Peter Slingerland, dem 2067 

Horace Carpenter, free soil 817 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



663 



County Clerk — 

John C. Munday, dem 2032 

James McMahon, whig 2027 

Register of Deeds — 

Thomas M. Ladd, whig 2068 

Jesse P. Warner, dem 2052 

John G. Grisson, free soil Qi i 

County Treasurer — 

Sylvester Abel, whig -I39 

Benjamin F. Bradley, dem 1080 

Fitch Hill, free soil 875 

Coroners — 

Jared Hatch, dem 2079 

David Tyler, dem -2074 

Chauncey S. Goodrich, whig... 2070 

Mathew F. Gregory, whig 2069 

Enamuel Mann, free soil 883 

Prosper J. Wheeler, free soil. . . . 867 

County Surveyor — 

John M. Chase, dem 2085 

George Cook, whig 2069 

Jacob Preston, free soil 844 

1851. 
Governor — 

Robert McClelland, dem 1495 

Townsend E. Gidley. whig 1376 

1852. 
President — 

Franklin Pierce, dem 2604 

Winfield Scott, whig 2275 

John P. Hale, free soil (>02 

Governor — 

Robert McClelland, dem 2630 

Zachariah Chandler, whig 2346 

Isaac P. Christiancy, free soil . . . 498 

Secretary of State — 

William Graves, dem 2640 

George E. Pomeroy, whig 2305 

Francis Deiinison, free soil 538 



State Treasiu'er — 
5 Bernard C. Whittemore, dem . . . 2(x)^ 

Sylvester Abel, whig -5^7 

Silas W. Holmes, free soil 537 

16 Congress — 

David Stuart, dem 2570 

William A. Howard, whig 2477 

Samuel W. Dexter, free soil. . . . 387 

159 Judge of Probate — 

Chauncey Joslin, dem 2703 

David T. McCollum, whig 2240 

Thomas Ploskins, free soil 479 

Sheriff- 
Nelson B. Nye, dem 2650 

Justus D. Andrus, whig 2326 

Moses Rogers, free soil 469 

County Clerk — 

James McMahon, whig 2549 

Bradley F. Granger, dem 2329 

16 J. Webster Childs, free soil 506 

Register of Deeds — 

Nelson Mosher, dem 2588 

Lorenzo Davis, whig 2370 

Samuel r>. Noble, free soil 495 

119 

County Treasurer — 

Rufus Mathews, dem 2499 

William Burnett, whig 2431 

Sam D. McDowell, free soil. . . . 490 

329 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

James M. Walker, whig 2561 

Thomas H. Marsh, dem 2471 

284 Circuit Court Commissioner — 

Churchill H. Van Cleve, whig. . .2431 
Charles D. Coleman, dem 3374 

Coroners — 

335 Calvin Chipman, dem 2639 

James Crissey, dem 2639 

John K. Yocum, whig 2297 



288 



93 



463 



224 



220 



218 



68 



90 



D/ 



664 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



William Rawles, whig 2296 

Lester Jewett, free soil 517 

Seth Thompson, free soil 512 

1854. 
Governor — 

Kinsley S. Bingham, rep 2821 

John S. Barry, dem 2130 

Secretary of State — 

John McKinney, rep 2781 

\\'illiani I.. Bancroft, dem 21 1 1 

State Treasurer — 

Silas M. Holmes, rep 2783 

Derastus Hinman, dem 2108 

Congress — 

William A. Howard, rej) 2853 

David Stuart, dem 2017 

Sheriff- 
John C. Mead, rep 2731 

Nelson B. Nye, dem 2134 



691 



J. Webster Childs, rep 2376 

Orange Risdon, dem 2114 

1856. 
President — 

John C. Fremont, rep 3571 

James Buchanan, dem 2835 

Millard Fillmore, am 109 



Governor — 

670 Kingsley S. Bingham, rep 3538 

Alpheus Felch, dem 2980 

Congress — 

675 William A. Howard, rep 3618 

G. V. N. Lothrop, dem 2907 

Secretary of State — 

836 John McKinney, rep 3383 

Fitz H. Stephens, dem 2940 

State Treasurer — 

597 Silas M. Holmes, rep 3576 

Robert W. Davis, dem 2945 



736 



558 



711 



643 



631 



County Clerk — 

Robert J. Barry, rep 2435 

Amos C. Blodget. dem 2405 



Judge of Probate — 

30 Bradley F. Granger, rep 3483 

Nelson ^losher, dem 3039 



444 



Register of Deeds — • 

William R. Martin, rep 2655 

Nelson Mosher, dem 2213 



County Clerk — 

442 Robert J. Barry, rep 3691 

Thos. I,. Humphrey ville, dem... 2816 



875 



County Treasurer — 

Samuel Grisson, rep 2354 

Hull Goodyear, dem 2026 



Register of Deed.s — 

328 William R. Martin, rep 3634 

John D. Pierce, dem 2877 



757 



Prosecuting Attorney — 

Alexander D. Crane, rep 271 J 

Thomas H. Marsh, dem 21 if 



County Treasurer — 

600 Samuel Grisson, rep 3631 

William F. Osias, dem 2888 



943 



Circuit Court Commissioner — 

Hiram J. Beakes, dem 2513 

Churchill H. Van Cleve, rep. . . .2327 



Prosecuting .\ttornev — 

186 .\lex'uider D. Crane, rep 3527 

Hiram J. Beakes, dem 2981 



546 



Coroners — ■ 

John Pebbles, rep 2727 

Lee L. Forsyth, dem 2573 



Circuit Court Commissioner — 

Churchill H. Van Cleve, rep .... 3630 
George Danforth, dem 2883 



747 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



665 



Coroners — 

Orin White, rep 3586 

Lemuel Foster, rep 3580 

Gilbert Shattuck, dem 2933 

John Starkweather, dem 2927 

1858. 
Governor — 

Moses Wisner, rep 3313 320 

Charles E. Stuart, dem 2993 

Congress — 

William A. Howard, rep 3333 348 

George B. Cooper, dem 2975 

Secretary of State — 

Nelson G. Isbell, rep 3326 334 

Jonathan P. King, dem 2992 

State Treasurer — 

John jMcKinney, rep 3325 337 

Edward Kater. dem 2988 

Sheriff- 
Thomas F. Leonard, dem 3247 363 

Thomas Alexander, Jr., rep 2884 

County Clerk — 

Robert J. Barry, rep 3527 749 

Newton Sheldon, dem 2778 

Register of Deeds — 

Chauncey Walbridge. rep 3081 

Horatio G. .Sheldon, dem 3181 100 

Count}- Treasurer — 

Samuel Grisson, rep 33io 329 

George H. Lyon, dem 2981 

Prosecuting .\ttorney — 

Sylvester .\bel rep 3405 559 

Thomas L. Humphrey ville, dem. 2846 

Circuit Court Commissioner — 

Churchill H. Van Cleve, rep. . . .3279 261 

Nelson Mosher, dem 3018 

Coroner.s — 

Collins B. Cook, rep 3298 



Nelson B. Nye, dem 3156 

Henry Warner, dem 3066 

Henry Bower, dem 2989 

i860 

President — 

Abraham Lincoln, rep 4286 656 

Stephen A. Douglas, dem 3630 

Governor — 

Austin Blair, rep 4278 540 

John S. Barry, dem 3738 

Secretary of State — 

James B. Porter, rep 4891 1164 

William Francis, dem 3727 

State Treasurer — 

John Owen, rep 4302 589 

Elon Farnsworth, dem 37i3 

Judge of Probate — 

Thomas Ninde, rep 4355 696 

Daniel Hixon, dem 3659 

Sheriff'— 

William H. Patterson, rep 4067 136 

Thomas F. Leonard, dem 3931 

County Clerk — 

Robert J. Barry, rep 4413 824 

John J. Robison, dem 3589 

Register of Deeds — 

Judah R. McLean, rep 41 18 256 

Horatio G. Sheldon, dem 3862 

County Treasurer — 

Samuel Grisson, rep 433° 646 

John M. Chase, dem 3684 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Alexander D. Crane, rep 4179 366 

Lyman D. Norris, dem 3813 

Circuit Court Commissioner — 

Daniel S. Twitchell, rep 4271 537 

John N. Gott, dem 3734 



666 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Coroners — 

Joseph P. Jewett, rep 4266 

Smith Botsford, rep 4290 

Sampson Parker, dem 3733 

Philemon C. Murray, dem 3721 

1862. 
Governor — 

Byron G. Stout, dem 3527 385 

Austin Blair, rep 3142 

Congress — 

Bradley F. Granger, rep 3528 397 

John W. Longyear, dem 3 131 

Secretary of State — 

William R. Montgomery, dem. .3191 19 

James B. Porter, rep 3172 

State Treasurer — 

Charles C. Trowbridge, dem. . . .3493 311 

John Owen, rep 3182 

Sheriff- 
Philip Winegar, dem 3539 39° 

John K. Yocum, rep 3i49 

County Clerk — 

Tracey W. Root, dem 3337 9 

Robert J. Barry, rep 3328 

Register of Deeds — 

Horatio G. Sheldon, dem 3473 250 

Judah R. McLean, rep 3223 

County Treasurer — 

Horace Carpenter, union 3412 151 

Samuel Grisson, rep 3261 

Prosecuting attorney- — 

Alexander D. Crane, union 3352 33 

Daniel S. Twitchell, rep 3319 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Thomas L. Humphreyville, dem. 3422 

George Dan forth, dem 3414 

Churchill H. Van Cleve, rep. . . .3299 
Daniel B. Greene, rep 3099 



Coroners — 

Martin Clark, dem 3525 

Philemon C. Murray, dem 3512 

Smith Botsford, rep 3194 

Joseph P. Jewett, rep 3 '74 

County Surveyor — 

Charles S. Woodard, dem 3352 

1864. 
President — 

George B. McClellan, dem 3836 204 

Abraham Lincoln, rep 3632 

Governor — 

William M. Fenton, dem 3844 201 

Henry H. Crapo, rep 3643 

Congress — 

David Johnson, dem 3840 190 

John W. Longyear, rep 3650 

Secretary of State — 

George B. Turner, dem 3843 193 

James B. Porter, rep 3650 

State Treasurer — ■ 

George C. Munro, rep 3842 192 

John Owen, dem 3650 

Judge of Probate — 

Thomas Ninde, rep 3611 159 

Hiram J. Beakes, dem 3870 

Sheriff- 
Philip Winegar, dem 3806 113 

John C. Mead, rep 3683 

County Clerk — 

Elihu I!. Pond, dem 3842 202 

Everett B. Clark, rep 3640 

Register of Deeds — 

Peter Tuite, dem 3828 160 

John W. Babbitt, rep 3668 

County Treasurer — 

Philip Blum, dem 3823 162 

Robert McCall, rep 3661 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



667 



Prosecuting Attorney — 

Amos C. Blodgett, dem 3803 

Daniel S. Twitchell, rep 3688 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

John Carpenter, dem 3843 

Robert E. Frazier, dem 3831 

George W. Ambrose, rep 3660 

Charles Holmes, rep 3642 

Coroners — 

Philemon C. Alurray, dem 3867 

Levi H. Reynolds, dem 3856 

William McCall, rep 3648 

Collins P>. Cook, rep 3645 

County Surveyor — 

Charles S. Woodard, dem 3867 

1866. 
Governor — 

Henry H. Crapo, rep 3914 

Alpheus S. Williams, dem 368S 

Congress — 

Austin Blair, rep 39i9 

Bradley F. Granger, dem 3664 

Secretar\- of State — 

Oliver L. Spaulding, rep 39i8 

Bradley M. Thompson, dem.... 3688 

State Treasurer — 

Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, rep. . . .3916 
Euther H. Trask, dem 3687 

Sheriff- 
Byron R. Porter, rep 3815 

James M. Forsyth, dem 3779 

County Clerk — 

John I. Thompson, rep 3876 

Flihu B. Pond, dem 3705 

Register of Deeds — 

Clinton Spencer, rep 3905 

Peter Tuite, dem 3683 



County Treasurer — 

115 John W. Babbitt, rep 3854 113 

Philip Blum, dem 3741 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Robert E. Frazier, dem 3837 90 

Densmore Cramer, rep 3747 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Sibley G. Taylor, rep 39-3 

Charles Holmes, rep 3893 

John N. Gott, dem 3685 

J. Willard Babbitt, dem 3681 

Coroners — 

George H. Rhodes, rep 391 1 

Joshua Leland, rep 39io 

William E. Towner, dem 3690 

William F. North, dem 3673 

County Surveyor — 
226 Charles S. Woodward, dem 3544 

1868. 
President — 

255 Horatio Seymour, dem 4496 33 

Ulysses S. Grant, rep 4463 

Governor — 

230 John ]\Ioore, dem 45-9 80 

Henry P. Baldwin, rep 4449 

Congress — 

229 Isaac M. Crane, dem 4554 I37 

Austin Blair, rep 4417 

SecretaiT of State — 

36 Richard Bayliss, dem 4526 70 

Oliver L. Spaulding, rep 4456 

State Treasurer — 

171 John F. JNliller, dem 4553 125 

Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, rep. . . .4428 

Judge of Probate — 

217 Hiram J. Beakes, dem 4633 314 

Alexander D. Crane, rep 43i9 



668 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Sheriff- 
Byron R. Porter, rep 4561 146 

Jortin Forbes, dem 4415 

County Clerk — 

John J. Robison, dem 4575 204 

Rolierl I. F.arry, rep 4371 

Register of Deeds — 

Clinton Spencer, rep 4542 no 

Peter Tuite, dem 4432 

County Treasurer — 

Philip Blum, dem 4489 13 

Samuel Grisson, rep 4476 

Prosccutinor Attorney — 

Robert E. Frazier, dem 45^9 205 

Andrew J. Sawyer, rep 4384 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Sibley G. Taylor, rep 45 13 

Charles Holmes, Jr., rep 4412 

Richard Beahan. dem 4478 

J. Willard Babbitt, dem 4532 

Coroners — 

Willard B. Smith, rep 4436 

Andrew Robison, rep 4557 

William F. Roth, dem 4518 

Burke Spencer, dem 45i6 

Surveyor — 

Geor^'e S. Capwell. dem 45 18 

1870. 
Governor — 

Charles C. Comstock, dem 3789 219 

Henry P. Baldwin, rep 357© 

Congress — 

D. Darwin Hughes, dem 3792 209 

Austin Blair, rep 3583 

Secretary of State — 

Jonathan W. Flanders, dem 3787 185 

Daniel Striker, rep 3602 



State Treasurer — 

Andrew J. Bowen, dem 3786 182 

Victory P. Collier, rep 3604 

Sheriff- 
Myron Webb, dem 3739 88 

John C. Mead, rep 3651 

County Clerk — 

John J. Robison, dem 3860 348 

Byron R. Porter, rep 3512 

Register of Deeds — 

Charles H. Manly, dem 3783 179 

Clinton Spencer, rep 3604 

County Treasurer — 

Philip Blum, dem 3645 

Stephen Fairchild, rep 373° 85 

Prosecuting Attorne}' — 

Edwin F. Uhl, dem 37o8 54 

Andrew J. Sawyer, rep 3654 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Richard Beahan, dem 3738 

J. Willard Babbitt, dem 3801 

Sibley G. Taylor, rep 3615 

Churchill H. A^'an Cleve, rep. . . .3548 

Coroners — 

Jeremiah Peek, dem 3772 

Philemon C. Murray, dem 3777 

Atchison W. Gleason, rep 3615 

George H. Rhodes, rep 3609 

.Surveyor — 

George S. Capwell, dem 3777 167 

Samuel Pettibone, rep 3610 

1872. 
President — 

Horace Greeley, dem 3030 

Ulysses S. Grant, rep 4106 1076 

James Black, pro 116 

Qiarles O'Conor, dem 11 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



669 



Governor — 

Austin Blair, dem 3197 

John J. Bagley, rep 4174 

William M. Ferrj-, pro 102 

Congress — 

Asa Mahan, dem 3197 

Henry Waldron, rep 4250 

Secretary of State — 

George H. House, dem 3272 

Daniel Striker, rep 41 59 

Thomas C. Cutler, pro 103 

State Treasurer — 

Joseph A. Holton, dem 32?') 

Victory P. Collier, rep 4160 

Clement M. Davison, pro 107 

Judge of Probate — 

Alpheus Felch, dem 3398 

Noah W. Cheever, rep 4095 

Sheriff- 
Michael Fleming, dem 3804 

John S. Nowland, rep 3705 

County Clerk — 

William N. Stevens, rep 4086 

Frank Joslin, dem 3426 

Register of Deeds — 

Charles H. Manly, dem 3596 

Emanuel G. Shaffer, rep 3942 

County Treasurer — 

Philip Blum, dem 2864 

Stephen Fairchild, rep 4634 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Densmore Cramer, dem 3062 

Edward R. Allen, rep 4404 

Circuit Court Commissioner — 

James H. Morris, dem 2874 

John W. Babbitt, dem 3320 

John F. Lawrence, rep 4574 

Churchill H. Van Cleve, rep. . . .4171 
40 



Coroners — 

Philemon C. Murray, dem 3303 

977 Benjamin F. Cole, dem 3269 

William F. Breakey, rep 4174 

William Dexter, rep 4192 

1874. 
1053 Governor — 

Henry Chamberlain, dem 4068 

John J. Bagley, rep 3503 

887 Congress — 

John J. Robison, dem 4232 

Henry Waldron, rep 355 1 

Secretary of State — 

890 George H. House, dem 4055 

Ebenezer G. D. Holden, rep 3540 

State Treasurer — 

Joseph M. Sterling, dem 4056 

697 William B. McCreery, rep 3537 

Sheriff— 

99 Michael Fleming, dem 4353 

David Edwards, rep 3212 

Count}- Clerk — 

660 Peter Tuite, dem 3941 

William N. Stevens, rep 3642 

Register of Deeds — 

Charles S. Woodard, dem 3269 

346 Emanuel G. Shaffer, rep 433° 

County Treasurer — 

William Hauke. dem 3257 

1770 Stephen Fairchild, rep 4280 

Prosecuting Attorne}- — 

Robert E. Frazier, dem 3825 

1342 Edward P. Allen, rep 374° 

Circuit Court Commissioner — 

John F. Lawrence, rep 3975 

Frank Emerick, rep 359^ 

1254 Tracy W. Root, dem 3716 

851 J. Willard Babbitt, dem 3816 



871 
889 



565 



681 



515 



519 



I141 



299 



1061 



1023 



85 



6/0 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Coroners — 

William F. Breakey, rep 3545 

Bennett F. Root, re|) 3545 

John Kapp, dem 4077 

Calvin F. Ashley, dem 4042 

Surveyor — 

John K. Yocum, rep 3585 

Smith Wilbur, dem 3980 

1876. 
President — 

Rutherford B. Hayes, rep 45^5 

Samuel J. Tilden, dem 51 17 

Peter Cooper, nat 23 

Governor — 

William L. Webber, dem 5 ' 50 

Charles M. Croswell. rep 4532 

Congress — 

John J. Robison. dem 5183 

Edwin Willits, rep 4478 

Secretary of State — 

George H. House, dem. ...... .5123 

Ebenezer G. D. Holden, rep. . . .4575 

State Treasurer — 

John G. Parkhurst, dem 5186 

William B. AicCreery, rep 4558 

Judge of Probate — 

Noah W. Cheever, rep 4701 

William D. Harrinian, dem 4988 

Sheriff— 

Josiah S. Case, dem 4995 

Jacob H. Martin, rep 4655 

County Clerk — 

Peter Tuite, dem 5 145 

James C. Higgins, rep 4539 

Register of Deeds — 

Charles H. Manly, dem 5 141 

William Judson, rep 4538 



County Treasurer — 

Mathew Gensley, dem 5023 451 

Stephen Fairchild, rep 4672 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

J. Wilkird P.abbitt, dem 4864 39 

John F. Lawrence, rep 4825 

395 Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Charles I-^. Whitman, dem 5060 

D. Oliphant Church, dem 4705 

Frank Emerick, rep 4804 

Eugene K. Freenauff, rep 4705 

552 

Coroners — 

Martin Clark, dem 5 113 

Lewis C. Risdon, dem 5093 

618 George A. Peters, rep 459i 

John G. Crane, rep 4584 

Surveyor — 

605 Smith Wilbur, dem 5062 447 

Harrison W. Bassett, rep 4615 

1878. 

548 Governor — 

Charles M. Croswell, rep 3338 99 

Orlando M. Barnes, dem 3239 

Henr}- S. Smith, nat 1302 

628 W'atson Snyder, pro 244 

Congress — 

Ira B. Card, dem 3168 

Edwin Willits, rep 3520 352 

n Levi H. Thomas, nat 1293 

.\dani H. Lowrie, pro 123 

Secretary of State — 

•^4 William Jenney, rep 3413 170 

George H. Murdock, dem 3243 

George H. Bruce, nat 1311 

Travers Philips, pro 164 

606 

State Treasurer — 

Benjamin D. Pritchard, rep.... 3400 189 

Alexander McFarlan. dem 3211 

603 Herman Goeschel, nat 1325 

Darius H. Stone, pro 163 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Sheriff— 

Josiah S. Case, dem 3618 

Henry S. Boutell, rep 33 10 

James M. Forsyth, nat 1053 

Edward H. Jackson, pro 124 

County Clerk — 

Peter Tuite, dem 3359 

Everett B. Clark, rep 35^7 

Ezekiel M. Cole, nat 1076 

Caleb S. Pitkin, pro 133 

Register of Deeds — 

Charles H. Stanley, dem 3622 

Erastus N. Gilbert, rep 3209 

Albert T. Bruegel, nat 1136 

Thomas Eccles, pro 127 

County Treasurer — 

Mathew Gensley, dem 3120 

Stephen Fairchild, rep 3689 

Byron C. Whittaker, nat 1 156 

Charles M. Fellows, pro 123 

Prosecuting- Attorne}- — 

Charles R. Whitman, dem 2770 

Frank Emerick, rep 3345 

Robert E. Frazier, nat 1866 

Daniel B. Taylor, pro 103 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

James McMahon, rep 34i6 

Fred. A. Hunt, rep 3342 

Howard Stephenson, dem 3275 

Patrick McKernan, dem 3338 

Warren E. Walker, nat 1284 

Frank Footc, nat 1 169 

Coroners — 

Frank K. Owen, rep 34i6 

Will G. Terry, rep 3483 

Martin Clark, dem 3180 

Frank Joslin, dem 3198 

Jonathan E. Sprague, nat 1292 

John W. Babbitt, nat 1277 

Thomas J. Forsyth, pro 159 

Christopher Hauser, pro 144 



County Surveyor — 

308 John K. Yocum, rep 3494 

George T. Clark, dem 3207 

1880. 
President of the United States — 

James A. Garfield, rep 4629 

Winfield S. Hancock, dem 4958 

168 

Governor — 

David H. Jerome, rep 4463 

Frederick M. Holloway, dem. . . .5133 

Congressman — 

Edwin Willetts, rep 4605 

William H. Waldby, dem 5013 

State Senator — 

Joseph T. Jacob, rep 4762 

David G. Rose, dem 4871 

5°^ Representative in State Legislature — 

Edward D. Kinne, rep 1804 

James B. Van Etta, dem 1 1 13 

Edward P. Allen, rep 1557 

Edward King, dem 1631 

James McLaren, rep i437 

James S. Gorman, dem 1935 

Judge of Probate — 

William E. Depew, rep 4482 

William D. Harriman, dem 5182 

Sheriff— 

W. Irvin Yeckley, rep 4720 

Edwin W. Walace, dem 4942 

County Clerk — 

Everett B. Clark, rep 5054 

Edward Duffy, dem 4620 

Register of Deeds — 

Erastus M. Gilbert, rep 4831 

Michael Seery, dem 4816 

County Treasurer — 

Frederick Pfizenmaier, rep 4716 

Jacob Knapp, dem^ 4890 



671 
287 



329 

670 

408 

109 
791 

74 
498 

700 

222 
434 

15 



174 



672 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Prosecuting- Attorney — 

Frank Emerick, rep 4814 

Charles R. Whitman, dem 4844 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Franklin Hinckle)', rep 4565 

James MciNIahon, rep 4475 

Patrick McKernan, dem 5045 

Howard Stephenson, dem 5092 

Coroners — 

William F. Breakey, rep 4649 

Frank K. Owen, rep 4632 

Martin Clark, dem- 4969 

Conrad George, dem 4984 

1881. 
Justice of Supreme Court — 

Isaac Marston, rep 2969 

Augustus C. Baldwin, dem 3258 

John B. Shipman 627 

Circuit Judge — 

Otis Critchett, rep 3109 

Chauncey Joslyn, dem 3779 

1882. 
Governor — 

David H. Jerome, rep 34i3 

Josiah W. Begole, dem 4541 

Congressman — 

John K. Boies, rep 3749 

Nathaniel B. Eldridge, dem.... 4444 

State Senator- — 

Conrad Krapf, rep 3580 

Charles H. Richmond, dem 43^9 

Sheriff- 
Ambrose V. Robison, rep 4001 

Edwin W. Wallace, dem 4080 

County Clerk — 

John A. Palmer, rep 3880 

John J. Robison, dem 4149 

Register of Deeds — 

Erastus M. Gilbert, rep 4439 

Walter H. Hawkins, dem 3629 



Treasurer — 

Frederick Hutzel, rep 3624 

30 Jacob Knapp. dem 4358 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Amariah F. Freeman, rep 3557 

Charles R. Whitman, dem 4483 

480 

5 7 Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Franklin Hinckley, rep 3482 

Lewis F. Wade, rep 351 1 

Patrick McKernan, dem 4510 

Howard Stevenson, dem 4491 

320 ' ^^^ 

Coroners^ 

Franklin K. Owen, rep 3563 

Cyrenus G. Darling, rep 37 18 

Thomas J. Sullivan, dem 4327 

^o Christian F. Kapp, dem 4394 

Representative in State Legislature — 

Edward D. Kinne, rep 2028 

Charles S. Gregory, dem 2060 

670 Jo''"'' ^^- Megan, rep 1699 

Edward King, dem 2235 

1883. 
Justice of Supreme Court — 

1 128 Austin Blair, rep 2621 

John W. Champlain, dem 3820 

1884. 
695 President of the United States — 

James G. Blaine, rep 4050 

Grover Cleveland, dem 5305 

Governor — 

Russell A. Alger, rep 3934 

Josiah W. Begole, dem 5259 

79 

Congressman — 

Edward P. Allen, rep 4355 

^ Nathaniel B. Eldridge, dem.... 5065 

State Senator — 

810 Reuben Kempf, rep 4919 

Densmore Cramer, dem 434i 



734 



926 



999 
980 



609 
676 



32 
536 



199 



1255 



1325 



710 



578 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



^VZ 



Representative in State Legislature — 

Warren E. Walker, rep 2290 

Nathan E. Sutton, dem 2409 119 

Charles Burkhardt, rep 2087 

Egbert P. Harper, dem 2496 409 

Judge of Probate — 

James T. Honey, rep 463S 

William D. Harriman, dem 4759 124 

Sheriff— 

W. Irving Yeckley, rep 43 11 

William Walsh, dem 5045 734 

County Clerk — 

Charles S. Bates, rep 4119 

John J. Robison, dem 5169 1050 

County Treasurer — 

Albert Case, rep 4107 

Frederick H. Belser, dem 5214 1107 

Register of Deeds — 

Charles J. Durheim, rep 4189 

James Kearns, dem 51 57 968 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Michael H. Brennan, rep 4437 

Ezra B. Norris, dem 4870 433 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

John H. Fox, rep 4187 

Frank Trussel, rep 4293 

Patrick McKernan, dem 5040 747 

Frank Joslyn, dem S044 751 

Coroners — 

Frank K. Owen, rep 43 16 

Norman B. Covert, rep 4280 

Thomas J. Sullivan, dem 5019 703 

Christian F. Kapp, dem 4977 661 

1885. 

Justice of the Supreme Court — 

Thomas M. Coley, rep 3205 

Allen B. Morse, dem 4523 1318 



1886. 
Governor — 

Cyrus G. Luce, rep 3628 

George L. Yaple, dem 4718 1090 

Congressman — 

Edward P. Allen, rep 4014 

Lester H. Salisbury, dem> 4521 507 

State Senator — 

Andrew Campbell, rep 3669 

James S. Gorman, dem 4678 1009 

Representative in State Legislature — 
E. Frank Allmendinger, rep. . . .2071 

Charles H. Manley, dem 2188 117 

Matthew Seeger, rep 1781 

Egbert P. Harper, dem 2339 558 

Sheriff- 
Frederick B. Braun, rep 3515 

William Walsh, dem 4822 1 307 

County Clerk — 

William A. Clark, rep 3641 

Frederick A. Howlett, dem 4675 1034 

Register of Deeds — 

Peter W. Carpenter, rep 3620 

James Kearns, dem 47io 1090 

County Treasurer- — 

Stephen Fairchild, rep 3608 

Frederick H. Belser, dem 4764 1056 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Eugene K. Frueauff, rep 3663 

Ezra B. Norris, dem 4595 932 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

John W. Bennett, rep 3613 

Patrick McKernan. dem 4707 1094 

Frank Joslyn. dem 4691 1078 

Coroners — 

Henry S. Dean, rep 3635 

Frank K. Owen, rep 3^33 

Ormond C. Jenkins, dem 4677 1042 

Martin Clark, dem 4702 1067 



674 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



1887. 

Supreme Court Justice — 

James V. Campbell, rep 3651 

Levi T. Grififin, dem 4700 1049 

Circuit Judge — 

Edward D. Kinne, rep 5744 2775 

George M. Landon, dem 2969 

Local Option — 

Yes 3412 

No 5050 1638 

1888. 

President of the United States — 

Benjamin Harrison, rep 4550 

Grover Cleveland, dem 5481 931 

Governor — 

Cyrus G. Luce, rep 4556 

Wellington R. Burke, dem 5478 922 

Congressman — 

Edward P. Allen, rep 4726 

Willard Stearns, dem 5401 675 

State Senator — 

Clark Cornwall, rep 454i 

James S. Cjorman, dem 5448 907 

Representative in State Legislature — 

Andrew J. Sawyer, rep 2524 

John y. N. Gregory, dem 261 1 87 

Jabez B. Wortley, rep 2029 

James L. Lowden. dem 2572 543 

Judge of Probate — 

George S. Wheeler, rep 4683 

J. Willard Babbitt, dem 5364 679 

Sheriff- 
Jacob H. Martin, rep 4619 

Charles Dwyer, dem 5362 743 

County Clerk — 

Morton F. Case, rep 441 1 

Frederick A. Howlett, dem 5610 1199 



Register of Deeds — ^ 

Albert Gardner, rep 4567 

Michael Seery, dem 5463 896 

County Treasurer — 

William R. Tuomey, rep 4484 

Gustave Brehm, dem 5526 1042 

Prosecuting Attornev — 

John F. Lawrence, rep 4746 

Michael J. Lehman, dem 5289 543 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Florence C. Moriarity, rep 4585 

Charles H. Kline, rep 4560 

Patrick McKernan, dem 5478 893 

Frank Joslyn, dem 5427 842 

Coroners — 

William F. Breakey, rep 4554 

Frank K. Owen, rep 4544 

Martin Clark, dem 5471 917 

Edward Batwell. dem 5486 932 

1889. 

Justice of the Supreme Court — 

Claudius B. Grant, rep 31 14 

Thomas R. Sherwood, dem 3913 799 

1890. 
Governor — 

James M. Turner, rep 33 '3 

Edward B. Winans. dem 5201 1888 

Asariah S. Partridge, pro 599 

Congressman — 

Edward P. Allen, rep 3651 

James S. Gorman, dem 5012 1361 

Senator — 

Albert Bond, rep 3614 

Augustin C. McCormick, dem. . .5004 1390 

Sherifl— 

Henry S. Boutell, rep 3442 

Charles Dwyer, dem 5056 1614 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



675 



County Clerk — 

William B. Dieterle, rep 3837 

Arthur Brown, dem 4688 

County Treasurer — 

Edward Gorman, rep 3560 

Gustave Brclmi, dem 49^3 

Register of Deeds — 

William J. Clark, rep 3628 

Michael Seer\-, dem 4884 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Amariah F. Freeman, rep 377^ 

Michael J. Lehman, dem 4719 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Archie W. Wilkinson, rep 3554 

John W. Bennett, rep 3545 

Patrick McKernan, dem 4959 

Frank Joslyn, dem 4956 

Coroners — 

William F. Breakey, rep 3545 

Frank K. Owen, rep 354° 

^lartin Clark, dem 4955 

Fdward Bat well, dem 4957 

Representatix'e in State Le,gislature — 

Joseph T. Jacobs, rep 2176 

John \'. N. Gregory, dem 2226 

Harrison W. Bassett, rep 1635 

James L. Lowden, dem 2430 

1892. 
President — 

Benjamin Harrison, rep 4362 

Grover Cleveland, dem 55o8 

Governor — 

John T. Rich, rep 4326 

Allen B. Morse, dem 5515 

Congressman — 

James O'Donnell, rep 4495 

James S. Gorman, dem 5340 



Senator — 

Alexander W. Hamilton, rep... 4477 
gci Myron \\'. Clark, dem 5366 889 

Sheriff— 

Frederick Wedemeyer, rep 4468 

Michael lirenner, dem 5359 891 

County Clerk — 

John Cook, rep 4355 

Arthur Brown, dem S469 1 1 14 

1256 

Register of Deeds — 

Carlyle P. McKinstry, rep 4485 

Andrew T. Hughes, dem 5341 856 

941 

County Treasurer — 

John Keppler, rep 4639 

Paul G. Sukey, dem 5183 544 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

'j Arthur J. Waters, rep 4399 

Thomas D. Kearney, dem 544° 1041 

Probate Judge — 

Henry B. Piatt, re]) 4373 

J. Willard Babbitt, dem 5460 1087 

1410 ,'■• V r- .. n ■ ■ 

^ Circuit Court Commissioners — 

'■+'" Wright A. Pray, rep 4405 

Herbert W. Childs, rep 4418 

Patrick McKernan, dem 3420 1015 

Tracy L. Towner, dem 5465 1047 

Coroners — 

William K. Childs, rep 4377 

'^^'^ George W. Hull, rep 4382 

Martin Clark, dem 5466 1089 

Edward Batwell. dem 5472 1090 

Representatives in State Legislature — 

1 146 Frederick B. Braun, rep 2300 

Charles H. Kline, dem 2736 436 

Gideon L. Hoyt, rep 2126 

Frank E. Mills, dem 2688 562 

1 189 ^. 

1893. 

Supreme Court Justice — 

Frank .A. Hooker, rep 3345 

845 George PL Durand. dem 3980 635 



676 PAST AND PRESENT OF 

Circuit Judge — 

Edward D. Kiune, rep 4553 1476 

Edward R. Gilday, dcm 30/7 

School Commissioner — 

Martin J. Cavannus;li, dem 3793 3284 

J. Morion Calkins, pro 509 

1894. 
Governor — 

John T. Rich, rep 5007 856 

Spencer O. Fisher, dem 4151 

Congressman — 

George Spalding, rep 49^3 682 

Thomas F. P)arkworth. dem 4221 

Senator — 

John W. Watts, rep 4838 716 

Charles H. Mauley, dcm 4122 

Sheriff- 
William Judson. rep 4935 801 

■Michael llrenner, dem 4^34 

County Clerk — 

\Villi«m Dansinburg, rep 4808 611 

Jacob S. Schuh, dem 4^97 

Register of Deeds — 

Carlyle P. McKinstry. rep 4898 844 

Andrew T. Hughes, dem 4054 

County Treasurer — 

William F. Rehfuss. rep 5060 1126 

i'.uil Ci. Sukey, dem 3934 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Seth C. Randall, rep 4836 705 

Thomas D. Kearney, dem 4131 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 

Joseph F. Webb, rep 4864 654 

O. Elmer Pjutterfield, rep 4^37 586 

Patrick McKernan, dem 4210 

Tracy L. Towner, dem 4251 

Coroners — 

Harris Ball, rep 4909 801 



WASHTENAW COUNTY. 

William R. Barton, rep 4843 735 

Martin Clark, dem 4108 

Edw.-ird l^>at\vcll, dcm 4108 

Representatives in State Legislature — 

Reuben Kempf, rep 2629 486 

Walter H. Dancer, dem 2143 

Jabez ]j. Wortley, rep 2265 355 

Frank' E. Mills, dem 191 1 

1895. 

.Supreme Court Justice — 

Joseph B. Moore, rep 4431 580 

John W. McGrath, dem 3851 

State Senator — 

Charles H. Smith, rep 43^7 467 

John A. McDougal, dem 3860 

County School Commissioner — 

William W. Wedemever, rep. . .4543 761 

David A. Hammond, dem 3782 

Joseph P). Stcere, pro 374 

1896. 

President of the United States — 

William McKinley, rep 5677 329 

^\'illianl J. Brran, dem 5348 

Governor — 

Hazen S. Pingree. rep 5975 1^99 

Charles R. Sligh, dem 4876 

Congressman — 

George Spalding, rep 5617 212 

Thomas E. Barkworth, dem.... 5405 

Judge of Probate — 

H. Wirt Newkirk, rep 5737 388 

Thomas D. Kearney, dem 5349 

Siieriff— 

William Jndson, rep 5558 667 

TTiram Lighthall, ilcm 5491 

County Clerk — 

William Dansinghnrg, rep 5552 

Jacob F. Schuh, dem 5547 25 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



County Treasurer — 

William F. Relifuss. rep 5818 

George J- Mann, dein 5246 

Register of Deeds — 

George A. Cook, rep 5815 

Alfred Davenport, dcm 5245 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Seth T. Randall, rep 5195 

John P. Kirk, dem 577*^ 

Circuit Court Commissioner — 

(). Elmer P.utterfield, rep 5654 

Joseph F. Webb, rep 5632 

Henry A. Condon, dem 5385 

Lee N. flrown. dem 5399 

Coroner — 

Harris Ball, rep 5633 

William R. Barton, rep 5641 

Ernest E. Clark, dem 5415 

Walter P. Beach, dem 5391 

1897. 

Justice of the Supreme Court — 

Charles D. Long, rep 4501 

George L. Yaple. dem 2837 

Dan P. Foote. gold dem '. . 1332 

County School Commissioners — 

William M. Lister, rep 4500 

Alton B. Dewitt, dem 2973 

Governor — 

Hazen S. Pingree, rep 4704 

Justin R. Whiting, dem 4572 

Congressman — 

Henry C. Smith, rep 4698 

( )rrin R. Pierce, dem 4506 

Sheriff- 
John H. Kingsley, rep 4475 

John Gillen. dem 4775 

County Clerk — 

John Heinzman, rep 4i45 

Jacob F. Schuh, dem 5081 



Countv Treasurer — 

57- Jacob Braun, rep 4538 

George J. Mann, dem 3675 

Register of Deeds — 

57° George A. Cook, rep 4698 

Clifford R. Huston, dem 4522 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

„ Frank E. Jones, rep 4036 

^ ' John P. Kirk, dem 5254 

, Circuit Court Commissioners — 
269 
2^^ O. E. Butterfield, rep 4493 

Fred W. Green, rep 4575 

William H. Murray, dem 4654 

Tracy L. Towner, dem 4639 

218 Coroners — 

^-Q Harris Ball, rep 4472 

George W. Hull, rep 4546 

Benjamin F. Watts, dcm 4695 

Christian F. Kapp. dem 4604 



1644 



1527 



132 



192 



300 



936 



1899. 

Justice Supreme Court — 

Claudius B. Grant, rep 4605 

Thomas E. Barkworth, dem. . . .4469 

Circuit Judge — 

Edward D. Kinne, rep 5178 

Martin J. Cavanaugh, dem 4012 

County School Commissioner — 

William N. Lister, rep 4857 

Dorsey Hoppe. dem 4251 

1900. 

President of the United States — 

William McKinley. rep 5378 

William J. Bryan, dem 5072 

Governor — 

Aaron T. Bliss, rep 5027 

William C. Maybury. dem 545^ 



677 
853 

176 



1218 



79 
64 



149 
58 



136 



1 166 



606 



306 



431 



6/8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Congressman — 

Henry C. Smith, rep 5520 554 

Alartin G. I^ienneckcr, deni 4966 

State Senator — 

Hugo C. Loeser, rep 5057 

Charles A. Ward, dem 5336 279 

Judge of Probate — 

H. Wirt Newl<irk, rep 4^133 

Willis L. Watkins, dem 4843 210 

Henry S. Dean, ind. rep 1050 

SherifT— 

Cassius M. Warner, rep 4166 

John Gillen, dem 5224 1058 

Cyrenus G. Darling, ind. rep... 1 130 

County Clerk — 

John Kahnbach, rep 37^2 

Philip Rlum, Jr.. dem 5318 1596 

William E. lioyden. ind. rep.... 1452 

County Treasurer — 

Cone E. .S]3erry, rep 3885 

George J. Mann, dem 5363 1478 

D. E. Waite, ind. rep 1244 

Register of Deeds — 

John Reno, rep 3880 

Clifford R. Huston, dem 5442 1562 

C. O. Piarnes, ind. rep 1 172 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Frank A. Stivers, rep 3953 

John L. Duffy, dem 5401 1448 

Frank E. Jones, ind. rep 1164 

Circuit Court Conmiissioners — 

Carl T. Storm, rep 4136 

E. A. Holbrook, rep 4129 

William H. Murraw dem 5222 1086 

■ "rank Joslyn, dem 5228 1092 

W. E. Bailey, ind. rep 11 28 

E. W. Owen. ind. rep 1 161 

Coroner — 

Harris Ball, rep 4065 

H. A. Britton, rep 4132 



Benjamin F. Watts, dem 5283 1151 

Christian F. Kajjp, dem 5i95 '063 

H. B. Jenks, ind. rep 1134 

John Slater, ind. rep 1 126 

igoi. 

Justice Supreme Court — 

Robert M. Montgomery, rep. . . .4801 686 

vMlen C. Adsit, dem 4115 

County School Commissioner.s — 

Charles E. Foster, rep 4585 339 

Dorsey Hoppe, dem 4246 

1902. 

Governor — 

.\aron T. Bliss, rep 3548 

Eorenzo T. Durand, dem 5054 1506 

Congressman — 

Charles E. Townsend, rep 4284 

Frederick B. Wood, dem 4298 16 

State .Senator — 

Frank P. (ilazier, rep 4156 

Henry N. Tefft. dem 4296 140 

Sheriff- 
James E. Burke, rep 3560 

Joseph Gauntlett, dem 5009 I449 

County Clerk — 

James E. Harkins, rep 4228 

Philip i'.lum, dem 4361 133 

County Treasurer — 

Cone E. Sperry, rep 3836 

Charles Braun, dem 4698 862 

Register of Deeds — 

Charles A. Barnes, rep 3775 

Clifford R. Huston, dem 4788 1013 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

John L. Duffy, dem 4815 

(No opposition.) 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



679 



Circuit Court Commissioner — 

William D. Putnam, rep 3949 

J. Stewart Lathers, rep 3975 

William H. Murray, dem 4*145 670 

Frank Joslyn, dem 45^5 610 



Coroner — 

Harry B. Britton, rep 3945 

James B. Wallace, rep 3997 

Benjamin F. Watts, dem 4579 

Christian F. Kapp, dem 4534 

1903. 

Justice Supreme Court — 

Frank A. Hooker, rep 4168 

James H. Pound, dem 3828 



County Clerk — 

James E. Harkins, rep 6263 

I'.yron C. Wliittaker, dem 41 13 

County Treasurer — 

Otto D. Luick, rep 5880 

Charles Brown, dem 4502 

Resfister of Deeds — 
582 '^ 
_,-. John Lavvson, rep 5532 

William A. Seery. dem 4858 

Prosecuting Attorney — 

Andrew J. Sawyer, Jr., rep 6008 

340 \^'ilIiam H. Murray, dem 4371 

Circuit Court Commissioners — 



County School Commissioners — 

Charles E. Foster, rep 4095 191 

Warren H. Smith, dem 3904 

1904. 

President of the United States — 

Theodore Roosevelt, rep 6557 '^■'JTJ 

Alton R. Parker, dem 3780 

Governor — 

Fred M. Warner, rep 4892 

Woodbridsje N. Ferris, dem.... 5571 679 

Congressman — 

Charles E. Townsend. rep 5660 905 

John P. Kirk, dem 4755 

State Senator — 

.\rchibald J. Peake, rep 558o 751 

Arthur Brown, dem 4829 



George W. Sample, rep 6066 

William S. Putnam, rep 6006 

Herbert D. Witherell, dem 43 10 

Frank Joslyn, dem 4384 

Coroners — 

Samuel W. Burchfield, rep 6026 

James P. Wallace, rep 6051 

Frederick G. Ronneberger, dem. 4325 
Christian F. Kapp, dem 43^3 

1905. 

Justice Supreme Court — 

Joseph B. Moore, rep 4404 

\"ernon H. Smith, dem 3719 



Circuit Judge — 

Edward D. Kinne, rep. 
(No opposition.) 



2150 



1378 



674 



1637 



1682 
1622 



1701 
1726 



685 



•4555 



Judge of Probate — 

Emory E. Leland, rep 5639 876 

Tracy L. Towner, dem 47^3 

Sherifif— 

Frank T. Newton, rep 5631 870 

Joseph Gauntlett, dem 4761 



Pioard of County .\uditors — 

George H. Fischer, rep 413 1 

Frank Stowell, rep 4 1 10 

John Farrell, rep 4039 

Jeremiah D. Ryan, dem 4007 

James D. McGregor, dem 4017 

\Mlliam Bacon, dem 4134 



92 
71 



95 



68o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
TPIE ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD. 

JOHN ALLEN. 

John .-\llcn, one of the foundcr.s of the city of 
Ann Arbor, was born in Augusta county, Vir- 
ginia, May 17. 1796. His parents were James 
and Ehzabeth (Tate) Allen, both of whom were 
native Virginians. In January, 1824, he came to 
Michigan, and in company with Elisha W. Rum- 
sey located the site of Ann Arbor. Shortly after 
the location of the village Mr. .Vllen began specu- 
lating in land and in laying out embryo cities. 
At one time he was the owner of many thousand 
acres of land in the western part of the state. 
The hard times of 1837 affected him severely, 
and he went east to dispose of his land, but the 
dullness of the money market operated against 
him, entailing a great loss. Mr. Allen was a man 
of an exceedingly hopeful disposition, and one 
of considerable force and character. Whatever 
he undertook he brought to bear all the energies 
of his nature and in every enterprise looking to 
the development of Ann Arbor he was in the lead. 
In company with S. W. Dexter, he published for 
a time the U'cstern Emigrant, the first paper in 
Washtenaw county. He studied law with James 
Kingsley, and was admitted to the bar in 1832, 
but gave but little of his time to his profession. 
He was state senator from 1845 to 1848. 

Mr. i\llen was twice married. First, to Miss 
Mary Crawford, November 2, 181 5, in Virginia. 
Mrs. Allen was of an old family of that state. 
She died May 6, 1819. Second, to Mrs. Ann J. 
McCue, widow of Dr. William McCue, and 
daughter of Thomas Barry, of Londonderry, Ire- 
land. In 1850 Mr. Allen went to California, hop- 
ing to recover the fortune he had lost. But such 
was not to be the case for he died on March 11, 
1 85 1. Mrs. Allen returned to Virginia, where 
she died November 27, 1875, in the seventy-ninth 
year of her age. 

S.AMUEL W. l)i:.\TF.R. 

Samuel W. Dexter was born in Boston in 1792, 
and was the eldest son of the distinsruished states- 



man and advocate, Samuel Dexter. After gradu- 
ating at Harvard he removed to Athens, on the 
Hudson river. From there he came to Michigan 
in August, 1824. He located in the vicinity of 
the present village of Dexter the same year; and 
in 1826 came with his family to reside in a house 
which he built on the bank of the river Huron, 
very near the present railroad depot in the village 
of Dexter. This house was used for many years 
as a place of worship for as many as four or five 
denominations, who there held at stated intervals 
regular service, and it was also a home for the 
different preachers who came to conduct the 
services. 

Mr. Dexter published the first newspaper in 
Washtenaw county, in 1829, at Ann Arbor, The 
IVcstcru E migrant. 

In 1S26 he was appointed chief justice of the 
county court by Hon. Lewis Cass. He held the 
first court for the county of Washtenaw at the 
house of Erastus Priest, in .Ann Arbor, on the 
third Monday of January, 1827. In the same 
year he was solicited to become a territorial dele- 
gate to congress, but resigned all claims in favor 
of his friend. Major John Biddle, of Detroit, who 
was a brother of the famous Nicholas Biddle, of 
United States Bank renown. In 1831, Mr. Dex- 
ter, Austin E. Wing and John R. Williams were 
candidates for the oilice of delegate to congress 
in the territorv of Michigan. Mr. Wing was the 
democratic candidate. Mr. Williams was an in- 
dependent candidate, and Judge Dexter was the 
candidate of the anti-Masons. The vote in Wash- 
tenaw county resulted as follows : Mr. Dexter, 
389; Mr. Wing, 227: Mr. Williams. 5: total vote 
in county, 621. The whole territory vote was as 
follows: Wing, 3188; Dexter, 2100; Williams, 
1 100: total vote, 4588. Air. Dexter again ran for 
congress, this time upon the free-soil ticket, about 
the time of the Kansas-Nebraska excitement. In 
182(1 Judge Dexter established a private postoffice 
in his iiwii house and carried mail on horseback 
to and from Ann .\rbor once a week. 

He located Saginaw city in the year 1825; and 
also Byron, Shiawassee county ; and in the same 
year he entered lands in the vicinity of Tecuniseh. 
For the last twenty years of his life, finding that 
certain points of the country around about were 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COITNTY 



68 1 



not supplied with regular means of worship, he 
preached to the people in various schoolhouses. 
Mr. Dexter died at the old homestead in Dexter, 
Michigan, Fehruary 6. 1863. 

GEORGE MILES. 

Judge George Miles was born in Amsterdam, 
Montgomery county. New York, and was of old 
Puritan stock. He had to rely upon his own 
resources in early life, which tended greatly to 
develop his powers. He was admitted to the 
bar in 1822 in his native state. In 1837 he re- 
moved to Ann .\rbor, where he continued the 
general practice of his profession until appointed 
to the bench in 1846, where he presided with 
great dignity. His reported opinions are notice- 
able for their ability, conciseness and close ad- 
herence to the points involved, and compare fa- 
vorably with the early New York reports. Judge 
Miles was possessed of an exalted character for 
integritv. and he was respected and esteemed by 
all. He died in the prime of life. 

WILLIAM .\. FLETCHER. 

Judge William A. Fletcher, the first chief jus- 
tice of the state of Michigan, was born in New 
Hampshire, his younger days being spent in the 
mercantile business in his native state. This 
was in 181 3. About this time he removed to 
New York, where he studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar. In 1821 he removed to De- 
troit, and in 1823 was appointed chief justice 
of the county court of Wayne county. On the 
17th day of April, 1833, the legislative council 
of the territory organized a judicial circuit, em- 
bracing all the organized in the territory, ex- 
cept Wayne, and Mr. Fletcher was appointed 
judge of the circuit. It being necessary for the 
judge to reside in his district, he removed to 
Ann Arbor, where he continued to reside un- 
til his death. Upon the organization of the 
state. Judge Fletcher was appointed chief jus- 
tice of the supreme court, which office he re- 
signed in 1842. Judge Fletcher was possessed 
of a clear, discriminating mind, and was a very 
able lawyer. He died in September, 1852. 



MUNNLS KENNY. 

Munnis Kenny, the fourth son of Deacon 
Moses and Abigail Kenny, was born in New- 
fane, Vt., December 10, 1788. At the age of 15 
he was sent to the academy of Chesterfield, New 
Hampshire, with the view of preparing him for 
college. He entered Williams college, where he 
spent three years ; then entering the senior class 
of Middlebury college, he graduted in 1809, at 
the age of 21. The same year he took the de- 
gree of A. B. in Williams college. After his 
graduation he began the study of law with Judge 
\A'hite, of Townshend. While here he married 
Martha, daughter of Dr. John Campbell. He 
then located in Townshend, where he followed his 
profession for several years, being in the mean- 
time honored with offices in the town and for 
three years sent to the legislature. 

From Townshend Mr. Kenny went to Brighton, 
Mass., where he remained for several years. In 
1829 he removed to Webster, Washtenaw county, 
Michigan, and located 240 acres of land. Hav- 
ing spent all of his life up to this time in in- 
tellectual pursuits, and in the society of the cul- 
tured and refined, it is not to be wondered he 
found much in pioneer life not congenial to his 
tastes, but he did not hesitate in the work he 
set out to do — the providing of a comfortable 
home for his family. Hospitality was one of his 
ruling traits. The "latchstring" at his house 
"was always out." The newcomer was always 
welcomed, and assisted in finding a home. 

In politics Mr. Kenny was an anti-slavery 
man, and lived to read the proclamation of Abra- 
ham Lincoln, remarking, as he did, that he was 
satisfied. He was one of the founders of the 
Presbyterian church in Webster. Mr. Kenny 
was the originator of the Washtenaw Mutual 
Insurance company, and was for many years its 
secretan,'. 

J.\MES KINGSLEY. 

James Kingsley was born in Canterbiiry. 
Windham county, Connecticut, on Jannuary 6, 
1797, and moved with his parents to Brooklyn, 
in the same county, where he attended school 
till about 19 years of age. He then went to the 



682 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



city of Providence, R. 1.', where he studied 
Latin in Pjrown universit}'. Returning to 
Brooklyn he studied law and was admitted to the 
bar. In 1823 he went to Virginia and was en- 
gaged as a private teacher in the family of Lud- 
well Lee, son of the famous Richard Henry 
Lee. He remained in \'irginia until the winter 
of 1826, when he went to Mississippi. Shortly 
afterward, the yellow fever breaking out, he con- 
cluded to emigrate to Michigan, and came to 
Ann Arbor. He came up the Mississippi and 
Ohio rivers by boat, landing at Cincinnati, where 
he purchased a horse and rode to Detroit. At 
the latter place he sold his horse and came on 
foot to Ann Arbor, reaching here in the fall 
of 1826. LIpon arriving in the village of Ann 
Arbor he selected two lots of land, about three 
miles north of the city, and returned the next 
day to Detroit and entered his lots in the land 
office there. He then returned here and began 
work by clearing on his land during that fall 
and winter five acres, devoting all his time to his 
land, as no court was held until January, 1827. 
.A.t that time he commenced the practice of law 
in Ann .^rbor, being the first attorney admitted 
to practice at the bar of Washtenaw county. 

In 1830 he was married to Miss Lucy Ann 
Clark, a sister of General Edward Clark. She 
died in 1856, and three children survived her : 
Mrs. C. A. Chapin, of Ann Arbor; James and 
George Kingsley, of Paola, Kansas. 

In 1828 Mr. Kingsley was appointed judge of 
probate, which office he held until 1836. From 
1830 till 1833 he was a member of the legislative 
council of the territory of Michigan, and March 
3, 1831, he was appointed a trustee of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan. In 1837 he was a member 
of the lower house of the state legislature, and in 
1838, 1839 and 1842 a member of the senate. 
While a member of the senate, in 1842, he drew 
the charter of the Michigan Central railroad h} 
which it -went into operation — its first charter. 
In 1848 he was again elected a member of the 
house, and in 1850 was a member of the constitu- 
tional convention, in which he was on the judi- 
ciary committee, and occupied a prominent posi- 
tion in the proceedings and deliberations of the 
convention. In 1852 he became regent of the 



university and held this office for six years. In 
1869-70 he was again elected to the lower house, 
which was the last official position held by him. 
He was also the second mayor of Ann Arbor. 

The city is especially indebted to him iov his 
early and earnest efforts in locating, establishing 
and building up the university. 

EDWARn MUNDY. 

Edward Mundy was born in Middlesex 
county. New Jersey, August 14, 1794. He was 
graduated from Rutgers college in 18 12. He 
studied law and commenced practice in his native 
county. In i8ig he emigrated with his family 
to Illinois and engaged in practice there, but 
after a time returned to New Jersey and became 
a merchant. In 1831 he removed to Ann Arbor, 
where he became a justice, and from 1833 to 
1835 was associate territorial judge. In 1835 
he was a delegate from Washtenaw coiuity to 
the first constitutional convention and was a 
leading member of that body. He was the first 
lieutenant-governor of Michigan, and held that 
position from 1835 to 1840 He then resumed 
the practice of law and was successful. From 
March, 1847, to April, 1848, he was attorney- 
general of the state. He was also prosecuting 
attorney of Washtenaw county at one time and a 
regent of the university. In 1848 he was ap- 
pointed by the governor and the senate judge of 
the si.xth judicial circuit and associate justice of 
the supreme court. This appointment caused 
him to change his residence from Ann Arbor to 
Grand Rapids, where he lived until his death, 
March 13. 1851. He was a dignified presiding 
officer and an able judge. He was a man of 
fine personal appearance and well liked both in 
public and ])rivate life. He was a member of the 
Episcopal church and a democrat in politics. 

ALPHEUS FELCH. 

Alpheus Felch was descended from patriotic 
and revolutionary stock. His grandfather was a 
soldier in the war for independence of the col- 
onies and in consideration of such service par- 
ticipated in the soldiers' land grants down in the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



683 



wilderness of Maine. His father was reared there 
as a farmer's l30\', and on reaching his majorit)' 
became a merchant at Limerick, York county, 
I\[ainc. It was there that Governor Felch was 
horn. September 28, 1804. He was the only 
son in a familv of six children. The death of 
his father, when he was an infant of 2 years, 
antl of his mother one year later, left him an 
oqjhan to be reared b}" his grandfather, and he 
never knew the deeper love and tender sym- 
pathy of a mother. He was carefully educated, 
beoinning in the district schools and preparing 
for college in Philips Exeter Academw At 19 he 
entered Bowdoin College, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1827. He studied law and was admitted 
to the bar at P)angor, Maine, in the autumn of 
1830. His health was never robust, and the 
rigors of the climate of Maine became too se- 
vere for him, so he set out for the milder climate 
of Mississippi. He left Maine in 1833 with the 
intention of forming a ])artnership with the 
brilliant Sergeant S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg. On 
arriving at Cinciimati, however, lie was taken 
down with .\siatic cholera, then raging as an 
epidemic. His illness caused him to change his 
plans and to fix on Michigan as his place of 
residence. He first settled in Monroe, remain- 
ing there about 10 years, and in 1843 '""^ removed 
to Ann Arbor, where he continued to live until 
his death. His public service began a year after 
his settlement in Monroe, as village attorney of 
Monroe. He became a member of the state legis- 
lature in 1835 and 1836; was state bank commis- 
sioner in 1838, auditor-general in 1842, justice 
of the supreme court in 1843, member of the 
board of regents of the University of Michigan 
from 1843 to 1847 ^"cl president of the board 
♦luring the last two years, governor of Michigan 
from 1845 to 1847, United States senator from 
]\[ichigan 1847 to 1853, commissioner to adjust 
and settle Spanish and Mexican land claims un- 
der the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo from 1853 
to 1856, Tappan professor of law in the Uni- 
versity of Michigan from 1879 to 1883, and 
president of the State Historical society from 
1888 to 1894. This is indeed a noteworthy 
record, unsurpassed by the service of any citizen 
or official in the life of the state. As a legislator 



he opposed very earnestly the wild cat scheme 
of banking, inaugurated during that period, which 
proved, as he foretold, verv disastrous to the 
people of the state. .\s bank commissioner he 
contributed very largely to the closing up of 
rotten banks and the retrieving of the credit of 
the people of the state, liy placing the finances of 
the state on a substantial basis. He was 
methodical and painstaking in the performance 
of whatever he undertook to do. and there ap- 
peared to be no thought of himself in the ac- 
ceptance of public office or the discharge of 
official duties. The opportunities of acquiring a 
fortune while in the service of the state or the 
nation were unnoticed. Apparentiv it never oc- 
curred to him to make personal use of them. 
The advantages offered by a residence of three 
years in California, as president of a commis- 
sion that adjusted claims aggregating manv mil- 
lions were never improved for himself, and his 
honest work satisfied all the demands of justice. 
He was appointed commissioner at the close of 
his senatorial term by President Pierce, and was 
elected president of the commission. The work- 
was of vast importance, requiring wise discretion 
and delicate diplomacy. There was a clashing of 
foreign and domestic interests. Among the ques- 
tions involved were the validity of titles granted 
by the rulers of Mexico to large tracts of land ; 
the right of the Roman Catholic church to the 
missions established, under authority of Spain or 
Mexico; the right of the Pueblos to their lands 
in common ; and in many cases there were ad- 
verse claimants, individual or corporate, to the 
same lands. The testimony in all cases was heard 
with the same carefulness as in a court of justice, 
and when completed in March, 1854, filled 40 
volumes. 

Governor Felch settled down to the practice 
of law in Ann Arbor after the work of the com- 
mission was ended, and continued in practice for 
many years. On the ninetieth anniversarv of his 
birth the bar of Washtenaw county tendered him a 
complimentary banquet, which was attended by 
many distinguished guests as well as members of 
the association. Governor Felch always arose 
grandly to the requirements of every occasion 
and yet never got above the ordinary duties of 



684 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



everyda_y life. He was married in Monroe, Sep- 
tember 14, 1837, to Lucretia Williams Lawrence, 
a daughter of Judge Wolcott Lawrence. Five 
children survived him : Mrs. C. B. Grant, of 
Lansing; Mrs. E. H. Cole, of Ann Arbor; Theo- 
dore A. Felch, a physician of Ishpeming ; Frank 
S. Felch, a banker of Sandusky, ( )hio ; and Mrs. 
Dr. C. G. Jennings, of Detroit. 

WILLI. \M S. M.\YNARn. 

William S. Maynard was born in Berkshire 
county, Massachusetts, April 25, 1802, and at 
the time of his death, which occurred June 18, 
1866, was 64 years old. He came to Ann Arbor 
in September, 1830. Up to within a few months 
of his death he was actively engaged in business 
enterprises of various kinds, private and public. 
He was elected mayor in 1856, 1857 ''•"'^l 1865, 
and in the meantime served one term as alder- 
man. He also served on the school board and 
was a member of the cemetery board. 

JOSHUA G. LELAND. 

Hon. Joshua G. Leland was born in Madison 
county, New York, July 19, 1805, and died April 
27, 1876. He spent the earlier years of his life 
at his native place, and was married in 1827. In 
1831 he removed to Michigan and settled in the 
town of Ann Arbor, and one year later removed 
to the township of Northfield, where he continued 
to reside until within a few years of his death, 
when he removed to the city of Ann Arbor. His 
energy and force of character were very marked, 
and he was always busy, even to the last days 
of his life. 

He was justice of the peace in Northfield for 
many years, and was twice elected to the state 
legislature, in 1840 and 1844. He was once 
president of the Washtenaw County Agricultural 
Society, president of the Farmers' Insurance Com- 
pany, and president of the Pioneer Society. He 
was closely identified with many of the public 
interests of the county. Mr. Leland was a re- 
ligions man, having been converted at his home 
in Northfield in 1834. Soon afterwards he 
joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which 



he remained a faithful member up to the time 
of his death, and in which he help positions of 
trust. He was in his barn about 10 days before 
his death, and, seeing a rat, attempted to kill it 
with the sharp prongs of the pitchfork he held in 
his hand, but missed his aim, and the rat ran up 
the handle of the fork and bit him on the arm. 
His arm and hand swelled rapidly and he had to 
take to his bed, from which he never rose again. 
His son is the present judge of probate of Wash- 
tenaw county. 

I. M. WEED. 

Rev. Ira Mason Weed \vas born in Hinesburgh, 
Vt., Januai-y 14, 1804. He prepared for college 
and entered the University of Vermont at Bur- 
lington, in the sophomore year, graduating in 
1825, after which he entered the office of Judge 
Fine, in Ogdensburg, N. Y., where he remained 
a year. It was during this period that his atten- 
tion was attracted to religious subjects, and his 
conversion took place. 

In May, 1830. he was married to Miss Caro- 
line N. Dutton, of Hillsborough, N. H., and 
came immediately to Ypsilanti, arriving early in 
June. At that time the few members of the 
Presbyterian and Congregational churches (13 in 
lunnber) were living widely apart in the settle- 
ments surrounding the new village — two, four and 
six miles, and sometimes more. They had to 
walk, or, at best, take the most primitive modes 
of conveyance to get to the village. Mr. Weed 
continued as pastor of the Presbyterian church 
in Ypsilanti until 1847, w'len he moved 
to Chicago, wlicre he entered on an agency 
for the American Board of Foreign Mis- 
sions, becoming district secretary for the 
northwest. This field included northern Il- 
linois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, as far 
as their population extended. In 1847-48 there 
was hardly a railroad out of Chicago. Here was 
a pioneer life to encounter again ! Long, lonely 
drives over "slews" and deep prairie mud, to 
reach a shelter at night with the new settlers. 
The churches were most of them feeble, but he 
laid strong foundations in benevolent work. 
There is abundant evidence of his excellent in- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



68 q 



flucnce upon the churches he visited during these 
eight or ten years, while in the service of the 
American board. 

GEORGE p. WILLIAMS. 

Of all the members of the university faculty 
in the early days, Prof. George P. Williams 
stands pre-eminent in the affections 6f the old 
boys. Somehow he got hold of their heartstriings 
as no one else could. If elver a student had any 
misfortune befall him, or got into trouble, to 
no one would he go so soon for advice and com- 
fort as to "Old Punky," as the boys affection- 
ately called him. The origin, by the way, of this 
nickname has never been definitely explained, but 
it is supposed to have arisen from the dryness 
of his wit. There was a fatherly kindness in his 
bearing, a genuine sympathy in his nature, that 
won the entire confidence of his students. He 
was a delightful man tomcct, a noble and gener- 
ous soul, and charmed everyone with his pres- 
ence. No doubt one secret of the hold that Dr. 
Williams had upon his students was his ready 
wit and genuine good humor. The best stories 
and the keenest repartee became associated with 
his name, but the shafts of his wit were never 
cruel and unkind. 

Probably no man had so much to do with 
shaping the fortunes of the university in the 
earlier days of its history. He was the first 
member of the faculty, being appointed in 1841 
to the chair of ancient languages, from which 
he was soon after transferred to that of mathe- 
matics. He served the university for 40' years, and 
for more than 10 years prior to the advent of 
President Tappan he was virtually its head. His 
influence during that formative period was very 
great. The classes were small and the personal 
touch of the teacher was sensibly felt by every 
student. The personal relation betv^reen teachers 
and students became intimate, and this closeness 
of contact doubtless accounts for the loyalty and 
devotion of the older generation of graduates to 
the memory of their professors. This feeling 
found tangible expression in an effort made some 
30 years ago to raise a fund, the income of which 
should be given to the venerable professor in 
41 



retirement from active service, in order to pro- 
vide his declining years with additional comforts 
and to free his mind from sordid cares. After 
his decease the fund was intended to perpetuate 
his memory by the endowment of a chair to be 
called by his name. Unhappily this generous 
undertaking never has been realized; owing to 
gross mismanagement of the funds. A portion, 
however, of the funds has been saved and is now 
accumulating with the hope of securing eventu- 
ally the ulterior aim. 

Dr. Williams belonged to the older type of the 
college professor. He was a teacher, rather than 
an investigator; a man of liberal training, more 
than a specialist. And yet his attainments in 
mathematics and physics were by no means in- 
significant. He recognized, however, as teachers 
of science now-a-days are less inclined to do, the 
vital relationship of all learning, and he was a 
stanch advocate of a broad education as the only 
sound basis for special and professional training. 
• As a teacher, Dr. Williams was noted for ac- 
curacy and clearness of statement, and for com- 
sumlnate skill in detecting fallacious reasoning 
and erroneous methods. An incident that oc- 
curred in his class-room affords a good illustra- 
tiort of this trait. One of the students was at the 
blackboard explaining a problem in analytical 
geometry which he had solved, as he proudly 
supposed, by a formula of his own invention and 
by a method superior to that given in the text- 
book. When the critical point was reached the 
professor interrupted the explanation with a ques- 
tion : "Mr. , what have you done there?" 

"Simplified it," was the confident reply. "Yes, 
stultified it," came back from the chair, where- 
upon the professor pointed out the fallacy that 
lurked beneath the process to the surprise of the 
over-confident student. 

A graduate of 1862 has said of Dr. Williams: 
"Among the worthies of that earlier time when 
we were young and our teachers were enthroned 
among our divinities, dear old Dr. Williams will 
forever hold a large place in grateful memory, not 
so much for what science he taught us as for what 
he was to us as a man and a friend. His genial 
smile and benignant presence still haunt and 
charm our memory." 



r)86 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



IIKNRV 1'. TAPPAN. 

When Dr. Tap])an came to Ann .\rbor the 
students were housed in dormitories, the only 
liuiklings then nn tlie campus, except the old 
medical collej^^e. These two dormitories now 
constitute the old north and south wings of Uni- 
versit\' Hall. It was the Doctor's idea that these 
Iniildings w<?re needed for better purposes than 
sleeping rooms for students, and so he turned the 
boys out to find quarters among the residents of 
the town. This innovation provoked a great out- 
cry. Such a thing Iiad never before lieen heard 
of. To thus set free from in(|uisitorial restraint 
even a small horde of young men. subject to their 
own sweet will, was deemed a most hazardous 
proceeding. There were all sorts of direful pre- 
dictions, which happily came to naught. Dr. 
Tappan said to the students that they were big 
enough and old enough to conduct themselves as 
gentlemen under all circumstances, and that it 
was best for them to take the responsibility. They 
had passed the age of being tied to their mother's 
apron strings. That well expressed the theor\ 
of his government. H students, as residents of 
Ann Arbor, violated the laws of the land, officials 
charged with enforcement of laws would take 
them in hand ; if they showed themselves unfit 
or unworthy of membership in the imiversit\ , it 
was best for all concerned that they should re- 
tire from it. 

Dr. .\ndrew D. White, in his fascinating auto- 
biographical reminiscences, relates an anecdote 
which illustrates Dr. Tappan's method of disci- 
pline. It shows both his tact and his shrewd- 
ness. The bell which called the students to their 
classes was hung on a high post in the rear of 
the recitation halls. One night this bell mvsteri- 
ously disappeared. Tlie next morning at chapel 
Dr. Tappan quietly said : "The authorities of the 
university had provided a bell as the signal for 
the opening of classes. Tliey were not obliged 
to do this; it was wholly for the convenience of 
the students. But I see that the students have 
thought it unnecessary and have removed it. 
I'robalil} it was thoughtful and commendable on 
their part to save the regents the expense of 
maintaining a bell and employing a man to ring 



it. They will take notice, however, that here- 
after they must depend upon themselves to keep 
the time. Classes will go on just the same. Those 
not in their seats at the appointed moment must 
take the consequences." Not many mornings 
later the old bell was found mysteriously back in 
its place again. 

Dr. Tappan's nature was of the kindliest. 
Though his discipline was firm, its justice was 
alwa\s evident, and so the subject of it could not 
harbor resentment. The student body regarded 
the president with genuine ]5ersonal affection. The 
body was then not so large but that he could 
recognize eacli and know something of his char- 
acter and circumstances. His kindness of heart 
was no mere pretense. More than one young man 
seeking an education on the slimmest of financial 
resources had reason to know this. 

On first view, the dignity of Dr. Tappan was 
something awful ; on further acquaintance it 
seemed to fit him like a well-cut garment. He 
was a six-footer broad of shoulder and of ample 
girth. Some of the Ann Arbor people thought 
him pompous, and when he went out to Lansing 
to hypnotize the legislature into liberal appropria- 
tions it was painfully apparent that he could 
never have made a fortune as a lobbyist. The 
fact is that neither Dr. Tappan nor his family 
were very popular in Ann Arlxjr or Lansing. 
Thev were charged with being aristocrats and 
exclusives, and with looking down on the deni- 
zens of this neck of western woods with a .sort 
of condescension that was anything but agreeable. 
That they seemetl to regard the people out here 
as provincials is no more than other New York- 
ers, both before and since, have done. But in all 
their intercourse with students neither Dr. Tap- 
pan nor his family showed an}i:hing of this 
spirit. They were cordial, unreserved, unosten- 
tatious, hospitable, kind. The Doctor had the re- 
spect and esteem of every student. It is not too 
much to say that he inspired the affection of most. 
.Mention Dr. Tappan's name in the presence of 
one of the fellows of '54 to '64 and the brighten- 
ing eye and quickening pulse will show that a 
tender cord has been touched. When he was 
driven from his post by the intriguers, not one 
of whom was worth\- to unlatch the buckles of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



687 



his shoes, his stanch admirers felt like deeds of 
desperate revenge. 

. It was Dr. Tappan's ideas and influence which 
transformed the mere college, teaching only the 
studies of the established college curriculum of 
his day, into the genuine university. He set out 
to lay the foundations of an institution of learn- 
ing which should cover the widest range of 
knowledge, with post-graduate courses, labora- 
tories for scientific investigation, libraries and an 
ample teaching staff. Such an institution was 
then unknown in this country. He opened the way 
for it, slowly but surely. The enthusiasm of the 
leader inspired like feeling among his followers. 
The success which the University of Michigan 
has achieved is in a large sense due to his initi- 
ative. The educational interests of Michigan, and 
of the whole country as well, owe a debt to Dr. 
Tappan which can not be t(io freciuently called to 
mind. 

J.\MES C. WATSON. 

James Craig Watson was torn in Middlesex, 
now Elgin count)-, Canada, west, June 28, 1838. 
His parents removed from .\ortliumberland 
count}', Peimsylvania, sometime previous to his 
birth, h'rom here his father removed with his 
family to Michigan ami located in -\nn Arbor. 
Professor Watson was essentially a self-made 
man. For a time he was employed as a printer 
on the Michigan .\rgns. r>\' industry and self- 
denial be secured the means which ]iermitted 
him to obtain a college education. .\11 that he 
has become, all tiie reputation that he has at- 
tained, is due to his indomitable ])reseverance, 
and the determination with which he set himself 
to surmount the obstacles which stood in his 
path. Professor Watson graduated at Michigan 
I^niversity with high honors in 1857, and was 
the first pupil of the famous astronomer. Dr. 
Mrunnow. who was then director of the observa- 
tory and professor of astronomy in the I'niver- 
sity of Michigan. Soon after his graduation, in 
the year 1858. he was appointed instructor in 
mathematics, in the university, and assistant ob- 
server. In 1859. upon the retirement of Professor 
ISrunnow, .Mr. ^^'atson was apjiointed professor 
of astronomw which position he held during the 



college years 1859-60. In the latter year he 
accepted the chair of physics in the university, 
which he held for three years. He was then ap- 
pointed professor of astronomy and director of 
the observatory, upon the recommendation of 
many of the leading astronomers of the country. 
.\lthough only 25 years of age his abilities and 
pre-eminent qualification for this responsible po- 
sition had already won recognition, and even 
thus early had he given evidence of the future 
eminence which he was to attain. These positions 
he held until 1879, when he resigned them to ac- 
cept a similar jjlace in the University of Wiscon- 
sin, at IMailison, Wis., where very great induce- 
ments and superior facilities were offered him. 
During his long directorship of the observatory 
here, although only 25 years of age at the time 
of his appointment, the list of discoveries and 
contributions made by him from a record of 
which any university might be proud. 

Professor Watson was elected a member of 
the National .Academy of Sciences in 1867; of 
the American Philosophical Society in 1877; of 
the Royal .\cademy of Sciences, Catania, Italy, 
in 1870. He was the discoverer of 23 asteroids, 
for which he received in 1870 the gold medal of 
the French .\cademy of Sciences. In 1875 he 
receivetl from the khedive of Egypt the decora- 
tion of knight commander of the Imperial Order 
of the Medjidich of Turkey and Egypt. He was 
appointed judge of awards in the Centennial ex- 
position. He received the degree of Ph. D. from 
the University of Leipsic in 1870, and from Yale 
University in 1871. In 1877 Columbia College 
conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. 

He was placed by the government of the 
United States in charge of the expedition to 
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to observe the total eclipse of 
the sun in i86g; was sent to Carlentina, Sicily, 
for a similar purpose in 1870. and to Pekin. 
China, in charge of the expedition of 1874 to 
observe the transit of Vemis. The notes of his 
observations on the latter expedition are very 
valuable and voluminous. The last and most 
noted of Professor Watson's discoveries was that 
made in July, 1878, in Wyoming, of the existence 
of one and probably two intra-Mercurial planets. 
Alwavs a firm believer in Leverrier's theorv of 



688 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTW 



the existence of X'ulcan, he had the satisfaction 
on this expedition of proving its positive ex- 
istence, and of ol)taining convincing proof to 
himself, at least, of still another intra-Mercurial 
planet of lesser magnitude. 

Professor Watson died at Madison, Wis., Tues- 
day, November 23, 1880, while in the prime of 
his life. Professor C. K. Adams said of him : "In 
the death b'f Professor Watson science lost one 
of its greatest lights and the University of Michi- 
gan the most illustrious of its alumni. Where- 
ivcr astronomy is a science the name of Watson 
has become fainiliar to every scholar. His fame 
has spread not only over America and Europe, 
1iut his services have been sought and his la- 
bors rewarded by nations on the opposite side 
of the globe, where science is but little known. 
It is no disparagement either to the living or the 
dead to say that in the peculiar sphere of his in- 
tellectual activity he has probably had no superior 
in the. history of this country. With all Professor 
Watson's genius he united the modesty of the 
most genuine scholarship. His name was much 
more frequently spoken in scientific circles than 
in popular society. During the last years of his 
life he even left the announcement of his dis- 
coveries to the scientific journals and societies 
to which he alone contributed. For many years 
he was a regular contributor of the most promi- 
nent scientific journals of Europe and America, 
and by these journals many of his discoveries 
were first announced.'' 

lU'.XRY SIAtMONS FRIEZE. 

Henry Simmons Frieze was professor of Latin 
language and literature in the University of 
Michigan from 1854 to 1889. He was born in 
Boston,' Mass., September 15, 1817, and died at 
his home, in Ann Arbor, December 7, 1889. He 
was graduated at Brown university in 1841 at 
the head of his class. For the three years subse- 
quent to his graduation he was a tutor in that 
university. Then for 10 years he was one of the 
two proprietors and principals of the University 
Grammar school in Providence, which was a 
noted preparatory school for students going to 
college. Under the persuasions of his friend, 



Professor Boise, who had resigned the chair of 
Greek in Brown university to accept a similar 
position in the Ilniversity of Michigan in 1853, 
he accc])ted the chair of Latin in the university 
and held it until his death. .Xfter the resignation 
of President Haven, in 1869, he held the office 
of acting president in the university until 1871, 
and again he acted in that capacity during the 
absence of President Angell in China from 1880 
to February, 1882. 

All his pupils bear loving testimony to the in- 
spiration and charm of his teaching. They caught 
from him the appreciation of what is finest and 
best in literature. The purity and beauty of his 
cliaracter left their impress upon all who came 
under his influence. Many important changes in 
university methods were due tb his suggestion 
or fostered liy his wise support. We owe to him 
the introduction of the so-called diploma relation 
of the schools to the university and the provision 
for musical study. He was a warm advocate of 
the extension of the elective system. He ac- 
tively encouraged the development of graduate 
work. He was ever seeking to elevate the range 
and to enrich the character of university teach- 
ing. No man except President Tappan has done 
so much to give to the university its present 
form and spirit. 

He has long been widely known by his 
scholarly work in editing \'crgil and Ouintilian. 
Among his writings of conspicuous importance 
may be mentioned his life of the Italian sculptor. 
Giovanni Duprc, his memorial address on Dr. 
Tajjpan, his address on Religion and the State 
University dellivery at our semi-centennial cele- 
bration in 1887. and the annual reports which he 
made while acting president. 

I'lUt valuable as were his public services, what 
is uppermost in the minds of his pupils is his 
winsome personality. They will recall his un- 
wearying kindness, the culti\'ation of their taste 
for art, for music, for the choicest things in litera- 
ture by their association with him, the strengthen- 
ing of manliness and nobility of character by 
the lessons he drew from the examples he studied 
with them in Roman literature and history. Few 
of us have had the good fortune to know men 
whose aesthetic nature was so finely attuned and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



689 



developed as his. He was bora with a marked 
natural gift for music, and this faculty was 
sedulously cultivated from his boyhood. His 
skill as an organist was great and his talent as 
a musical composer was conspicuous. No other 
person has done more to cultivate in the uni- 
versity and in the town a love for the best music. 
He was also a most appreciative lover of painting 
and sculpture, was largely instrumental in secur- 
ing the collections of the works of art which are 
possessed by the university, and gave to his 
classes most inspiring and instructive lectures on 
art. His life was also enriched by the simplest 
and most genuine Christian spirit. 

Hundreds of graduates are ever testifying how 
great a debt they owe to him for all the best 
ideals which have shaped and brightened their 
lives. For them and for the university he de- 
lighted to live and to toil. No one was ever more 
devoted to the interests of the institution or 
cherished a more abiding hope for its permanent 
prosperity and usefulness. During the later 
years of his life he used to say that he should 
like to live to see 2,000 students on the university 
grounds. Not that he admired mere bigness, but 
he believed that the university could do work 
good enough to give a worthy training to so many 
students. He was spared to see his wish granted. 
His last days were made happy by the manifest 
signs that his aspirations for the university, to 
which he gave 35 years of his life, were to be 
fully met in the days that were to come. 

JOHX J. ROniSON. 

lion, John J. Robison was born in Palmyra, 
N. Y., August 13, 1824. He was the son of 
.Vndrew Robison, who removed with his family 
to Sharon in 1843, where he resided until his 
death in 1879. Andrew Robison was a member 
of the Michigan state legislature of 1859, and also 
served as supervisor of Sharon township for a 
number of years. 

John J. Robison was married to Miss Althea 
E. Gillett, of Sharon, May 2. 1847. ^Ir. Robi- 
son was a frequent delegate to democratic state 
conventions, and was a delegate to the democratic 
national convention of 1S72. He represented 



Sharon on the board of supervisors for three 
terms. In i860 he was defeated for count}- clerk; 
in 1862 he was elected state senator, and re- 
elected in 1864; in 1868 he was elected county 
clerk, and re-elected in 1870; in 1874 and 1876 
he was the democratic nominee for congress, be- 
ing defeated by small majorities; in 1882 he was 
elected county clerk again, and re-elected in 1884; 
in 1886 he was elected mayor of Ann Arbor; in 
1878 he was elected a member of the state legis- 
lature, and was complimented by his party with 
the nomination for speaker of the house. He was 
a famous story teller and a man of a strong and 
winning personality. He died at Sharon, October 
26, 1897. 

Tl [O.MAS M. COOLEY. 

Judge Thomas ^I. Cooley was born in Attica, 
N. Y., January 6, 1824. He sprang from sturdy 
Yankee stock, his first American ancestor settling 
in Massachusetts in 1630. His father was 
a farmer, who removed from Massachussets to 
New York in 1804. .\lthough in possession of but 
moderate means and a large family he was able to 
give his children a fair academic education, which 
in Judge Cooley's case was supplemented by three 
\'€ars' teaching. Judge Cooley worked on the farm 
and at a blacksmith's forge until at the age of 19, 
when he entered the office of Judge Theron R. 
Strong, at Palmyra, N. Y. The following year 
he started west, intending to locate at Chicago, 
but his funds gave out and he stopped at Adrian, 
Mich., where he entered the law office of Tiffany 
& Beaman. While a law student in this office 
he held the office of deputy county clerk. 

In January, 1846, at the age of 22, he was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and the December following 
was married to Miss Mary E. Horton, who died 
in 1 891. Theirs was a true love match and their 
married life was in every way a happy one. She 
was a W'oman of fine character and was of great 
assistance to Judge Cooley in his work, and her 
death was a great blow to him, from which he 
never fully recovered. 

He began to practice law at Tecumseh in Janu- 
ary, 1846, with Consider-~S. Stacy as a partner. 
Two years later he removed to Adrian, forming 
a partnership with F. C. Picaman and R. R. 



690 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Beecher. This continued imtil 1852, when he re- 
moved to Toledo. He returned to Adrian in 1854 
and formed a partnership with Charles M. Cros- 
wil], which continued until 1859, when Judge 
Cooley removed to Ann Arbor, at which place 
h€ lived until his death in 1898. 

His law business was alwa\s a profitable one. 
Hardly a case of any importance was tried in 
this county for years in which Judge Cooley did 
not appear on one side or the other. In 1837 
he was chosen by the legislature to compile the 
general statutes of the state, and some idea of 
the man's great energy may be known from the 
fact that within a year he had completed the 
compilation which bears his name and which was 
his first important contribution to the legal litera- 
ture of Michigan, and so well was the work done 
that it is still a guiding star to the legBl profession 
and subsequent compilers have seen no cause to 
depart liiaterially from the lines he laid down. 
In 1858 the supreme court, as now constituted, 
was organized and Mr. Cooley was made re- 
porter. Here again he set a standard difficult 
to attain. The eight volumes that bear his name 
are equal to any like productions ever published, 
and won him wide recognition in other states. 

In 1859. when the University of Michigan 
established a law department, Judge Cooley was 
made one of the first professors and his name 
was on the faculty list of the university from that 
time until his death. For 25 years he lectured 
on legal and constitutional subjects and when 
I'rofessor C. K. Adams was made president of 
Cornell he took Adams' place as professor of his- 
tory. During his late years his lectures were only 
occasional. As a teacher he was loved, honored 
and respected. His method was thoroughness 
itself. No problem was so perplexing that he 
could not make a solution clear. 

In 1864, after six years of work as supreme 
court reporter, he was nominated for supreme 
justice on the repulilican ticket and was elected 
over the late ex-(}overnor Felch. He remained 
on the supreme bench until 1885. During the 
period of his justiceship in conjunction with col- 
leagues of unusual ability, he did much to give 
the Michigan supreme court an enviable reputa- 
tion throughout the United States for the .sound- 



ness and clearness of its decisions. He wrote 
the opinions in many of the most important cases, 
and these opinions, logically and splendidly ex- 
pressed, stand as valuable precedents for future 
decisions in this as well as other states. In fact, 
no state has ever had as able a bench as Michi- 
gan had when Cooley, Campbell, (jraves and 
Christiancy were justices of the sujireme court. 
Throughout his long service on the bench, Judge 
Cooley spared himself nothing. The duties of 
the high position which he held are sufficiently 
arduous when stripped of their clerical labor, 
which the judge may properly delegate to others, 
but to these essential duties Judge Cooley added 
the drudgery of office work. He was always his 
own amanuensis, writing his own opinions with 
his own hand and often giving the court reporter 
the syllabus which should precede his opinions 
as finally published Even when copies of his de- 
cisions or opinions were requested they came from 
hi.s own pen and every reasonable demand for an 
address, or for attendance at a public occasion, 
was met with cordial acquiesence and a prompt 
fulfillment of his promises. His usual custom 
was to sit at his office desk writing steadily from 
8 a. m. to 6 p. ni., with a 20-minutes intermission 
to look over his mail and an hour for dinner, 
and when he would appear at his office the next 
morning he would bring a great roll of copy 
which he liad written during the previous even- 
ing. 

Three years lieforc he retired from the bench 
he was asked liy the presidents of the Pjaltimore 
&• ( )hio, Pennsylvania, Erie & New York Cen- 
tral railroads to serve on a board of arbitration 
which was to settle a question of a difference in 
rates. His colleagues were Senator Thurman, 
and ex-Minister Washburn. The board did much 
to stop ruinous rate wars and discrimination 
against various cities. 

In 1886 Judge Cooley was appointed by Judge 
Walter O. Gresham received of the Wabash rail- 
road. It was a trying position, involving the 
operation of a long and complicated system, both 
ends of which were under hostile management. 
In three months he liad the road on a paying 
basis. 

When the interstate commerce commission was 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



691 



organized. Judge Cooley was made its first chair- 
man. He was, in fact, the life of the commission, 
and man}- of the decisions made in the earlier 
months of its existence bear the impress of his 
masterly mind. In 1891 he was obHgcd liy ill- 
health to resign. Since that time he lived (|iiietly 
a retired life in .A.nn Arbor, occasionally deliver- 
ing a lecture in the university. 

Judge Cooley was twice mentioned for the su- 
preme court of the United States; first, when 
.Stanley .Mathews, of Ohio, was appointed, and 
again when Melville W. Fuller was selected for 
Chief Justice Waiters place. Inasmuch as Judge 
Cooley "s political views were in almost complete 
accord with those of President Cleveland there 
are those who believe he would have been ap- 
pointed had he allowed his friends to make the 
neces.sary elifort. 

Great as were his contributions on the bench 
and on the lecture platform, it is through his 
books that Judge Cooley will be best remembered. 
The most famous of these is "Constitutional 
Limitations." which appeared in 1868. and which 
has since passed through seven editions. Two 
years later came his edition of Blackstone : in 
1874 his edition of Story's Commentaries; in 
1876 his book on Taxation; in 1879 his work on 
Torts; in 1880 his manual of Constitutional Law. 
and in 1885 his History of Michigan, published 
in the American Commonwealth Series. He was 
also a voluminous contributor to magazines and 
reviews such as the Century, the North American 
Review and the Forum. He wrote law articles 
for the last edition of Appleton's Encyclopaedia. 
James Bryce, the famous Englishman, who wrote 
the "American Commonwealth," was in almost 
con.stant communication with Judge Cooley. and 
his book acknowledges the valuable aid which 
Judge Cooley gave him. 

JOSICPH KST.MIKOOK. 

Joseph Estaljrook. who was so thoroughly 
identified with educatio!i in Ypsilanti. and who 
has left an impress upon that city, was born July 
3. 1820. at IJath. X. H. He was a descendant of 
Joseph Estabrook. who had graduated from Har- 
vard college and had been pastor of a church at 



Concord, Mass.. for 44 years. 'i"he family moved 
from New Hampshire to .Xew York in 1833. and 
a few vears later to Clinton, Lenawee county. 
.Michigan. .Mr. Estabrook's early education was 
obtained in the district schools. Later he worked 
on a farm during the summer and taught school 
during the winter in order to procure means 
for a college course, and in 1843 '""^ entered 
Oberlin. graduating in 1847. Some years later 
he obtained the degree of A. M. from Oberlin, 
and a short time before his death Oberlin con- 
ferred upon him the degree of D. D. He taught 
school in Clinton and Tecumseh and in 1853 be- 
came principal of the public schools of Ypsilanti. 
in which position he remained until 1866, when he 
was appointed superintendent of the schools of 
East Saginaw. He held this position until 1871. 
when he was appointed principal of the Normal 
School at Ypsilanti. He then l>ecamc connected 
with Olivet College, where he remained until his 
death. He served as regent of the university for 
six years, and as state superintendent of public 
instruction for four years. He was a man of 
great physical ability with a well developed in- 
tellect, and an unusual depth and strength of 
emotional nature. He was a well beloved teacher 
anfl the lapse of time has not dimmed his memory 
in Ypsilanti. 



CHAPTER X\ II. 



Pl'lM.IC lirll.DIXCS. 



Washtenaw had been laid out as a county in 
1822, and the county was first organized by legis- 
lative act to take effect December 31, 1826. In 
the spring of 1827 there were about 1.500 people, 
in the county, and in July, 1827. it was estimated 
that the inhabitants numbered 2.000. Previous 
to the organization of the comity, it had been 
connected for judicial puqjoses with the county 
of Wayne. The county seat of Washtenaw was se- 
lected as early as 1827. and the selection has been 
made by a commission composed of R. Smyth. J. 
L. Lieb. J. M. Closkcy. F. C. Sheldon. T. Row- 
land and S. Cotant. The condition on which 
Ann Arlxir was selected was that a block should 



692 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



be donated on which a courthouse might be buiU, 
and also a block on which a jail might be built. 
The blnek for the courthouse was donated by John 
Allen, and the block for the jail by E. W. Rum- 
sey. These were the men who had first settled 
Ann Arbor and who had platted the new village 
in May, 1824. As a matter of, fact, at the time 
Ann Arbor was selected for the county seat, it 
was the only platted village in the county. 

The first public building in the county was, of 
course, a jail, and it was located on what was 
known in the old days as the jail square. This 
jail square was between 4th and 5th Avenues, 
and between Liberty and Washington streets. 
This first pul)lic building was built in 1829, and 
has been thus described by a pioneer writer : 

"About the year 1829, the citizens of Ann Ar- 
bor and vicinity contributed, each according to 
his ability, some timber, lumber, work or other 
materials necessary for the construction of a 
building that would answer for a county prison. 
Such an edifice was built on the "old jail square," 
with rooms for the jailor and one cell. The cell 
was made of timber 'bents.' The shoulders of 
the posts of each bent projected over the ends of 
the timbers of which the floor was made. Heavy 
oak planks were spiked on the walls and floor. 
The door was made of timber. At the next term 
of the county court after the jail was built. Judge 
Dexter, the presiding judge, ordered the grand 
jury to visit the jail and inspect it, and report if 
in their opinion it was suitable for the purposes 
for which it was constructed. 

"Quite a number of the jurymen had served 
as grand jurymen before, and being of genial 
dispositions, and loving a little fun when there 
was nothing else to do, framed a set of by-laws 
which imposed fines for various offenses, sucli 
as being absent at roll-call, etc.. payable in beer. 
Every member who had not served as a grand 
juryman, or held office in a grand jury, was 
made to pay his initiation fee. When the order 
for visiting and inspecting (lie jail was received 
Ijy the foreman. Col. Orrin White, and made 
known to the jury, it was voted that they should 
form in a body and march in double file, led bv 
the foreman and secretary (Gen. Edward Clark, 
of Ann .\rbor) under the supervision of the 
officer in charge. This vote was obeved. On 



arriving at the jail tlie cell door was thrown open 
and the foreman and secretary stepped in. when 
the door was closed upon them and locked. The 
merry faces of the 'old ones' were at the diamond 
hole and the question asked. 'Did you see a gal- 
lon of beer each '' I^ittle notice was taken of 
this at first Init finally the beer was promised, 
the door was unlocked and the balance of the 
jury came in. but not until after a plan had been 
agreed upon by the two prisoners. While the 
others were inspecting, the foreman and secre- 
tary quietly moved around the cell toward the 
door, and before their object was suspected thev 
were outside and the door closed and locked. Once 
more the question was asked, 'Do you see a 
gallon of beer each?' When the fine was prom- 
ised, the door was opened. The report of that 
jury to the court was that the jail -was worthy 
of the acceptance of Washtenaw countv. No 
prisoners ever escaped from it only 'by due pro- 
cess of law.' fsrael Branch was the first jailor 
of the county." 

The old jail within wliich the foreman and sec- 
retary of the grand jury which inspected it were 
thus confined was burned a few years afterwards. 

Tt was several years after the county of Wash- 
tenaw was organized before a courthouse was 
Iniilt. In the winter of 1833 the Territorial 
Legislative Council authorized the county of 
\^'ashtenaw to issue bonds for the purpose of 
building a courthouse, and in 1834 the old court- 
house was erected on the site where the pres- 
ent courthouse now stands. . It was a two story 
brick building painted brown, with a small hexa- 
gonal wooden cupola. The entrance to the build- 
ing was at the front and close to the ground. 
There were three doors in front on the ground 
floor and a liall which ran the length of the build- 
ing. Above each of the doors in front was a 
second story window with small panes of glass 
and outside shutters. On each side of the court- 
house there were six windows for each story. 
The courtroom was in the second stor\- and the 
county offices in the first story. This building was 
used for many years after it became inadequate 
for the work of the county, and at the time it 
was torn down had served its purpose as a court- 
house for forty-four vears. 

.\n attempt hafl been made to build a new 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



693 



courthouse for quite a uunibcr of years before 
any action was taken. The people of the county, 
through fear of increased taxation, did not feel 
the need of a new courthouse as did the people 
of the city of Ann Arbor. In 1876 the Ann 
Arbor city council offered to donate for the city 
of Ann Arbor $20,000 in addition to Ann Arbor's 
share of the regular county taxes, on condition 
that the county would use $40,000 for the erec- 
tion of a new courthouse building. This pro- 
duced, finally, action on the part of the board of 
supervisors in their session in October, 1876, and 
resolutions were passed by the board, recognizing 
the great need of a new courthouse. These reso- 
lutions set up the fact that the courthouse then 
in use had by decay and by reason of long use 
become dilapidated, inconvenient, unconifortable, 
unhealthy and unsafe for occupancy, that the 
records and documents of the several county 
offices were in danger of being destroyed by fire, 
that the laws nf the state explicitly required that 
all organized counties should be provided with a 
suitable courthouse, that the courthouse then in 
use was no longer suitable, and that, as the city 
of Ann Arbor had generously ofifcred to donate 
a large proportion of the necessary sum required 
to build a courthouse, it was the opinion of the 
board that the public interest and safety, and the 
permanent preservation of the important records 
and documents of the several county offices de- 
manded the immediate erection of a new court- 
bouse building, with fireproof vaults attached to 
the offices of the county clerk, the register of 
deeds, judge of probate and county treasurer. The 
question of authorizing a loan by the county of 
$40,000 was submitted to the people at the April 
election of 1877, and was carried. The city of 
Ann Arbor contributed $25,000 towards the 
building of the courthouse on condition that it 
b^d a council room in the building. 

The contract for building was awarded on 
plans furnished by G. W. Bunting, of Indian- 
apolis, to McCormick and Sweany, of Columbus, 
Indiana, on June 28, 1877, for $56,900. Work 
was iminediatel}' commenced, and on October 25, 
1877, the cornerstone of the new building was laid 
Avith imposing ceremonies. The citv was filled 
•with people from early morning, and was deco- 



rated throughout with streamers and American 
flags. A big procession marched through the 
streets, manv in the procession being University 
students, and the speaking on the occasion took 
place on a stand erected on the courthouse square 
on the corner of x^nn street and Fourth avenue. 
Judge Edwin Lawrence was president of the day. 
The Ti-iclge liad been chairman of the board of 
building inspectors, and took occasion to refer to 
the criticisms which had been passed upon the 
the work by the citizens, each of whom felt that 
he had a right to criticise. The prayer on this 
occasion was made by the Rev. Dr. Cocker of the 
University, and the orator of the day was Chaun- 
cev loslvn, of Ypsilanti. The cornerstone was 
laid by Ex-Governor Alpheus Felch, and speeches 
were then made by Professor William P. Wells, 
of Dexter, Densmore Cramer, of Ann Arbor, and 
Hon. J. W^ebster Childs, of Augusta. 

The new courthouse was much more imposing 
than the old one. It is 80x127 feet in size and 
al)out 54 feet high. In the center rises a tower 
to a height of 152 feet from the basement. On 
each corner of the building is a small tower, and 
in the center on each side was placed a figure of 
justice, which figures are now .somewhat dilapi- 
dated. The building cost to erect, furnished, 
,$83,000; and a Si. 000 clock, the gift of Luther 
James, was placed in the tower. 

When the building was first erected it was said 
to be fireproof but that motion has entirel\- dis- 
appeared from the minds of the people. About 
five A-ears ago an attempt was made to fireproof 
the office of the register of deeds and to provide 
steel cases for the records of deeds and mort- 
gages and the iilnts of the county. An effort is 
now being made to do the same thing for the 
records of the county probate office, ^^^^ere the 
fireproof vaults mentioned in the resolutions of 
the board of supervisors for the building of the 
courthouse, are located, the officers of today are 
unable to determine. 

The second jail in the county of \\'ashtenaw 
was erected on Xorth },inin street, about four 
blocks from the courth(juse, in 1837, by John 
Allen and Robert Davidson, at a cost of $17,000, 
and was considered at tlie time an extremely 
handsome building'. After the countv had deter- 



694 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



mined that a third new jail was necessary, this 
building- was sold to John J- Robison, who tore 
down the jail part of the building and erected 
several smaller houses from the bricks thus ob- 
tained, and fitted up the sheriffs residence por- 
tion of the old jail for a residence for himself. 
where he lived for some years. This building 
still stands. 

In 1885 the third and present jail of the county 
was erected. It is located on the corner of Ann 
and Ashley streets and has already become on 
occasions too small for the number of persons to 
be confined there. This new jail and sherifif's 
residence cost $21,000. 

The county farm was located in the township 
of Pittsfield on section 4. on land purchased of 
Claudius Pritton. C)n this land the county poor 
house was erected. This building is still in ex- 
istence. It has been added to from time to time 
and the new additions are marked from the oUl 
by steps up or down in passing from floor to floor. 
It is now (|uite old and dilapidated, and although 
for a long time it has been kept scrupulously 
clean, it is not a building of which a county as 
wealthy as Washtenaw can feel proud, and is one 
of the things that should be looketl after in the 
near future by lieing torn down and a new build- 
ing erected. 

In the fall of 1904 an effort was made to se- 
cure the erection of a county building to be called 
the detention hospital, for the care of contagious 
diseases. The contagious disease bills of the 
county had become as large as the bills for crimi- 
nal prosecutions. Individual cases of Simallpox 
had cost the county as high as $3,000, and it be- 
came a problem on the part of the board of super- 
visors to limit this ex]X'nse within reasonable 
bounds. On account of the location of the medical 
colleges at .\nn -Vrbor, and the need of instruc- 
tion for medical students in contagious as well as 
other diseases, it was found that an arrangement 
could be made with the university for the medi- 
cal attendance and nursing of contagious disease 
patients at the same rate charged by the state in 
the regular hospitals for diseases other than con- 
tagious. It was jilanned to bring all the con- 
tagious disease [latients from various parts of the 
county, for which the county nnist pav, to this 



hospital by means of ambulances, and thus avoid 
the heavy expense for medical care and attend- 
ance which had been in vogue. .\t the election 
the following .\pril, this cjuestion was submitted 
to the people and they were asked to vote $15,000 
for the erection of a contagious disease hospital. 
This proposition was defeated. The city of Ann 
.\rbor voted almost unanimously for the erection 
of the hospital but the townships turned down the 
project. Afterwards an attempt was made by the 
city of .\nn .\rljor to build a hospital of its own 
for this same purpose, and the project carried at 
the polls, although the saving in expenditure for 
contagious disease patients thus gained would be 
a saving for the ta.xpayers of the entire county 
instead of for the city of Ann Arbor alone. But 
by this time the regents of the University had 
changed their minds upon the matter and declined 
to accept the tcufler of a contagious disease hos- 
pital and agree to maintain it together with fur- 
nishing the necessary medical attendance and 
nursing. Thus the project again fell through. 



CHAPTER .Will. 



KAPm si-:T'rr.i-:MENT. 



So rapid was the settlement nf W^ashtenaw that 
by 1830. or seven years after the first pioneer 
arrived in the county, the population was 4042, 
while \\'a\iu' countx-, settled 129 }ears before 
( 1701 ) had a population of 6781, only 1730 in 
excess of Washtenaw. 

Then began the heyday of settlement. The 
flood of emigration from the east quickly took n|) 
the availalile land in the county and in 1837 the 
tovvnshi]is of Pittsfield. .Superinr and Webster 
contained a larger pojiidation than they do today. 
In the four vears between 1830 and 1834 the 
county gained over 10,000 in po])ulation, having 
14.920 in 1834 as against 40^2 in 1830. Wayne 
county, including Detroit, had grown no faster, 
and in 1834 exceeded Washtenaw by only 1,718. 
In the next three years the tide of immigration 
showed no appreciable diminution, and in 1837 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



69s 



Washtenaw had a population of 21.817. Wayne, 
in spite of a heavy growth in Detroit's population, 
exceeded these figures by only 1,583. Is it any 
wonder that our pioneer forefathers dreamed of 
establishing the metropolis of Michigan in 
Washtenaw ? 

The census of 1837 is the first one that has 
come dow^n to us that gives the population of the 
county by townships. There were twenty town- 
ships then, just as now, with the same bound- 
aries, except that Ann Arbor township then in- 
cluded what is now the city of Ann Arbor, and 
that Ypsilanti township then included what is 
now the cit\- of Ypsilanti. The names of the 
townships were the same as now, with one excep- 
tion. Pittsfield was then known as Pitt. 

The increase in population became less rapid 
after 1837. In 1840 Washtenaw had 23,571 popu- 
lation, a gain of but 1,754 in the three years, but 
even at that Washtenaw's gain had been larger 
than that of Wayne, w^hich now had only 597 
more inhabitants than Washtenaw. In 1845 
Washtenaw had 26,979 population, a gain of 3,408 
in five years. Detroit had then increased to such 
size that the supremacy of Wayne county in popu- 
lation in the state was not thereafter to be ques- 
tioned. P.y 1850 there had been a further in- 
crease of 1558 in population in the county. 

Between 1850 and 1854 the population of the 
county was stationary. In fact the census showed 
a loss of thirteen, the tide of immigration had 
grown much less, only enough to take the places 
of those who. accustomed to being in the van- 
guard of civilization, had emigrated farther west, 
there to become pioneers of other states. P>ut be- 
tween 1854 and i860 Washtenaw again showed 
symptoms of rapid growth and in i860 the countv 
had a population of 35,686, a gain of 7,132 in six 
years. Then came the war in which Washtenaw 
furnished 4,000 soldiers to the Union armies ; 
and in 1864 the p(i])ulation dropped to 34,048. 
With the close of the war ])rosperity again came 
to Washtenaw and in 1870 her [jopulation was 
41.440: in 1880 it was 41,848; in 1884 it was 
4(,6g4; in 1890 it was 42,210; in 1894 it was 
43.309; in 1900 it was 47.761, and in 1904 it 
was 46,776. These latter figures are deficient 



as a citv census, with the name of each inhabitant 
taken, made in Ann Arbor in that year, showed 
a population of 17,149, instead of 14,599, ^s given 
in the state census. In one township an error 
of 100 was made in the compilation, and a cor- 
rect taking of the census would have shown a 
population of at least 50,000 in the county. 

A studv of the census figures will give a 
comprehensive view of the growth of the county. 
The first census taken in the county was the ter- 
ritorial census of 1827. but the record of it can 
not be found and the only portion of this cen- 
sus now extant relates to the city of Detroit 
alone, which on that date had 2,152 inhabitants. 
The first census of Washtenaw of which the 
figures are extant was the national census of 1830. 
This census was published in two parts ; first, as 
returned, and again as revised. There were five 
townships in Washtenaw at this time. Ypsilanti, 
Ann Arbor, Dexter, Saline and Panama, but in 
the original returns Panama is given twice, and 
the returns by townships were Ypsilanti, 971 ; 
.\nn .\rbor. 965 : Dexter. 837 : Panama, 
319; Panama, 472. and Saline, 478. This 
makes a total of 4.042, counting Panama 
twice. In tlie revised returns as published by 
the census bureau the population by towns is not 
given, the statement Ijcing made, "The assistant 
not having properly divided the towns." Rut the 
population of the county as a whole is given as 
4,042, which agrees with the nnrevised figures 
in which Panama is twice given. It is impossible 
to say at this late date whether the county was 
actually divided into six census districts, each 
of two enumerators labeled his returns Panama, 
or whether there was a duplication of returns. 
In the county in 1830 were 7 colored people, 
all of whom were in -\nn .\rljor. There were 
14 unnaturalized foreigners in Ypsilanti and 13 
in .Ann .\rbor. It is surprising to note the num- 
ber of children in the countw More than half 
of the inhabitants were under 20 years of age. 
Of the 4,035 white inhabitants, 2,276 were under 
20; of the remainder. 1,322 were under 40. and 
only 437 above that age. A third of the popula- 
tion was between twenty and forty, and a third 
of the po])ulation was under 10. The most nu- 



696 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTEx^^AW COUNTY. 



merous age was between 20 and 30, there being 
858 between these ages. Of the white population, 
2,261 were males and 1.774 females. 

By the territorial census of 1834 the popula- 
tion of the county was 14,920. The returns of 
this census have been lost and the only place 
thcv can be found is in a gazateer, and also an 
almanac for 1838. The returns by townships are 
not given. 

The first state census was taken in October, 
1837, when the population of the county was 21,- 
817. The population is given by townships and 
an interesting comparison may be made between 
this census and that of 1900 by townships, so 
that the growth from the time ^lichigan was 
first admitted to statehood may be traced bv 
townships to the last national census. The 
cities of Ann .\rbor and Ypsilanti are included 
in the townships in 1900, the same as they were 
in 1837, for the purpose of the comparison: 

Population Population 

Township. 1837. 1900. 

,\nn Arbor 2,994 I5..S45 

Augusta 559 1,739 

Bridgewater 923 1,011 

De.xter 596 6g6 

Freedom 795 1,013 

Lima 895 961 

T.odi 1.063 1. 121 

Lyndon 361 665 

Manchester 805 2,146 

Northfield 793 1,266 

Pittstield 1,208 1,050 

Salem 1-354 1.158 

Saline M.^O 1,668 

Scin 1,442 I -893 

Sliaron 782 984 

Sui)erior 1,378 1,039 

Sylvan 480 2,496 

York 1.197 1,952 

Ypsilanti 2,280 8,611 

Webster 832 747 

Total 21.817 47.761 

h will be seen that ;\ugusta has tripled in 
population in the jiast 63 years. This is due in 



part to the villages of Willis and Whittaker, 
which have sprung up within that time. But it 
is due also to the thorough drainage system put 
into the township, which has largely increased 
its productiveness. Lyndon has nearly doubled 
in population, although it still continues to be 
the smallest township in the county in popula- 
tion. This increase is due, of course, to the 
fact that at the time the census of 1837 was 
taken only four years had elapsed since the first 
settler had located in Lyndon. Manchester had 
grown from 805 people to 2,146. This was due 
to the development of Manchester village with a 
population of 1,209, within the township. North- 
field showed an increase of 473, due in part only 
to an increase in popvdation of Wliitmore Lake. 
Saline has grown 538 in population, due to the 
increase in numbers in the village of Saline. 
.Scio had increased 451, due to the growth of the 
population of the village of Dexter. Sharoii's 
growth of 202 was due entirely to the increase- 
in the agricultural ]50pulation, as there is r.o 
village within its borders. Sylvan showed an 
increase from 480 in 1837 to 2,496 in 1900. But 
the village of Chelsea, which was not in existence 
in 1837, in T900 had a population of 1,635, so 
that outside of the village the population had 
grown from 480 to 861. It will be remembered 
that in 1837 Sylvan had been recently settled. 
York had increased 753 in population, but this 
was due to the establishment within its borders 
of the village of Milan. There had been no in- 
crease in its agricultural population. The town- 
shijjs of Pittsfield, Salem, Superior and Web- 
ster showed an actual decrease in population. 
These townships, it will be remembered, are 
purely agricultural. 

In 1837 the village of Ann Arbor had about 
2,000 inhabitants, and the village of Ypsilanti 
had about 1,000. Dexter and Saline, the two 
other villages of the county, did not exceed be- 
tween them 800 in population. So that the vil- 
lage popidation of the county in 1837 was about 
3,800, and the rural population about 18.000. In 
1900. the cit\- of Ann .Vrbor contained 14,509 
inhabitants, the city of Ypsilanti 7,348, while the 
po]iulation of Chelsea was 1,635, Dexter 900, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



697 



Manchester T.209, Milan 1,141 and Saline 584; 
a total of 21,857 of city population and 4.469 
incorporated village population, leaving the rural 
population of the county, including tha' of the 
unincorporated villages of Whittakcr, Willis, 
Whitmore Lake, Salem and Dixboro at 21,435. 
an increase of only about 3,400 in 63 years. 

In the national census of 1840 the population 
of 9 townships in the county are given separately, 
and the other 11 townships containing the 
greater part of the population, are lumped to- 
gether and called the residue of the county. The 
village of .Vnn Arbor is in the residue. The 
population of Washtenaw in 1840 was 23,571, 
an increase of 1,754 in three years. Superior 
had 20 more people than in 1837, Ypsilanti had 
grown by 139, Salem had increased no, Pitts- 
field had lost 57, York had lost 51, Augusta had 
increased 87, Saline had made the largest in- 
crease, 260, Lodi had increased 14 and Freedom 
161. The residue of the county had increased 
1,171. The 1840 census for the first time gives 
some idea of the occupation of the people ; 4,482 
were employed in agriculture, 963 in manufac- 
turing and the trades, 117 in the professions and 
engineering, 112 in commerce, 13 in navigation 
and 9 were revoluntionar\- pensioners. 

There were 70 colored people. Of the whites, 
the males exceeded the females by 1,339 ''"^ 
the majority of the inhabitants were under 20. 
To be exact, there were 5,954 males and 4,862 
females over 20, and 6,466 males and 6,219 fe- 
males under 20. As it was a new country it was 
natural that the men should outnumber the 
women. 

In 1850 the population was 28,567, of whom 
231 were colored. There were at this time five 
people in the county over 90 years of age. The 
township of Ann Arbor contained 4,868. This 
was a year before the village of Ann Arbor was 
carved out of the township and incorporated as a 
city. The township of Ypsilanti contained 3,051, 
while the township which had the smallest num- 
ber of inhabitants was Augusta, with 808. In 
the year 1850 there were 5,142 houses in the 
county. There were 655 births during the year 
and 339 deaths. The University of Michigan, in 
the census, is put down as having 153 students 



and 12 teachers, while the public schools of the 
county contained 8,302 pupils and had 160 teach- 
ers. There were 250 adults in the county who 
could neither read nor write. The live stock 
amounted to 5.670 horses, 8,016 milch cows, 
4.378 working oxen, which, by the way, have 
absolutely disappeared from the county, 9,944 
other cattle, 94,105 sheep, 16,911 swine and the 
live stock was valued at $687,612. During the year 
there had been produced 528,042 bushels of wheat, 
6,641 bushels of rye, 389,218 bushels of com, 
211,465 bushels of oats, 250,775 pounds of wool, 
3,348 bushels of peas and beans, 133,227 bushels 
of potatoes, 7,070 bushels of barley, 42,478 
bushels of buckwheat, 586,906 pounds of butter, 
109,379 pounds of cheese, 40,387 tons of hay, 
3,843 bushels of clover seed, 1,218 bushels of 
grass seed, 712 pounds of flax, 61,007 pounds of 
maple sugar, 689 gallons of molasses and 26;266 
pounds of beeswax and honey. 

The public libraries in the county numbered 
12, containing 4,901 volumes; the tmiversity li- 
brary contained 5,000 volumes, and one school 
library contained 1,500 volumes. • 

There were 5 Baptist churches with seating ac- 
commodations for 1,930, 4 Congregational 
churches with a seating capacity of 1,900, 3 Epis- 
copal churches with a seating capacity of 825, i 
Free church which seated 700. i Church of 
Friends which seated 100, 3 Lutheran churches 
which could seat 625, 13 Methodist churches with 
a seating capacity of 5.375. 7 Presbyterian 
churches with a seating capacity of 2,450, 5 
Roman Catholic churches with a seating capacity 
of 2,100 and 2 Universalist churches with a seat- 
ing capacity of 400, or a total of 44 churches with 
a seating capacity of 16,405, a little over half of 
the people in the county. 

In i860 the population of the county was 35,- 
686, of whoin 634 were colored and 3 were 
Indians. The population of Ann Arbor was 
5,097 and of Ypsilanti 3,955, while the smallest 
number of inhabitants were in Lyndon township, 
Augusta having increased to 1,140, and Lyndon 
having only 821. There were 28,692 native 
born citizens in the county, and 6,994 foreign- 
born. 

The census enumerators in i860 valued the 



698 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



real property of the count)- at $16,921,418 and 
the personal property at $6,405,834. There had 
been a considerable increase in the number of 
live stock within the county, there now being 
9,787 horses, 4 mules, 11,485 milch cows, 3,336 
working- oxen, 15,682 other cattle, 171,529 sheep, 
20,640 swine ; and the agricultural products for 
the year had been 686,803 bushels of wheat, 
22.194 bushels of rye, 819,335 bushels of corn, 
313,232 bushels of oats, 20,040 pounds of tobacco, 
583,724 pounds of wool, 10,019 bushels of peas 
and beans, 326,354 bushels of Irish potatoes, 578 
bushels of sweet potatoes. 26.188 bushels of bar- 
ley, 46.498 bushels of buckwheat, 1,076 gallons 
of wine, 985,194 pounds of butter, 119,441 
pounds of cheese, 69,478 tons of hay, 9,975 
bushels of clover seed. 2.500 pounds of hops, 
2,068 pounds of flax, 14,017 pounds of maple 
sugar. 3.633 gallons of sorghum molasses, 2.350 
pounds of Ijeeswax and 49.972 pounds of honey. 
In i860 there were 238 different manufactur- 
ing establishments in the county, employing 876 
males and 94 females. The annual cost of the 
labor was $283,474, and the annual value of the 
products was $1,957,748. The greatest manufac- 
turing industr\- of the county was its flouring 
mills, of wliich there were 21 with a capital of 
$260,500. employing 68 men at a wage cost of 
$23,040, paying $813,214 for their raw material, 
and producing manufactured i)n)ducts worth 
$977,820. In numbers there were more saw- 
mills than any other form of establishment, there 
being 33, employing 63 men and producing a 
manufactured product wx^rth $121,300. There 
were 21 blacksmith shops, employing 50 men; 
2T, boot and shoe shops, eniploying 80 men and 
3 women; 10 carriage shops, employing 51 men; 
5 brick)-ar(ls, employing 44 men ; 9 tailoring- 
shops, employing 33 men and 43 women ; 2 con- 
fectioneries, employing 5 men ; 4 breweries, em- 
ploying 12 men; 3 printing establishments, em- 
ploying 18 men ; 10 tin shops, employing 26 men ; 
2 wrapping ])a])er factories, eniploying 24 men and 
34 women ; and besides there was a scattering 
of many other industries. Tn all. there was a 
capital employed in manufacturing in the county 
of $849,400. 



There were now 55 churches in the county, 
with a seating capacity of 21,930, and with 
church property worth $162,000. It is evident 
that II new churches had been built within the 
10 years. 

In 1870 the population of the county was 41,- 
434, of whom 1,125 were colored and 2 were 
Indians. These Indians lived in Y])silanti. The 
population of Ann Arbor city alone was 7,363, 
and of Ypsilanti city 5,471. The only villages 
that are given specially b\^ the census are Dex- 
ter, with a population of 1,161 and Chelsea, with 
a population of 1,013. The most populous town- 
ship was Manchester, with 2,516. closely followed 
by Scio. with 2.495. The native population num- 
bered 32,708. and the foreign-born population 
8.726. There were 18,224 "ho iiad one or both 
Ijarents foreign-h(irn, and most of these 
seem to have had both parents foreign- 
born, for there were 17,426 with foreign- 
burn fathers and 16.678 with foreign-born, 
nintliers. ( )f the 32,708 native- born in- 
habitants. 21,028 were born in Michigan, 7.592 
in New York. 674 in Ohio. 520 in Pemisylvania, 
453 in Vermont and 152 in Indiana. Of the 
8,726 foreign l)orn, 3.742 were born in Germany, 
1.823 in Ireland, 1,440 in IJritish America, 1,287 
in England and 175 in Scotland. 

There were 637 over 10 years of age who 
could not read, and 860 who could not write, 
while there were 10,282 in attendance u\)on the 
l)ublic schools. There were now Jt, church or- 
ganizations, having 62 church buildings with a 
seating capacity of 26,525. and property valued 
at $536,400. Of these organizations, 1 5 were 
l'.a|>tist. 5 Congregational, 6 Episcopal, c; Lu- 
theran. 17 Methodist. 9 Presbyterian and 8 Ro- 
man Catholic. 

The estimated value of farm products in Wash- 
tenaw in 1870 was $4,912,618. The production 
of wheat had jumped to 1,049,130 bushels, of 
corn to 874.822 bu.shels. of oats to 418,138 
bushels and of barley to 120,543 bushels; while 
there had been 906.011 pounds of wool sheared 
and 1 .248.586 pounds of butter |)roduccd. There 
were 3.585 farnis in the county. 1 farm containing 
over 1 ,000 acres, 3 farms being between 500 and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



699 



1,000 acres, 1,117 farms being between 100 and 
500 acres. 1,367 farms between 50 and 100 acres, 
804 between 20 and 50, 173 between lo and 20, 
and 120 between 3 and 10. There were now 
344 manufacturing establishments in the county, 
employing i,g42 hands, of whom 207 were 
women. Their capital stock was $1,717,670, the 
wages they paid amoutited to $470,434, the raw 
inaterial cost $2,419,136, and their manufactured 
products amounted to $3,668,462. The flouring 
mills had decreased in number to ig. but the\- 
now employed 87 hands and produced products 
worth $1,469,642. There were 3 paper mills, 
employing 129 hands and producing ,$264,079 
worth of paper. The cooper shops numbered 30. 
employing 116 hands, while the carriage and 
wagon shops were 32 in number and also em- 
ployed 116 hands. There were 6 tanneries, em- 
ploying 30 men ; 5 printing establishments, em- 
ploying 50 men ; 3 cigar shops, employing 16 
men : 5 woolen mills, employing 70 men. and be- 
sides a number of other factories. 

By 1880 very little increase in population had 
been made in the county, the number now being 
41,848. Ann Arbor city had grown to 8,061 
and Ypsilanti city had decreased to 4,984. The 
population of the villages of the county were 
given as Chelsea, 1,160: Manchester, 1,156; 
Dexter, i .008. and Saline, 729. The colored popu- 
lation had grown slightly, being now 1. 216, and 
the county still contained its two Indians. The 
native population had increased to 33,903 and 
the foreign born population had decreased to 
7,945. Ann Arbor city contained a foreign born 
population of 1.792 and Ypsilanti city a foreign 
Ixirn population of 780. 

The 3.913 farms in the county contained 339,- 
150 acres of improved land. There were in 
1880, 1,604.857 bushels of wheat raised in the 
county, 1,187.756 bu.shels of corn, 754,484 bushels 
of oats, 70,005 tons of hay and 233,245 bushels 
of potatoes. There were i ,090,549 pounds of wool 
sheared from 185,194 sheep. 

The number of manufacturing establishn.ients 
reported in the county in 1880 had dropped to 
277, but they now employed 1,283 "lales above 
16 years of age, 146 females above 15 and 41 



children. They used a capital of $1,693,614. paid 
wages amounting to $456,641, paid $2,026,095 
for raw material and turned out a manufactured 
product worth $3,018,568. There were 5 imple- 
ment manufactories, employing 82 men ; I boot 
and shoe factory, employing 20 hands ; 8 bakeries, 
employing 20 hands ; 9 carriage and wagon shops, 
employing 97 hands : 7 tailoring shops, employ- 
ing 19 hands: 9 cooper shops, employing 44 
hands: 21 flouring mills, employing 82 hands: 
5 foundries. em])loying 31 hands: 7 furniture 
shops, employing 121 hands: i house furnishing 
goods factory, employing 25 hands : 18 sawmills, 
employing 49 hands : 4 paper mills, employing 
124 hands, and 5 woolen goods factories, employ- 
ing 60 hands. 

For the ne.xt 10 years the population of the 
count}' remained stationary. In fact, for the 20 
years, from 1870 to 1890, the county had in- 
creased in population only 776, and the popula- 
tion was now placed at 42.210. Ann Arbor city 
had grown nearly 1.400 in 10 years, and now 
liad a ]iopulation of 9.431. while Ypsilanti city 
showed an increase of 1,145 and had a popula- 
tion of 6.129. The population of the villages 
was: Chelsea, 1,356: Saline, 706: Manchester, 
1,191 : Dexter. 879, and Milan, 917. Milan showed 
the best gain in population for the 10 years, its 
ixjpulation in 1880 having been 320. The native 
born population was now 34.471 and the foreign 
born 7.739. while the colored population was 
1,221. There were 6 Chinamen in Washtenaw 
county, as against 2 in 1880, and there were 4 
civilized Indians. There were now 9,192 dwell- 
ings in the county and 9,656 families. 

In i8go there were 50 oxen left in the county, 
and the number of milch cows was 3,570 and 
other cattle 13,563. There were 3,895 farms 
valued at $21,000,000. and producing $2,802,920 
worth of farm products. The production of 
wheat had dropped to 1,046.374 bushels, while 
the production of corn was t. 093.628 bushels 
and of oats 941,826 bushels. There were 665.- 
617 bushels of apples from 309.907 trees. 3,062 
bushels of cherries from 8,993 fees, 13,608 
bushels of peaches from 62,871 trees, and 7.020 
of pears from 12.346 trees. 



700 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

IIISTURY OF ANN ARBOR CITY. 

Ann Arbor was originally platted in 1824, the 
plat being acknowledged on May 25, 1824, before 
Richard Smith, a justice whose residence is un- 
known as well as the fact from whom he received 
his commission. The jjlat and survey was the 
work of Philo H. Judd and the land included in 
the plat belonged to John Allen and Elisha W. 
Rumsey, whom, we have seen, were the first 
settlers of Ann Arbor. ' The original plat extended 
from. /Vllen creek on the west to Davidson street 
on the east, and from Jefferson street on the south 
to Lawrence street on the north. It was not 
long before the limits of the city as thus confined 
were too small for the growing population and 
the first addition to the village plat was made by 
Anson Brown and Edward L. Fuller on June 25; 
1832. This addition was north of the river in 
what is now the fifth ward. Mr. Brown was a 
merchant who came to Ann Arbor in 1827 and for 
some time ran a store on Main street near Wash- 
ington street. He was an extremely energetic 
man and determined that the future city of Ann 
Arbor should be north of the Huron river ; and 
if he had lived long enough he might have suc- 
ceeded in carrying out his desires. The village 
grew rapidly and the Ann Arbor Land Com- 
pany's plat was made in July, 1836, by Jonathan 
Stratton ; the Ormsby and Page addition in July, 
1838, by Caleb Ormsby and David Page ; the 
Eastern addition in 1-839; the Maynard addition 
in 1839; Bower's addition in 1844; Maynard's 
second addition in 1846; Traver's addition in 
1851; Ransom F. Smith's addition in 1867; His- 
cock's addition in 1859; Felch's addition in 1859; 
Brown's addition in i860 : James B. Gott's addi- 
tion in 1862; Hill's addition in 1866; besides 
many other small additions which we have not 
mentioned, the idea simply being to show the con- 
tinuous growth of the village and city. 

By 1834 the population of Ann Arbor was 830 
and it had a number of stores, taverns and other 
business houses. In 1838, Ann Arbor is de- 
scribed in the Michigan Gazeteer as "A village, 
postoffice and seat of justice for the countv of 



Washtenaw, in a township of the same name, sit- 
uated on the west bank of the Huron river. It 
has a courthouse, jail, a bank, two banking asso- 
ciations, four churches, one each of Presbyterian, 
Baptist, Episcopal and Universalist, two printing 
presses which issue two weekly newspapers, a 
bookstore, two druggists, a flouring mill with six 
run of stone, a sawmill, woolen factory, carding 
machine, iron foundry, an extensive plow manu- 
factory, two tanneries. Seventeen dry-goods stores, 
eleven lawyers and nine physicians. Here is a 
flourishing academy, number of pupils about 70. 
The legislature has established the location of the 
L^niversity of Michigan at this place. ■ It is passed 
through by the Detroit & St. Joseph road and by 
the state railroad between these two places. There 
is likewise a charter for a railrdad connecting it 
with Monroe. Ann Arbor bears the reputation 
generally of being one of the most pleasant and 
flourishing inland towns in the state. It is regu- 
larly laid out on an elevated and drv Soil. There 
is considerable hydraulic power in the vicinity. 
Population estimated at 2,000." Frbm the esti- 
mate of the poptilation contained in this Gazeteer 
it will be seen that Ann Arbor in 1838 contained 
as many people as Detroit had in 1S30. so that the 
village was one of the most important in the state, 
being excelled only by Detroit. 

As has been seen the conveiitions which secured 
the admission of Michigan into the LTnion were 
held in Ann Arbor, and for some years Ann Ar- 
bor was a popular place for the meetings of the 
state conventions of the various parties. 

In 1829 the population had been estimated at 
between 300 and 400 so that it will be seen that 
a growth from 300 to 830 in 1834 to 2,000 in 1838 
was a pretty rapid growth for a new town. The 
village was well described in 1829 by a Canadian 
traveler whose letter to his friends in Canada was 
published in the Western Emigrant. Among 
other things he said : "The population of the vil- 
lage at present is estimanted at between three 
hundred and four hundred, with weekly acces- 
sions. There will probably be between fifteen 
and twenty good buildings of brick and frame 
erected during the present season. There is some 
expectation of a press going into operation in a 
short time. Should this take place it will add 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



70I 



much to its present flattering- prospects. I would 
not have been this particular in my notice of this 
village had it not been for the unexampled rapidity 
that has attended its first settlement. In requires 
the exercise of all the faith of even the most cred- 
ulous to believe the reports current here with re- 
gard to the time of its settlement. Five years 
last February this flourishing, and I might almost 
say populous county was a dreary wilderness, and 
to use a phrase usually applied to the light-footed 
race of aborigines of America, "the haunt of 
savages," the home of wild beasts. Then nothing 
was heard but the shrill yell of the hardy sons of 
the forest and the blood-chilling bowlings of hun- 
gry wolves. Now your ears are slit by the neigh- 
ing of horses, the rattling of carriages, the cling- 
ing and grating noise of axes and hammers, the 
spiriting, stirring bugle announcing the approach 
of stages, the ''0\ez,"" and the "Once, twice, 
thrice" of the auctioneer. In short, it is a place of 
business. A stage arrives here three times a week 
from Detroit. Roads are open in almost every 
direction, the marshes and streams bridged, the 
ridges graduated, and every improvement bearing 
rather the appearance of magic than the produc- 
tion of man. When Allen and Rumsey located the 
land on which this village is situated, there were 
no inhabitants in the county except a few families 
who had the season before followed an Indian 
trail of the river ten miles below this to the place 
called Woodruff's Grove. This place takes its 
name from an enterprising individual by the name 
of Woodruff who has done much toward the set- 
tlement of the county, now residing in or near 
the thriving village of Ypsilanti, and who is now 
the high siieriff of the county. The first settlers 
suffered much on account nf the scarcity and the 
high price of provisions. They were not able to 
procure them nearer than Detroit, and were desti- 
tute of a road until they opened it." 

The location of the university at Ann .-\rbor 
was looked upon by the early settlers as bound to 
greatly increase the population of the town. On 
March 23, 1837, the State Journal announced that 
the bill to locate the institution had passed both 
houses of the legislature and that it would prob- 
ably receive the sanction of the governor, "as he 
is interested, we are told, to a considerable amount 
42 



in the Ann Arbor .scrip. A more judicious selec- 
tion could not be made." The charge of graft 
occasionally heard in these days, it will be noticed, 
was made in those days, the governor being of 
the opposite political party from the State Journal. 
The State Journal goes on to say : "Since the loca- 
tion of the university at this place, property has 
changed hands to a considerable extent and specu- 
lation bids fair to run high. Our enterprising 
citizens have already commenced purchasing sites 
for permanent and elegant residences, and are 
making calculations for erecting numerous dwell- 
ing houses that would prove ornaments to any 
place. Ann Arbor now appears to be one of the 
most flourishing country villages in Michigan, 
and with proper care and taste in the building of 
its public edifices and private dwellings, will cer- 
tainly be one of its most beautiful. We are 
pleased to see the liberality and public spirit that 
has been manifested in relation to ornamenting 
and enclosing our public grounds, and we hope 
that no attention will be wanting on tlie part of 
our citizens to fully improve the advantages that 
Nature has so liberally bestowed upon us." To 
mark the change in public opinion from time to 
time, or rather the change in men's ideas of what 
constitutes beauty, it will be noticed that it was a 
matter of congratulation on the part of the State 
Journal that the courtyard square was surrounded 
with a fence, and this was spoken of as beautifv- 
ing the city. Later this same fence became the 
subject of much controversy, and the advocates of 
improvement were particularly delighted when it 
came down. 

A picture of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county 
at about the time Ann Arbor was incorporated as 
a village is found in the "Travelers' Pocket Di- 
rectory and Strangers' Guide," published in 1832. 
It says : "Washtenaw county contains about 4,000 
inhabitants who are with few exceptions Ameri- 
cans. Its seat of justice is Ann Arbor, a village 
of five years' growth, situated on the river Huron, 
forty miles west of Detroit, containing about 
ninety dwelling houses. Ypsilanti, the second 
village in the county as to population, is likewise 
situated on the Huron, about ten miles below Ann 
Arbor at the place where the United States turn- 
pike from Detroit to Chicago crosses the same. 



702 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



This county shows twelve mercantile estabhsh- 
ments, three distilleries, one fannins^ mill factory, 
one pail factory, one gunsmith, one wagonmaker. 
five flouring mills, thirteen sawmills, and a ma- 
chine for carding and dressing wool. It abounds 
in select and common schools and has many me- 
chanics. Its surface is gently undulating and 
lieautiful. and its soil prolific, consisting of a deep 
l)hick sandy loam and some clay. It exhibits in 
succession beautiful prairies, oak openings, and 
heavy groves of timber, consisting of a white, 
red and black oak, beech, walnut, white bass, elm, 
maple and butternut, interspersed with almost all 
other kinds that usually grow in 42 degrees north 
latitude, evergreen excepted. The River Huron 
of Lake Erie meanders through the center of it. 
north and south, is navigable for boats and rafts 
to the lake, and with its several branches waters 
the middle ; the headwaters of the Shiawassee of 
the north, and the Rivers Raisin and .Saline, and 
their branches, the south part of said countv. It 
has numerous and extensive water privileges for 
facilitating manufacturing." 

The village of .\nn Arbor was incorporated 
on April 23. 1833, and within the village limits 
was included only the original village plat as laid 
down by Allen and Rumsey. The first election 
for village officers was held on Jul}- 7, 1834, at 
the inn of Chauncey S. Goodrich, and at this 
election 55 votes were cast. John Allen, the real 
founder of the village, was elected its first presi- 
dent, and David Page, Edward Mundy, C. S. 
Goodrich, Anson Brown, Elisha W. Morgan and 
Chandler Carter were the first trustees elected. 
James Kingsley was elected the following day by 
the council as treasurer, Dwiglit Kellogg as asses- 
sor, and David Carrier as marshal. In August. 
1834. the council voted to raise $300 for village 
ex])enses during the coming year, of which $200 
was to be raised on the .south side of the Huron 
river and $100 on the north. The first ordinance 
to be passed by the new council was one to pre- 
vent swine from running at large, and the earlv 
ordinances relating to dogs, shooting within the 
village limits, running horses, and exhibiting 
cattle and hogs. The business of the new village 
government was carried on with considerable 
care, l)ut in time the inhabitants seemed to lose 



interest in village afTairs, and in 1841 and 1842 
the village election went by default, none being 
held, and the officers elected in 1840 held over 
until 1843. Up to 1846 the elections had been 
held in July, but in that )'ear they were changed 
to .May and a new village charter was adopted. 
The last meeting of the village board of trustees 
was held December 5, 1850. During the life of 
the village of .\nn .Vrbor the following had been 
village officers : 

TRUSTEES. 

John Allen, president 1834 

David Page 1834 

Edward Alundy 1834 

Chauncey S. Goodrich 1834 

Anson Brown 1834 

E. W. [Morgan 1834 

Chandler Carter 1834 

George W. Jewett, president 1835 

William S. Maynard 1835 

Dwight Kellogg 1833 

Samuel Doty 1835 

William S. Alaynard, presider.t 1836 

\\'illiam R. Thompson 1836 

Chester Ingalls 1836 

Caleb X. Ormsby 1836 

W'illiam S. Maynard, president 1837 

\'olney Chapin 183" 

Edward Clark 1837-40 

Daniel \\'. Kellogg 1837 

Edward R. Everett, president 1838 

Horace Moore 1838 

James Jones 1838 

William S. Maynard, president 183c) 

Volney Chapin 1839 

Cyrus Backus 1839 

\'olney Chapin, president 1840 

Chauncey S. Goodrich 1840 

Jonathan H. Lund 1840 

Randall Schuyler 1840 

William R. Thompson, president 1843 

Chauncey S. Goodrich 1843 

George Sedgwick 1843 

Norton R. Ramsdell 1843 

Chester Ingalls 1843 

Horace Church 184^ 

J. H. Lund 1843 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



703 



Olney Hawkins, president 1844 

George W. Armstrong 1844 

George H. Cavell 1844 

George Sedgwick, president 1845 

Flavins J- B. Crane 1845 

Caleb N. Ormsbv 1845 

George Sedgwick, president 1847 

Hiram Becker 1847 

Cliarles Tripp 1847 

Charles Spoor 1847 

George Sedgwick, president 1848 

John C. Mundy 1848 

George Grenville 1848-9 

Caleb B. Thompson 1848-50 

William Finley, president 1849 

Emanuel Mann 1849 

William C. Voorhees 1850 

William L. Looniis 1850 

RECORDERS. 

Jonathan E. Field 1834 

Charles Thayer 1834 

E. W. Morgan 1835-7 

Norton R. Ramsdell 1838 

David T. AlcCollum 1839-40 

Daniel W. Kellogg 1843 

Elijah \\\ Morgan 1844 

Norton R. Ramsdell 1845 

David S. Hickox 1847-8 

David S. Hickox 1849 

\\'iniam Kinsley 1850 

TRE.\SURERS. 

James Kingsley 1834-7 

Samuel W. Warner 1838-9 

David T. McCollum 1840 

Volney Chapin 1845 

Emanuel Mann 1847 

Moses Rogers 1848-50 

ASSESSORS. 

Dwight Kellogg 1834 

William R. Thompson 1835 

David T. McCollum 1836 

C. N. Ormsby 1837 



Chester Ingalls 1838 

David T. McCollum 1839 

Chester Ingalls 1839 

Leander Stillson 1840 

Chauncey S. Goodrich 1843 

James Gibson 1843 

Jonathan K. Wallace 1844 

Flavins J. B. Crane 1844 

Hiram Becker 1845 

Elisha Donniee 1845 

COLLECTORS. 

Emanuel Mann 1847 

Stephen B. McCracken 1847 

John R. Wilcoxson 1848-9 

Closes Rogers 1850 

MARSHALS. 

David Carrier 1834 

John Horton 1835 

Solon Cook 1836 

Peter Slingerland 1837-8 

Stephen Slingerland 1839 

Peter Slingerland 1840 

Eli Snyder 1843 

Jeremiah Peek 1844 

^^'illiam A. Hatch 1845 

H. K. Stanley 1847 

Samuel G. Sutherland 1848-9 

Nelson B. Nye 1850 

STREET COMMISSIONERS. 

S. G. Sutherland 1847 

James Weeks 1847 

Moses Rogers 1847 

Ezra Piatt 1848 

Howell B. Norton 1848 

Clements Hathaway 1848 

Edward Clark 1849 

Charles Cairle 1849 

James Weeks 1849 

E. G. Wildt 1850 

Baihew 1850 

Thomas J. Hoskinson 1850 



704 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COITNTY. 



ATTORNEYS. 

Thomas C. Cutler 1847 

James M. Walker 1848 

OIney Hawkins 1849 

Tracy W. Root 1850 

The city of Ann Arbor was incorporated by an 
act of the legislature passed April 4, 1851. It 
did not at first include what is now the fifth ward, 
and indeed has grown in all directions. What is 
now the fifth ward was a thriving village and was 
known as Lower Ann Arbor. The city when 
first incorporated was divided into four wards. 
the division between the wards being made by 
Main and Huron streets The occasion of the 
incorporation of the new city was made a subject 
for much rejoicing at Ann Arbor. 

The city was enlarged and the charter amended 
in 1861, and the fifth ward taken into the city 
limits. In 1867 the charter was again amended 
and the first ward divided, creating the sixth 
ward. The number of wards remained the same 
until 1895, when the seventh ward was formed 
out of portions of the first and sixth wards. 

While a city in name, Ann Arbor was really 
running under a charter midway between the 
village charter and the city charter, which limited 
the activities largely to those of a village. This 
charter answered its purpose well and some wise 
provisions in it prevented the city from being like 
most of its sister cities, overloaded with bonded 
indebtedness. In 1889 a new charter was adopted 
for the city, the city being reincorporated. This 
charter wisely retained most of the financial pro- 
visions of the old charter which had kept the city 
from incurring a heavy floating indebtedness, and 
which made it impossible to incur a bonded in- 
debtedness without taking time to consider the 
projects and to also obtain the consent of the peo- 
ple at the ballot box. But under the new charter 
an attempt was made to separate the legislative 
and executive functions which had been practi- 
cally united in the city council under the old 
charter. The mayor, under the charter of 1851 
as it remained until 1889, was practically only an 
alderman at large. He presided over the council, 
voted on all questions, was supposed to execute 



the law, but had no veto power and was directed 
by the members of the council to execute this pro- 
vision of the law and not to execute that. In 
1889 the mayor was taken from the council and 
made an executive officer. He was given the 
veto power and it was required of him by a wise 
charter provision that all communications from 
him to the council should be made in writing. To 
take the place of the mayor on the council a new 
official was created, novel at that time but since 
adopted by such cities as New York. A presi- 
dent of the council was elected by the people as 
an alderman at large, and it was believed, and 
experience has shown the belief to have been cor- 
rect, that the president of the council would be 
usually chosen of the same material as the mayor 
of the city. In 1889, the city, for the first time, 
was assessed as a whole and City Assessor 
O'Hearn elected. Before this time there had been 
no uniformity of taxation in the various wards of 
the city, or equality of assessment. Each ward 
was, for most purposes, a separate entity, and in 
some wards the taxes were nearh" double what 
the\- were in others. For the first time the city 
was molded into a compact whole, the ward divi- 
sions being retained simply for purposes of elec- 
tion precincts, and to make sure that the various 
parts of the city would have representation upon 
the council. The carrying on of public improve- 
ments was made possible by the creation of a 
board of public works to do the executive work 
which the council had hitherto done. The line of 
division between the executive and legislative 
powers was sought to be strictly drawn. The 
council was to decide what should be done ; the 
mayor, and the various boards which he ap- 
pointed, should do that which the council decided. 
There have been attempts at various times to go 
back to some of the provisions of the old charter, 
but none of them have ever possessed much ap- 
parent chance of succeeding and the city to-day 
is running under the charter of 1889, with minor 
amendments. 

The city officers of Ann Arbor from 1851 down 
to the present time have been as follows : 

M.\Y0RS. 

George Sedgwick .1851-52 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



705 



Edwin B. Tremain . . . . 

James Kingsley 

William S. Mayiiard . . 

Philip Bach 

Robert J. Barry 

John F. Aliller 

Charles Spoor 

Ebenezer Wells 

William S. Maynard . 

Oliver M. Martin 

Christian Eberbach ... 
Alfred H. Partridge . . 
William D. Harriman , 
Silas H. Douglass . . . . 

Hiram J. Beakes 

Edward D. Kiniie . . . . 
Densmorc Cramer . . . , 

Willard B. Smith 

John Kap]i 

William D. Harriman . 

John Kapp 

John J. Robison 

Willard B. Smith 

Samuel W. Beakes . . . . 
Charles H. Manly . . . . 

William G. Doty 

Cyrenus G. Darling . . , 
Bradley M. Thompson 
Warren E. ^Valker . . . . 
Charles E. Hiscock . . . 

Gottlob Luick 

Royal S. Copeland . . . . 

Arthur Brown 

Francis M. Hamilton . . 



853-4 

855 

856-57 

858 

859-60 

861 

862 

863-64 

865 

866-67 

868 

869 

870 

871-72 

873-74 

875-76 

"77 

877-79 

880-82 

883-4 

885 

886 

887 

888-9 

890 

891-2 

893 

894 

895-6 

897-8 

899-00 

901-03 

903-05 

905- 



PRESTDENT OF THE COUNCIL. 

Frederick H. Belser 1889 

Frederick A. Howlett 1890 

Mortimer E. Cooley 1891-2 

\\"illiam W. Watts 1893 

Levi D. Wines 1894 

Charles E. Hiscock 1895-6 

Gottlob Euick 1897-9 

Walter T. Seabolt 1899-OT 

John Haarer 1901-03 

John Walz 1903-05 

Eugene S. Gilmore 1905- 



RECORDER. 

Henry W. Welles 1851-52 

Charles N. Fox 1853 

William Lewitt 1854 

Nelson B. Nye 1855-57 

Robert J. Barry 1858 

Norvel E. Welch 1859 • 

Daniel D. Twitchell i860 

Stephen M. Webster : 1861 

Edward P. Pitkin 1862 

Xelson B. Cole 1863 

Charles A. Chapin 1864 

Densmore Cramer 1865 

Claudius B. Grant 1866 

Zina P. King 1867-68 

Edward D. Kinne i86g 

Charles H. Alanly 1870 

Stephen M. Webster 1871 

Eeonhard Gruner 1872 

Adam D. Sevier 1873 

William A. Love joy 1874-75 

Charles J. Kintner 1876 

Adam D. Seyler 1877 

William A. Clark 1878-79 

\Mlliam W. Douglas 1880-1 

Myron H. French 1882 

Charles J. Durheim 1883 

George H. Pond 1885-7 

James R. Bach 1888-9 

CITY CLERK. 

James R. Bach 1889-91 

William J. Miller 1891-3 

Glen \'. Mills 1893-9 

James L. Harkins 1899-03 

Ross Granger 1903- 

CITY TRE.\SURER. 

Peter Slingerland 1851-52 

Alonzo Healy 1853-55 

David Henning 1856 

Peter Slingerland 1857 

Charks Spoor 1858 

Lewis C. Risdon 1S59 

Orange Webster i860 



7o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Horace A. Moore 1861 

Dorr Kellogg 1862 

Asher A. Terry 1863 

Elias J. Johnson 1864 

Oscar G. Spafford 1865 

Charles H. Manly 1866 

John Harris 1867 

George H. Ford 1868 

Morris S. Gregg 1868-69 

John C. Mott 1868 

Frederick Sorg 1869 

EH S. Manly 1869 

John Schumacher 1870-71 

Erastus N. Gilbert 1870 

Eli S. Manly 1870 

Luke Coyle 1871 

Charles S. McOmber 1871 

Stephen W. Webster 1872 

Joseph C. Watts 1873 

Dorr Kellogg 1874 

Moses Rogers 1 875 

Asher A. Terry 1876-7 

John Schumacher 1878 

Peter D. Woodruff 1879 

O. F. Webster 1880 

Jacob F. Schuh 1881-83 

Benjamin F. Watts 1884-85 

Albert Sorg 1886-87 

John Moore 1888 

William W. Watts 1889-90 

Samuel W. Beakes 1891-92 

George H. Pond 1893-94 

Charles H. Manly 1895-96 

Edward L. Seyler 1897-98 

Oscar Luick 1899-00 

George \'anderwarker 1901 

H. Wirt Newkirk 1901-02 

Samuel W. Beakes 1903-04 

George W. Sample 1895- 



Smith Motley 1890-91 

George F. Key 1892-99 

Edwin W. Groves 1900 

CITY MARSHALS. 

Joseph Godfrey 1851-52 

Roger Mathews 1853-57 

Oliver M. Martin 1858 

Stephen Webster 1859 

Jerome B. Garrison i860 

Oliver M. Martin 1861-63 

Richard C. Dillon 1864 

Oliver M. Martin 1865 

Dudley J. Loomis 1866 

Nathan H. Pierce 1867 

George W. Efner 1868 

Nathan Pierce 1869 

Ambrose \'. Robison 1870 

I. H. Peebles 1871 

Erastus Leseur 1872 

James J. Parshall 1873 

John W. Loveland 1874 

Edward Sterling 1875 

A. H. Herron 1876 

John J. Johnson 1877-80 

Thomas Clarken 1881 

John S. Nowland 1882-83 

Charles S. Fall 1884-85 

Fred Sipley 1886-9 

William Walsh 1889-90 

James R. Murray 1891-2 

Paris S. Banfield 1893-4 

M. C. Peterson 1895-6 

Zenus Sweet 1897-8 

William Gerstner 1899-00 

Frank H. Warren 1901-2 

Orton AI. Kelsey 1903-4 

Charles B. Masten 1905- 



CITY ASSESSORS. 



CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



Patrick O'Hearn 1889-98 Fred Sipley 1889-06 

Edward L. Seyler 1898-06 

CITY ATTORNEYS. 
CITY ENGINEERS. 

Edward D. Kinnc 1S86 

Joseph B. Davis 1885-89 Chaunccy J0SI311 1887 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



707 



Zina P. Kintj if 

Thdinas D. Kearney 1889-go 

Ezra ?>. Norris 1891-93 

Thomas A. P>osjle 1894 

Jolin W. Bennett 1894 

Charles H. KHne 1895 

Thomas D. Kearney 189(1-97 

O. E. P.utterfield 1898 

Ezra P). Xorris 1899-00 

Andrew J. Sawyer 1901-02 

'I'homas D. Kearne}- 1903-04 

Frank A. Stivers 1905- 

STREET COMMISSIONERS. 

Nelson Sutherland 1889-94 

Charles A. Ward 1895 

Leonard Bassett 1895 

Daniel J. Ross 1896-04 

John \\'isner 1905- 

SlIPERVISORS. 

L'ntil 1838 Ann Arbor city had one supervisor. 
From 1859 to 1867 it had two: from 1868 to 
1888. three; from 1889 to 1894, six; and since 
1895 seven, as follows: 

John C. Mundy 185 1 

John A. Wells 1852 

John C. Mundy 1853 

Fdwin Lawrence 1854 

John C. .Alundy 1855 

Edwin Lawrence 1856 

James AIcMahon 1837 

Charles Tripp 1838 

Conrad Krapf 1859-66 

James H. .Morris 1859 

Richard Beahan 1860-61 

James H. Morris 1862-63 

Richard lieahan 1864 

James McMahon 1863 

Samuel Grisson 1866-67 

Philip \\'inetjar 1867 

Sunnier Hicks 1867 

I-'irst District — 

Samuel Grisson 1868 

Robert P. Leonard 1869-71 



Conrad Krapf 1872-83 

Charles H. Richmond 1881 

Henry D. Bennett 1884-83 

Albert Gardner 1886-88 

Sccnmi District — 

Richard Beahan 1868 

James McMahon 1869 

Patrick (;)'Hearn , 1870-71 

Alonzo .\. Gre.e^ory 1872 

Anton Eisele 1873 

I'atrick O'Hearn 1874 

Anton Eisele 1873 

Alonzo A. Gregory 1876-81 

I 'atrick O'Hearn 1882-88 

'I'liird District — 

Sumner Hicks 1868 

Marion \'. K. Jones 1869 

Horace Carpenter 1870 

David T. AlcCollum 1871 

J. Austin Scott 1872 

George H. Rhodes 1873 

Benjamin Brown 1874-75 

Randall Schuyler 1876-79 

( '.eorge FI. Rhodes 1880-81 

Benjamin P.rowii 1882-83 

C. A. Matthewson 1884 

Noah G. Butts 1885-88 

First ]Vard — 

John R. Miner 1889-94 

William K. Childs 1895 

John R. Miner 1896 

J. Rice }iliner 1897 

Henry S. Dean 1898 

\\'illiam K. Childs 1899 

John R. Miner 1900-05 

Second Ward — 

Eugene Oesterlin 1889-95 

John M. Feiner 1896 

Sid W. Millard 1897-98 

Emanuel Schneider 1899 

Eugene Oesterlin 1900-05 

Third Ward— 

Chase Dow 1889 



7o8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



James Kearns 1890-2 

Robert Shannon 1893 

John J. Fischer 1894-99 

John Naylor 1900 

Wesley E. Howe 1901 

John C. Fischer 1902-03 

Waher H. Dancer 1904 

Michael C. Ryan 1905 

Fourth IVard — 

Ambrose Kearney 1889-90 

John Baumg-ardner ' 1891-92 

George H. Pond 1893-94 

Joseph Donnelly 1893 

Herman Krapf 1896-02 

Joseph Donnelly ic)03-04 

Herman Krapf 1905- 

Fifth Ward- 
Amos Corey 1889-90 

Thomas Speechley 1891-94 

James Boyle 1895-98 

John Sliadford 1899-00 

John Boylan 1901-02 

George W. Weeks 1903-05 

Sixth Jl'ard— 

John W. Bennett 1S89-92 

Evart H. Scott 1893-94 

Arthur J. Kitson 1895-98 

William Biggs 1899 

William D. Harriman 1900 

Horace G. Prettyman 1901 

^^'illiam D. Harriman T902 

Arthur J. Kitson 1903-05 

Seventh IVard — 

Evart H. Scott 1895 

E. E. Eberbach 1896 

G. Frank Allmendinger 1897-00 

C. Homer Cady 1901 

Bert F. Schumacher 1902-05 

A REMINISCENCK. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis S. .\nderson celebrated 
the sixtv-first anniversary of their marriage in 
.\nn Arbor in November, i8r;3, on which occa- 



sion a friend wrote down their reminiscences of 
Ann .\rbor as follows : 

"]\Ir. and Mrs. .\nderson, born in New York 
in 1821 and. 1822, respectively, came to Michi- 
gan when about ten years of age, and their fathers 
each owned a farm not far from the old stone 
schoolhouse on the Ypsilanti electric line. They 
were married in 1842. They have witnessed the 
entire growth of Ann Arbor. They knew per- 
sonnally its founders, Henry Rumsey and John 
Allen, and the two Anns, their wives, who gave 
its name to the city. Rumsey was a commonplace 
man. both in ability and appearance, but Allen 
was a tall, stately Virginian, had a fine presence 
and considerable ability. He was a lawyer and a 
favorite of the ladies, and if all the stories told 
of him are true he would have been a great suc- 
cess as a Mormon elder. Allen gave the school- 
house square to the city. When Mr. and Mrs. 
Anderson first knew Ann Arbor most of its 
present territory was farm land and open com- 
mons. The campus was a wheat field, Michigan 
was a territory, and the University unthought of. 
Deer and wild turkeys were abundant in the 
woods about the town, and wild Indians were 
often seen upon the streets of the village. The 
Indians of Michigan sided with Great Britain in 
the war of 1812, and for many years after the war 
they used to go annually to Maiden, across the De- 
troit river, to receive supplies given them by the 
British government for assistance rendered dur- 
ing the war. While on their way to and from 
Maiden they often encamped in large numbers 
on the premises now owned by Mr. jMorton, on 
the left hand side of the Ypsilanti road between 
Ann Arbor and the old stone schoolhouse in Pitts- 
field. 

"A brick schoolhouse stood on the corner of 
Fourth avenue ami Packard street with a steep 
outside stairs leading to the second story, a build- 
ing in which the Methodists held services before 
building a church. .\n academy stood on Fourth 
street in front of the residence of the late Chris- 
tian Mack. The building was finally removed to 
Detroit street and still stands there, being now 
used as a carriage storage house. A school- 
house was subsequently built on the corner of 
Huron and Division streets where the Presbvte- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



709 



rian church now stands. The church stood in the 
center of the block below where Heusel's bakery- 
is. The building was later moved to the south 
side of the block, facing Washington street, where 
it is now used for a saloon and storehouse. A log 
hotel stood on the Ann Arbor Savings Bank Block, 
and the fine residence of Dr. Samuel Denton, 
painted white, with green blinds, the first painted 
house in the city, was located, with a fine yard 
and fence, where the Opera House now stands. 
Mr. Anderson often drank cider in the famous 
log cabin, during the 'Tippecanoe and Tyler. Too' 
campaign of 1840, which stood on the site of the 
Y. M. C. A. Building. Supporters of Harrison 
were called 'coons" by the democrats, and a coon 
skin was nailed on the outside of the log cabin, 
and a barrel of hard cider kept on the inside 
which was free to all. During that famous cam- 
paign Mr. Anderson, with a crowd of 'coons' 
went to Detroit to hear Henn,- Clay speak. The 
'coons' were so numerous in Detroit on the day of 
the meeting that they could not get accommoda- 
tions at the hotels, and Mr. Anderson and inany 
others took possession of the Free Press office 
and slept on its floor. 

"Mrs. Anderson is a native of Batavia, New 
York, and remembers the circumstances of the 
abduction nf Morgan from that town, who had 
made an exposure of Masonry. A stage driver 
of Batavia, liy the name of W. R. Thompson, was 
suspected of having had a hand in the abduction : 
but he left that place and afterward came to Ann 
Arbor and built a house where Judge Kinne now 
resides. Thompson and John Allen went to Cali- 
fornia when gold was discovered there in 1849, 
and both died there. 

"The Misses Clark's Ladies' School was (juite 
famous in its day. It was the first female school 
in this part of the country west of Detroit. It 
was located near the Hawkins' House, now stand- 
ing on the corner of Liberty and Fourth streets, 
then moved to the lot where Michael J. Martin 
now resides, and afterward to the large brick 
building, which is now used as a tene- 
ment house. ' )ne of the studies taught in this 
school, upon which the Misses Clark took special 
pride themselves, was 'Heraldry,' a subject which 
must have been very interesting and profitable for 



the voung ladies of .\nn Arbor of seventy years 
ago. .\ private school was located on Mr. Eber- 
bach's place on the electric line, where the pupils 
paid their tuition, room rent and board by work- 
ing on a fann belonging to the school. This ex- 
periment was the first of its kind started in the 
count)-, hut turned out a failure after being car- 
ried on a few years. Air. .\nderson was county 
school inspector for sixteen years and was him- 
self a teacher and taught seventeen successive 
winters. Seven of these were in the old stone 
schoolhouse in Pittsfield. He taught several 
terms for $13 per month and boarded himself. 
The best female teachers of the time did not re- 
ceive to exceed $1.25 per week. Girls for domes- 
tic service received from seventy-five cents to 
a dollar a week, but they were treated as mem- 
bers of the family. In the schools taught by 
yiv. Anderson the scholars occupied rude plank 
benches without desks. There was usually a 
shelf against the wall around three sides of the 
room, and when the pupils practiced writing they 
turned around with their faces to the wall and 
used this shelf. There were no steel pens in those 
davs, and the pens were made from goose quills 
by the teacher. In the early days the country 
school in the winter was a place for much fun 
and happiness on the part of the young people, 
as well as a place of learning. The scholars, both 
girls and boys, were often full grown and some- 
times older than the teacher. The spelling bees' 
between diiiferent districts, and singing schools 
in the evenings, were occasions of much social 
enjoyment and love making. 

The first Methodist church was built on the 
corner of Ann and Fourth streets, now the Unity 
Block. For two \ears services were held in the 
basement before the church was completed and 
dedicated sixty-six years ago. But three families 
remain on the south Ypsilanti road who occupy 
the premises owned by their ancestors, the .\n- 
dersons, the Ticknors and Henry C. Piatt." 

W.\STITF.NAW MVITAI- V\KE IXSUR.VNCE COMP.VXY. 

The Washtenaw }(lutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany was the first cumpany of its kind organized 
in Michigan. Mnnnis Kenny, of Webster town- 



7IO 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



ship, was tlic father of the company. In 1858 
he organized the company and for two years was 
its president, secretary, treasurer and board of di- 
rectors, all in one. He carried the records of the 
company in his hat. The people at this time were 
so honest that he allowed each member to insure 
his property at what he thought it was worth 
and the amount on which he was willing to be 
assessed. 

In i860 the company was reorganized and pro- 
cured a charter for thirty years under the new 
state insurance laws then jinssed. providing for 
the organization of mutual insurance companies 
within the state. The company did a large busi- 
ness in the whole county for the ensuing thirt\' 
years and January i, 1890, renewed its charter 
for thirty years more. Some of the men who held 
office as directors of this company and who are 
now dead are: Munnis Kenny, Stearns Kim- 
berly, J. D. Williams. W.. R. Waldron, of Web- 
ster : Allen Crittenden, of Pittsfield ; Horace Car- 
penter, of Pittsfield ; John J. Robison and Stephen 
Fairchilds, of Sharon ; Newton Sheldon, of Lodi ; 
M. S. White and B. W. Waite, of Scio ; Joshua 
G. Leland, of Northfield : H. M. Lowry and T. B. 
Goodspeed, of Superior ; C. H. Wines and John 
Cook, of Sylvan ; E. M. Cole, of Superior ; Samp- 
son Parker, of Lima; Fred B. Braun, of .-Knu 
Arbor; and E. A. Nordman and John H. Wade. 
of Lima. The ex-directors now living are: J. W. 
Wing, George A. Peters and A. T. Hughes, of 
Scio ; W. E. Stocking, of Lima ; Andrew Camp- 
bell and H. D. Piatt, of Pittsfield ; William Camp- 
bell, of Ypsilanti ; R. L. Reeve, of Dexter ; Robert 
McCall and Edwin Ball, of Webster; Emory E. 
Leland, of Northfield, and Peter Cook, of York. 
The present officers and directors arc: A. R. 
Graves, of Ypsilanti, president ; directors, John F. 
Spafard. of Manchester; O. C. Burkhardt, of 
Lima; J. B. Laraway, of Webster; G. L. Hoyt, 
of Lodi; and William K. Childs, of Ann Arbor, 
who is also secretary-treasurer. 

There are now three thousand one lunnlrcd 
and eighty members belonging to the company, 
insuring property to the amount of $5,129,640 on 
a two-thirds valuation which is the limit of in- 
surance that this company will place upon prop- 
erty. In the seventeen years up to September i. 



1903, 807 losses by fire and lightning, amount- 
ing to $155,993-39. had been paid. The smallest 
loss to be paid was seventy-five cents and the 
largest $3,605.74. 

M.\SONIC. 

The first Masonic lodge in Ann Arbor was or- 
ganized in 1826. and the organization was at- 
tended by General Cass, Judge Dexter and others. 
Shortly afterward the disappearance of Morgan 
from Batavia, New York, aroused a strong anti- 
Ma.sonic feeling, especially strong in Washtenaw 
county, owing probably to the influence of Judge 
Dexter. The first paper started in .\nn Arbor, 
the "Emigrant," was a strong anti-Masonic organ 
and the friends of Masonry soon deemed it best 
to surrender their charter to await the dying down 
of the public enmity against the order. 

In the winter of 1845 Oriental lodge No. 15. 
was organized. This afterward also surrendered 
its charter, and its place was taken by .\nn Arbor 
lodge. No. 85, which ran until 1871. Golden 
["{ule lodge was chartered in 1864, its first master 
iieing Charles H. Richmond. Fraternity lodge 
No. 62, F. &• -\. M., was organized in ^Nlarcli, 
1869, its first master being Zina P. King. 

Washtenaw chapter No. 6, R. A. .\l.. was or- 
,ganized October 13. 1841;. with Ezra Piatt as high 
jiriest. Ann .\rbor commandery No. 13, Knights 
Templar, was organized .\pril 3, 1865, with the 
following charter members: C. H. Richmond, 
(ieorge Taylor, J. M. \\'ebster. James R. \\'eb- 
ster, D. S. Twitchell, A. .McElcheran, Louis C. 
Risdon, R. J. Barry and C. M. Hoge, C. H. 
Richmond was chosen the first eminent com- 
mander. .\t |)resent there are t\vii blue lodges, 
one chajiter and one commandery in the city, 
.^ince 188 — they have all occupied (piarters in the 
third stor\" nf what has l)een known both as the 
Masonic block and tile .\nn .\rbor Savings Bank 
block, on the cnrner of .\hiin and Huron streets. 

(i|lll-:i< SiaUKT SOfll-ITTE.S. 

\\'ashtenaw lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., was or- 
ganized ^lay !•;, 1845. "'itli James E. Piatt, 
James W. \\<:\c\\. X. H. Eggleston, M. D. How- 
ard and \\'illiam }. Wells, charter members. Ot- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



711 



seningo lodge No. 295, I. O. O. F.. was organ- 
ized in 1876. 

Athens lodge No. 49. A. O. U. W., was organ- 
ized in 1878. with C. iM. Jones as worthy master. 
Ann Arhor lodge No. 2"/, A. O. U. W., was or- 
ganized about the same time and its business has 
been conducted in the German language. 

Ann .Arbor lodge No. 325, 1!. I'. O. E., was 
organized December 4, 1893, ^^'^'i Charles E. 
Hiscock as the first exalted ruler. 

.\rbor tent No. 296, Knights of the Maccabees 
of Michigan, was organized in 1881, and has at- 
tained a membership of over five hundred. John- 
son tent No. 785, K. O. T. M., was organized in 
1893, with E. F. Johnson as commander, .\rbor 
hive No. 113. K. O. T. M., was organized in 
1891, with Miss Emma E. P.ower as lady com- 
mander. The office of great record keeper of the 
great hive of this order has been in .\nn .\rbor 
since 1893, and Miss Emma E. P.ower has been 
the great record keeper. ,\ large number of 
clerks are employed and the "Lady Maccabee,' the 
organ of the order, has been published during 
this period in this city. 

The Modern Woodmen of .America were or- 
ganized in 1902. and have attained widespread 
prosperity. 

Welch post No. 137, Grand .\rmy of the Re- 
public, was organized in 1880, and has held regu- 
lar meetings since that date. The Woman's Re- 
lief Corps was organized in 1890 and Mrs. H. S. 
Dean has served as president for thirteen years. 

.\nn Arbor lodge of the Arbeiter Verein was 
organized in the '80s. 

.\nn .\rbor Typographical I'nion No. 154 was 
reorganized in 1884. 

POSTOFFICE. 

,\nn .Arbor has been a postoffice since 1825, 
when John .Allen was appointed the first post- 
master. Bethuel Farren, afterward judge of pro- 
bate, was the first mail carrier, following the In- 
dian trail between Ann Arbor and Detroit. He 
received one hundred dollars a year for carrying 
the mail and the trip required three days. There 
were no bridges in those days, and the streams 
were often swollen so that Farren continuallv 



risked his life in crossing them. Anson Brown 
was appointed postmaster in 1832 and removed 
the postoffice to the lower village. This move 
was extremely unpopular in the upper village and 
Mr. Brown used to bring the mail up town in a 
tin pail made for that purpose by Chauncey S. 
Goodrich. The pail which thus did duty is now 
in the possession of the Washtenaw County Pio- 
neer Societ\-. From this pail Mr. Brown distrib- 
uted mail to the people on the streets. Septem- 
ber 30, 1834. Charles Thayer was appointed post- 
master and removed the office to the upper vil- 
lage. Shortly before this Mr. Brown had died of 
cholera. The postmasters of .Ann .Arbor since 
Captain Thayer have been Mark Howard, George 
Danforth, F. J. B. Crane, Caleb Clark, Henry D. 
Bennett, John I. Thompson, Richard lleahan, C. 
B. Grant," H. S. Dean. C. G. Clark, J. C. Knowl- 
ton, Edward Duffy, Eugene E. Beal, S. W. 
Beakes and George H. Pond. 

In the early '80s a big fight was had over the 
location of the Ann .Arbor postoffice, which up to 
this time had been located on West Huron street 
in what is now the Ann .Arbor Savings Bank 
Ijlock. The two locations which became the prin- 
cipal ones in the fight were a building built by 
.A. W. Hamilton, now called the Henning block, 
on the north side of East Huron street, and the 
building in which the postoffice is at present lo- 
cated, on the corner of Main and .Ann streets. 
The Henning block was built with tlie expecta- 
tion that the postoffice had been secured for that 
building, but Rice .A. Beal, who had consider- 
able property on North Main street, took up the 
fight to aid that end of the town, and with the aid 
of some contribution made by other prop- 
ert)- owners in that locality, built the pres- 
ent postoffice building expressly for the 
postoffice and secured its acceptance by the 
government. The fight was a particularly bitter 
one, but the office once located has remained for 
over twenty years, and the new government site 
purchased in August, 1903, is located on the same 
block, so that Mr. Beal's fight has undoubtedly 
secured the location of the postoffice for this point 
for a great many years yet to come. The impor- 
tance, however, of the location of the postoffice 
to any particular section of the city was greatly 



712 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



lessened by the establishment of free delivery 
service on June i, 1887. ^t first only a part of .the 
city was covered and it was not until 1894 that 
the mail for the entire city was delivered. Since 
that time the free delivery service has been 
greatly improved and the number of deliveries 
increased. Up to 1900 the windows of the post- 
office were open at night for the delivery of mail 
at the office on all carrier routes. Postoffice rushes 
at night had been the custom in Ann Arbor each 
and every night for many years, and the fame of 
them had extended so far that Washington archi- 
tects had planned what was called a "rush proof" 
building for erection at Ann Arbor. These 
rushes finally ceased in 1896, but the impression 
they had left on the minds of the government offi- 
cials undoubtedly aided in the order three or four 
years later to close the evening delivery of mail 
at the Ann Arbor postoffice. This order resulted 
in giving impetus to trade on State street, as 
since that time large numbers of students who 
were accustomed to call at the office for their 
mail, became unacquainted with Main street and 
went to State street as the most familiar place to 
trade. 

The Ann Arbor postoffice has been rapidly 
growing in importance and became a first-class 
postoffice in igoo. Its receipts for the year 1905 
were $55,181.02. It now takes seventeen clerks 
to deliver mail about the city. There are besides 
six rural mail clerks carrying mail to the farmers 
in the vicinity of Ann Arbor. 

HOTELS. 

Of the Ann Arbor hotels, the oldest to-day is 
the Cook House. This was established in 1830 by 
Solon Cook, who for thirty-seven years continued 
to act as its landlord. This house was originally 
built of wood with a large veranda in front. The 
wooden building was finally moved and a brick 
hotel erected in its place, which has since been 
greatly enlarged. For many years after iS^f 
Chauncey S. Goodrich ran a hotel on Soiuli 
Fourth avenue west of the courthouse. This hw 
tel has been torn down. The Washtenaw House, 
erected in 1832 b\- William R. Thompson, is still 
standing but has not been used as a hotel for 



many years. For years it was unoccupied, but it 
has since been fitted up for occupancy as a tene- 
ment, its size denoting the importance of the 
fifth ward at an early date. The Gregory House 
was once a brilliant rival of the St. James. This 
building, now known as the Ann Arbor Savings 
Bank Block, was built in 1864, being opened as a 
hotel by Edgar M. Gregory. The American 
House, on West Washington street, corner of 
Ashley street, was built in 187 — . The St. James, 
on West Huron street, was formerly known as 
the Leonard House and has had a long and 
checkered career. 

MURDERS. 

On May i, 1843, Patrick Dunn was shot while 
going to his morning's work and died twenty- 
nine hours later. He had a quarrel with Charles 
Choor and had been arrested for assault and bat- 
tery upon Choor some months previous. Choor 
was standing in his own door with a rifle when 
Dunn was shot and was arrested and tried for 
murder and on November 25, 1843, found guilty 
and sentenced by Judge Witherell to be hung, but 
a few days before the execution was to take place 
he escaped from jail and teas never again heard of. 

On .\ugust II, 1837, Simon L. Holden, who 
was returning home from a late train, was shot 
through the abdomen and robbed of $500. He 
was held up by two men who succeeded in get- 
ting his money, when he made an outcry. One 
of the men ordered the other one to shoot him 
and the order was promptly obeyed. Mr. Hol- 
den died two days later. Robert Fuller, Esther 
Fuller and Frank M. Walker were indicted for 
the murder. The case against Esther Fuller was 
nolle prossed, but the two men were found guilty 
and sentenced to the penitentiary for life. A 
new trial was ordered by the supreme court about 
a year after that and the men were returned from 
the prison to the .\.nn Arbor jail, but before they 
could again be tried they escaped and were never 
recaptured. 

On November 6, 1861, John Innes was found 
dead on the sidewalk in front of ^laynard, Steb- 
bins & Wilson's store with a gash over his fore- 
head which cut to the skull. Innes had been 
working on a farm and had been on a prolonged 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



713 



spree. Two theories were evolved, one that he 
had been murdered with a dull hatchet and the 
other that he had fallen, striking his head upon 
some hard substance and dying from loss of blood 
and exposure. No arrests were ever made nor 
was the case ever absolutely cleared up. 

On December 25, 1866, Mr. Sherman was 
struck by a stool in his store in the Fifth ward by 
John Shorey, who had just been released from 
arrest upon the complaint of Sherman. Mr. Sher- 
man died a few days later and Shorey was con- 
victed of murder in the second degree and sen- 
tenced to state prison for twenty years. 

A man named O'Brien was stabbed near the 
Michigan Central depot in i86g by George 
Knisely, with a pocket knife, the blade entering 
his heart. O'Brien walked to the courthouse 
square before he fell dead. Knisely was convicted 
and sentenced to eight years in the state prison. 
The murder was the result of a quarrel between 
the two men. 

On the night of October 22, 1871, Mrs. Hen- 
rietta Wagner and her little son Oscar were 
murdered in the old building on Washington 
street, adjoining Rinsey & Kyer's store. The 
murderer was Henry Wagner, the husband and 
father, a painter, who was about twenty-five years 
of age at the time. Mrs. Wagner's head was 
pounded into a jelly with a hatchet, apparently 
while she was sleeping; and the little boy had 
been struck on the head with the hatchet, dying 
three hours later. After the murder Wagner 
went to the jail and asked to stay all night and 
was permitted to do so. He was tried for mur- 
der but put in a plea of insanity. He was con- 
victed, however, and sentenced to the Jackson 
state prison for life. He finally became violently 
insane and in 1887 was sent to the criminal asy- 
lum for the insane. 

On October 30, 1874, Richard Flannery was 
so badly injured in a row in his saloon on the cor- 
ner of Main and Catherine streets that he died 
two nights later. The coroner's jury found that 
he came to his death by a blow from a chair in 
the hands of Jethro Maybe, and that Hiram Pick- 
ard was present and assisted in the assault. The 
jury in the first trial failed to agree. On the 
second trial in September, 1875, Maybe was found 



guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to state 
prison for one year. 

On November 12, 1890, a student in the Uni- 
versity was struck on the head with a musket in 
the hands of some member of the local militia, or 
some person accompanying them, on Liberty 
street near Division. There had been some trou- 
ble the night before growing out of a postoffice 
rush, and threats had been made that the local 
militia would be called out to disperse the students 
engaged in rushing. On this night a number of 
the militia took their arms from the armory, but 
without authority, for the purpose of a charivari 
on one of their members on Division street wha 
was to be married that night. The discharge 
of firearms at once drew out a large crowd of stu- 
dents who supposed tliat the militia had been or- 
dered out. After some words back and forlh 
trouble arose between the students and the mem- 
bers of the militia, and the militia were pelted 
with frozen mud. Soon a free for all fight en- 
sued in which muskets were used as clubs, on one 
side and stones on the other. One of the militia- 
men was struck on the forehead with a stone, 
breaking the skull, from which, however, he soon 
recovered. During the melee Irving James Den- 
nison was struck on the head with a musket and 
killed. He was a freshman in the literary depart- 
ment from Toledo, Ohio, and was considered 
to have been an inoffensive spectator. A coro- 
ner'? inquest was held and an attempt was made 
to discover the perpetrator of the deed. No ar- 
rest was ever made and it never became known 
who struck the young student. Another militia 
company was formed and a number of the citi- 
zens took up the matter and secured the muster- 
ing out of the old company on account of its melee 
and the taking of arms from the armory without 
authority. The new company was at once mus- 
tered in as Company A, First Regiment. 

STREET RAILW.WS. 

Ann Arbor's first street railway was run by 
electricity. It was built by J. B. Corliss and 
A. R. McLaughlin of Detroit, and the first cars 
were started on September 30, 1890. On Janu- 
ary 30, 1891, the road was sold to H. P. Glover 



■14 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



and H. T. Morton for $84,000. The street car 
barns at this time were located on Detroit street. 
During the early morning- of January 25, 1894, 
the barns caught fire and \vere entirely destroyed 
together with all the rolling stock of the road 
which had been placed in the barns for the night. 
The road had not been an extremely profitable 
investment up to this date and the owners did not 
re-equip it with rolling stock, so that for a pe- 
riod of about two \ears no street cars were run in 
.\nn Arbor. ,\t the end of this time the Ann 
Arbor contracts and franchises were sold to the 
Detroit, Ypsilanti & Ann Arbor electric line, 
which has since operated the road. No exten- 
sions have yet been made except that part used 
by the suburban lines alone and an extension 
from Hill street to the present street car barns, 
which are located opposite the Fair Grounds on 
Wells street. Extensions are now planned to be 
built in the spring of 1906 to the city parks on 
the north side and to a point near the University 
hospitals. 

STREICT LiraiTINC. 

The streets of Ann .-Xrbor were originally 
lighted with oil lamps. They were always heavih' 
shaded and in the early days especially were ex- 
tremely dark so that no cattle were allowed to 
run at large, as they had been formerly, it not 
being infrequent for a Ijelated pedestrian to stum- 
ble over a cow. In 1861 the .A.nn .\rbor Gas Com- 
pany was organized by Dr. Silas H. Douglas and 
it was not long before the streets of Ann Arbor 
were lighted with gas so far as the gas mains ex- 
tended, and the remaining streets were taken care 
of with excellent lamps. This continued down 
to 1886, when the council decided to make a 
contract for lighting the streets with electricity, 
and on October 22, 1886, a contract was made 
with the Ann Arbor Van Depoele Light & Power 
Company, for the Thompson-Houston electric 
light, sixty-three arc lights of two thousand can- 
dle power to burn two hundred and sixty-five 
nights from twilight to midnight, for six thou- 
sand dollars a year. Since this time the streets 
have continued to be lighted with electricity, the 
price being gradually reduced as the various con- 
tracts with the electric company have expired. 



On January i, 1906, a new contract was made 
with the Washtenaw Light and Power Company 
who are located at Geddes midway between Ann 
.\rbor and Ypsilanti for the purpose of furnish- 
ing light and power to both cities, for one hun- 
dred and fifty arc lights to burn all night, for 
nine thousand four hundred and fifty dollars a 
}'ear ; and at the same time a contract was made 
with the .A.nn .\rbor Gas Company for seventy- 
seven gas lights using the Welsbach burners, for 
use on the more densely shaded streets, especially 
between Ijlocks, for one thousand six hundred and 
ninety-four dollars a year. 

The Washtenaw Light and Power Company 
and an allied company, in addition to their large 
plant at Geddes, have recently purchased the 
water rights of the Michigan Milling Company 
and of the .\nn .\rbor .Agricultural Company, 
paying for the same over $160,000. These pur- 
chases included the electric light power house lo- 
cated on the ruins of the Argo or Sinclair ^lills 
for the purpose of furnishing power to the va- 
rious mills of the Michigan Milling Company. 
These ])urchases are believed to be a part of the 
scheme for the power development of the Huron 
river, referred to in a separate chapter. 

The Ann .\rbor Gas Company, which, we have 
seen, was started in 1861, has been practically re- 
built in recent years under the management of 
Henr\' W. Douglas, a son of the founder of the 
company. .\ new and greatl\- improved gas works 
has been built on Picakes street near the Huron 
river, and new mains have been laid thoughout 
the city. A change has been made in the manu- 
facture of gas and gas is furnished citizens at a 
dollar a thousand. The consumption of gas in 
.\nn .\ri)iir in the past ten years has enormously 
increased. 

THE ANN .\RnOR W'.VTER C0MP.\NY. 

Water works were built in Ann Arbor in 1885. 
The\- had been under discussion for a number of 
months and the need of them was felt by all citi- 
zens, vet a majority of citizens seemed to be 
opposed to municipal ownership. A committee 
appointed in 1884, consisting of Judge Thomas 
■\L Cooley, ex-Governor Alpheus Felch, Dr. V. C. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



715 



A'aiighan. Charles E. Hiscock and Christian 
Eberbach, with Professor Charles E. Greene as 
engineer, to consider and report upon a system 
of water works for the supply of the city, had ap- 
proved of plans drafted by Professor Greene, and 
on March 23, 1885, reported to the Council in 
favor of accepting the proposition to build the 
works made by Goodhue & Birnie, of Springfield, 
Massachusetts. They pro])osed to lay fourteen 
miles of pipe and to construct a reservoir two 
hundred feet above the corner of Main and Huron 
streets, to be supplied with water from wells ; and 
also to put in one hundred fire hydrants to be 
rented to the city for four thousand dollars annu- 
ally, with the option to the city to purchase the 
whole works at any time within five years. The 
question was submitted to the voters of the citv 
as to whether the proposition of Goodhue & P)ir- 
nie should be accepted, on April 6, 1885, and the 
electors by a vote of 1336 for to 174 against, prac- 
tically directed the Council t" make a contract 
with this firm, which contract is substan- 
tially the same as the contract under which 
the Ann .\rbor Water Company is now run- 
ning. The proposition to give a private com- 
pany an exclusive franchise to use the streets for 
water pipes carried everywhere in the city and in 
each ward there were at least four times as many 
people that voted for it as against it. It seems to 
have been the most popular in the Fourth ward 
where the vote was 254 for to 14 against. A 
council meeting was held that evening and a com- 
mittee appointed consisting of John F. Lawrence, 
Charles E. Hiscock, John Heinzmann, E. D. 
Kinne, Philip Bach, Christian Eberbach and Pro- 
fessor Charles E. Greene, to arrange a contract 
with Goodhue & Birnie. This contract was re- 
ported back to the council by the committee and 
passed April 13, 1885, but as Governor Alger 
refused to sign a necessary provision to be added 
to the charter to enable the city to bind itself to 
the expenditure of four thousand dollars for hv- 
drant rental, until the question should be sub- 
mitted to the ]jeople, the contract was not signed 
and again came before the council. J. D. Hawks, 
at that time the chief engineer of the Michigan 
Central Railroad, was called upon and consulted 
with reference to the contract and he pointed out 



some defects in its provisions. Some alterations 
were made in the contract and it was reported 
back to the council on May 6, 1885, and passed. 
On June 1, 1885, Professor Charles E. Greene 
was appointed to represent the city in the con- 
struction of the water works. The works were 
completed and the pumps started December i, 
1885, and tested December sth, by Professor 
Charles E. Greene. The works were accepted bv 
the coimcil by a vote of nine to one. Alderman 
Poland alone voting against their acceptance. The 
first cost of constructing the water works was 
one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. 

The use of city water in Ann Arbor became at 
once popular. Previous to the building of the 
works many of the inhabitants of the citv had 
been supplied with drinking water from wells, 
carrying the water stjme distance, while others 
were dependent entirely upon filtered rain water 
from cisterns. The estimated supply, when the 
works were first built, of five hundred thousand 
gallons per day, which it was said at that time 
would be sufiicient to supply the citv for many 
years to come, soon became entirely inadequate to 
meet the demand. An extension of the works 
was made across the river to the Allen farm and 
a connection made with the Huron river, and al- 
though denied at the time, there is no question 
but what in the early days of the water works 
the Huron river was drawn upon to fiill out the 
necessary supply. The first great dispute wdth 
the water company grew out of the use of the 
water from the Allen farm. The inlet to the pipe 
took in water running from a marsh in which 
were buried dead horses, and during rainstorms 
drained a barnyard in which many horses were 
kept. A. W. Hamilton, the first superintendent 
of the works, was finally compelled to exclude 
water from the .Mien farm from the water works 
reservoir. Mr. Hamilton was interested in min- 
ing projects and the water company was so man- 
aged that it finally went into a receiver's hands 
in 1893, .A. K. Hale being appointed receiver. Dr. 
Hale was the largest stockholder in the company. 
For the first time in the history of the company 
it was now managed on business principles, and 
unlike most companies which pass into the hands 
of a receiver, was turned liack to the stockliolders 



7i6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



in 189 — without their having been called upon 
during thf period of receivership for further pay- 
ments. Stock of the company which had been a 
drug upon the market at ten and fifteen dollars, 
once more went to par. It has never been known 
exactly how much the water company lost through 
the manipulations of Mr. Hamilton, but the op- 
portunity of the city to purchase the works at a 
low price at about the time that the company went 
into the hands of a receiver was not grasped. 

For some time after Dr. Hale assumed the man- 
agement of the company, first as receiver and then 
as superintendent, the company gave better satis- 
faction to the people than it did under Mr. Ham- 
ilton's management, but it was a private company 
handling a public monopoly and its interests and 
the interests of the city often clashed. From time 
to time committees of the cotmcil have investi- 
gated the company and their efiforts seem to have 
been directed toward obtaining a better fire pro- 
tection and lower water rates for private consum- 
ers. Occasionally the quality of the water has 
been attacked. The company has stoutly main- 
tained that it has been carrying out its part of the 
provisions of its contract. .\s to the quality of 
the water it seems to have been generally good 
since the company was restrained by an injunc- 
tion, in 1895, by the Argo INIills, from drawing 
water from the Huron river. The company has 
frequently had the water analyzed. Under the 
administration of Dr. Copeland, the council, for 
the first time, passed an ordinance fixing water 
rates. The ordinance recommended at this time 
by the water committee of the council, who had 
spent some months investigating the affairs of the 
company and who had unsuccessfully sought to 
get from the company such terms as would en- 
able the city to buy the plant, was not accepted 
by the council ; but a compromise ordinance was 
passed fixing the rates at about half way between 
the rates recommended by the water committee 
and the rates then in force by the water company. 

On January 2, 1905, the question of fire pres- 
sure was forcibly brought to the attention of the 
public by the high school fire. The fact that the 
high school was entirely destroyed was laid by 
many to inadequate fire pressure. Reservoir pres- 
sure was all that was furnished at this fire. As 



a matter of fact the direct presstire called for in 
the contract had never been used by the company 
except on two occasions when the reservoir was 
being cleaned ; and the water company denied that 
the city had any right to direct pressure under the 
contract except on such occasions. Counsel for 
the city maintained that the city has a right to 
direct pressure in case of fire under the contract 
which provides that the works shall at all times 
be capable of furnishing by direct pressure 
streams of a certain height at certain places in the 
city. .\ committee was appointed February 20, 
1903, bv the council, consisting of Colonel Henry 
S. Dean, Professor Joseph B. Davis, Dr. Roral S. 
Copeland, Dr. Cyrenus G. Darling, Professor 
Horace L. Wilgus, B. Frank Ohlinger, Professor 
Israel C. Russell, Gottlob Luick, John Markey, 
Richard Kearns, I. L. Sherk, Christian Schlenker, 
George H. Fischer, Henry W. Douglas and Em- 
mett Coon, to investigate the water supply and 
the Ann Arbor Water Company thoroughly. This 
committee was made up of eight citizens and 
seven councilmen, the councilmen being Messrs. 
Sherk, Fischer, Markey, Kearns, Coon, Douglas 
and Schlenker. Nearly a year was spent by the 
committee in investigating the water problem and 
the relations existing between the City of Ann 
.\rbor and the Ann Arbor Water Company, and 
the rights of each. This committee made their 
final report to the council on February 5, 1906, 
recommending the forcing of the water company 
to give the city the protection of direct pressure 
by mandamus proceedings. They also recom- 
mended the passing of an ordinance lowering the 
existing water rates ten per cent, and put up a 
strong plea for municipal ownership providing 
the works could be purchased at what they are 
worth to the city. 

The water works problem in Ann .\rbor, it will 
be seen, is yet unsettled and bids fair to be one of 
the main problems before the city for some years 
to come. The works are several times as large in 
capacity as they were when first built and the de- 
mand for more water is increasing year by year 
at a rapid rate. Instead of five hundred thousand 
gallons a day, as first estimated, in the neighbor- 
hood of 2,000,000 gallons a day are now used. 
Instead of fourteen miles of mains, there are now 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



717 



forty-two miles of water pipes. Instead of one 
pumping station, located on the Huron river about 
a mile above the city, there are now two stations, 
a second station being erected in the valley be- 
tween Washington and Liberty streets west of 
Allen creek in 1896. which is now the main 
source of supply. It is fed by a large number of 
artesian wells in its vicinity. There are many 
conflicting views among the people of the city 
as to the proper solution of the water works prob- 
lem and these conflicting views are really what 
prevents anything being done towards its settle- 
ment. 

SEWERS. 

Ann Arbor has a fine system of sanitary sewers 
laid on plans drawn by Professor C. E. Greene. 
The main sewer was built in 1893 ^t a cost of 
thirty thousand dollars. The cost of building this 
sewer was distributed over a number of years and 
at present but six thousand dollars of main sewer 
bonds are outstanding. That is the only debt on 
the city of Ann Arbor at present that belongs to 
the city as a whole. The city issued bonds 
for the building of lateral sewers and for 
paving, but these are assessed upon the property 
benefited. Sanitary lateral sewers have been built 
in all directions and there are at present sixteen 
lateral sewers in the city and more about to be 
constructed. 

P.-WING. 

Ann Arbor is located for the most part upon a 
natural gravel bed a number of feet deep so that 
for many years the necessity of paving was not 
felt. Good gravel streets can be maintained at 
comparitively little expense with proper attention. 
With the large increase in the number of miles 
of streets consequent upon the growth of the city 
much of the attention of the city was put upon 
the streets at the outskirts of the town, so that 
Main street with its he:ivy travel was somewhat 
neglected. To be in line with other cities, Main 
street was paved with brick in 1898, from Wil- 
liams to Catherine street, at a cost of $31,375. 
The following year Washington street was paved 
from Ashley street to Fifth avenue at a cost of 
$11,645, and in 1900 Huron street was paved with 
43 



asphalt block from State street to Ashley street 
at a cost of $27,845. In 1902 State street was 
paved with asphalt block from Huron to Monroe 
streets at a cost of $31,778 and Ann street with 
brick at a cost of $2,860; and in 1903 Liberty 
street was paved with the same material from State 
street to Ashley street at a cost of $24,486. Fourth 
avenue was paved at the same time with asphalt 
from Liberty street to Huron street at a cost of 
$6,490. In 1905 the city returned to the use of brick 
for paving purposes and North University avenue 
was paved at a cost of $10,000. The city is now 
planning to pave Williams street with brick in 
the spring of 1906 at an estimated cost of $20,000. 

STORM SEWERS. 

^^'ith the putting in of pavements on Main 
street it was deemed necessary to plan some 
method of caring for the surface water of the city 
drawn by the open gutters which had previously 
been in vogue, and storm sewers were constructed 
by the city emptying into Allen creek, which 
carry off a great deal of the surface water of the 
city. The cost of the storm sewers originally put 
in was in the neighborhood of $30,000, and they 
were constructed without any provision being 
made for their expense by a tax levy by the city. 
This caused the city to be in debt for current 
expenses on the first of February of each year, in 
violation of the charter, and it was not until 1904 
that the money was finally raised to pay for the 
construction of the storm sewer system, and the 
overdrawn fund for which no money had been 
appropriated, but which paid for the construction 
of the storm sewer system, was finally wiped out. 
Since the original storm sewers were put in about 
$5,000 or $6,000 has been expended in the build- 
ing of additional storm sewers. 

R.MLROAD DEPOTS. 

The handsome stone depot of the Michigan 
Central built in 1886 was not obtained without an 
expenditure of money on the part of the city, but 
the appropriation of $5,000 to the Michigan Cen- 
tral was not given for the purpose of building a 
depot. The depot was, however, a part of the 



7l8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



consideration of the city apiiroi)i-iating- $3,000 to- 
wards bnildint;- the approaches to the hrido^e which 
the Midiii^an Central erected on 1 '.cakes street, 
thus securint;- separation of grades at this point. 
The old depot of the Michigan Central was turned 
into a frcit^'lit house. 

The present Ann Arbor Railroad depot was 
erected in i88<S and the eit\ appropriated $2,500 
for the purpose of opening- Ashley street from 
Williams to West Jefi'erson so lliat a depot might 
be built at this point. 

CK.MHl SI-".I'AK.\ IION. 

For man\- yeirs the two railroads in Ann .Arbor 
were crossed by the streets of the citv at grade. 
The first partial separation of grades, it has been 
seen, occurred in i88() on the occasion of the 
building of the Michigan Central depot. State 
street which had formerly crossed the track was 
closed at this point and a grade was started by the 
building of an overhead bridge on I'eakes street. 
The Michigan Central in igo2, without expense 
to the city, separated the grade nn buller street 
In- building an overhead bridge, .At the same 
time they lowered their track through the city 
and slightly changed the course of the Huron 
river. There is now no i)lace in the cit\ where 
the Central is crossed at grade. 

The problem of separating the grades of the 
Ann Arbor Railroad was a nnich more difficult 
one. This road runs through the cit_\- and was 
built after the streets were laid out so that a great 
number of streets cross the track. While the 
Michigan Central was constructed along the Huron 
river where it was camparatively easy to end the 
streets with crossing the track. A separation of 
the grade of the Ann Arbor Railroad was made in 
i(!fc>3-4 by the railroad itself at many of the streets 
crossed by the track in the city. With the permis- 
sion of the city the railroad lifted its track at 
some expense and caused a separation of grade at 
Miller, Felch, Huron and \\'ashington streets. 
There now remain grade crossings on this road 
at Liberty, Williams, .Ashley. West Jefiferson. 
South Main, West Madison, Hill and South State 
streets. 



FIUI-; l>i:l'AK-|'.MENT. 

The files nf the earlv papers in Ann .\rbnr con- 
tain little reference to local fires. They were sup- 
posed to be something that the subscribers knew 
all al)i;ut liecanse it was the custom in the early 
da\s for every one to go to all fires. ( )n June 18, 
1S45, we find, however, a public meeting was 
called on account of "the recent destrnctidu of a 
large annHTt of property by fire and the alarming 
danger to which the whole of lower town is ex- 
posed calls for some efticicnt measures of protec- 
tion." This was not the first time that a public 
meeting had been called in Ann .\rbor for the 
])ur])ose of securing more efficient fire protection. 
In 1841 the stove in St. .Andrew's I-^piscopal 
clnn-ch burst and a fire started which was extin- 
guished Infnre it consumed the church Init not 
until it had destroyed the organ. Something 
seems to have been wn.mg with the workings of 
the amateur firemen for frequent public meetings 
were held during the next few weeks to devise 
seme sNstem of more adequate fire protection. 
The final (intcnme of these public meetings was 
the reconnnendation to the village board of trus- 
tees that a puchase be made of 100 feet of hose, a 
small ladder and several dozen fire helmets. A 
cixle (if fire rules was also adopted, the principal 
one of which was that it was the dut\- of every 
citizen, under iiain of punishment, to, innnedi- 
atelv upcm hearing the cry of fire, call "Fire!" at 
the tnp of his lungs and repair to the scene with 
a bucket or inil. That these rules did not act as 
an absolute preventative of fire is shown by the 
calling of another public meeting in [845. 

\'i>hmteer fire companies were early organized 
in .\nn Arbur and did much effective work. Mo.st 
of the able-bnilied citizens of the town belonged 
to one or another df these fire companies in their 
vounger da\ s. The records of most of these early 
companies have been lost. On Jan. 28, 1850. 
Eagle b'ire Company, No. 2, was organized, and 
on March 2, 1864, Eagle Fire Company No. i 
was reorganized with Charles Tripp chief cn- 
giucer. The distinction drawn between what was 
formerlv called Cjipu- and Lower Town contin- 
ually crops out in the records of the meetings of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



719 



these volunteer fire companies. I'or instance the 
organization of a company in 1S50 Ijc^ins witli 
the words: "At a meetinsj ni the inhaliitants of llic 
Upper Village of Ann Arlmr on January 28. 1850, 
at seven o'clock, with thirt\-four present."' This 
meeting was held at the American Hotel on the 
corner of Huron and .\shley streets which was 
lc:rn down when E. Al. (jregory Ijuilt the Monitor 
I lotcl at that place which is ikav doing duty as a 
livery stahle. The uniform of this fire company 
was a "red flannel jacket pleated on the breast and 
hack with collar six inches wide of black alpaca, 
to turn over on the shoulder, trimmed with two 
rows of white bobbin, with two l)lack buttons at 
the neck and two at the waistband. Cuffs black 
and a leather belt three inches wide with the lumi- 
ber of the comj^any on it. A tarpaulin hat with 
nn elevated front face, with an eagle and the 
number of the coiupan\ ." This company started 
with sixty-two charter members. This is the com- 
l)any that turned out to escort the Hon. John 
.Sedgwick from the depot when he retiirnid from 
Lansing with the charter that made Ann Arbor 
a city on .V|)ril 4. 1S51. For man\- \cars hand 
engines did effective work in .\iut .Vrbor and vol- 
unteer companies continued to do good work at 
fires ; but as the city grew larger, and fire alarms 
more nuiuerous, the fun of being a fireman was 
soiuewhat extinguished by the consequent labor, 
and it becaiue more and more difficult to keep up 
the companies. 

Students at the university who had come from 
larger towns soon began guying the primitive 
fire departmeiU of Ami Arbor, which made it all 
the more difficult to keep up the volunteer coiu- 
panies which had actually Ijcen doing excellent 
work. The [iresent l'"ireman's Hall was erected in 
188 — at a cost of $12,000 and was used for stor- 
ing the volunteer apparatus and the steamer 
which had been bought in the early eighties, the 
second story being used as a public hall. .Mxnit 
1888 it becaiue evident that the volunteer coiu])a- 
nies would have to go and a ])aid luan was em- 
ployed to be at the engine house at all times. The 
.Ami Arbor Fire DepartmeiU thus consisted of one 
paid man and a few volunteers. The first i)aid 
fireman in .Ann .Arbor w^as Christopher i\Iatthews. 
The following year a board of fire commissioners 



was created and Fred Sipley was made chief of 
the fire department. Moses Seabolt was the first 
president of this commission and has remained a 
member of it ever since, having been previously 
connected with the volunteers for a great many 
years ; and P'red Sipley still holds the position of 
fire chief. He was given a small company of paid 
lueu, and a larger number of men who were paid 
a small sum monthly to sleep at the engine house 
and to respond for night calls to fires. After a 
short time the "luinute men" were' dropped, and 
only men employed wdio devoted their entire time 
to die work of the department. 

The fire company at Firemen's Hall, on the cor- 
ner of Huron and Fifth avenue, continued to re- 
spond to fire calls from all ])arts of the city until 
11J05 when a second company was placed in the 
sixth ward on East University avenue in a fire 
house which had been erected by the city for the 
use of a volunteer comiiany. This fire company 
was placed there in response to a demand for bet- 
ter [protection from fire in the sixth and seventh 
war<Is, which followed the high school fire of 
January 2. u/)5. 

CICMKTICKUCS. 

The first cemetery in .\nn .Vrbor was at the 
bead of T"^ast Huron street, and contained five 
acres which were donated to .Ann .\rbor town by 
Andrew N'owland in 1832. For a great many 
years all of the early settlers were buried in this 
cemeterv. .After the building of the Forest Hill 
cemetery, the old cemetery went into disuse, the 
grounds were uucared for and grown up with 
w'eeds and the monuiuents were in a state of decay. 
The remains of those whose families remained in 
the city, with their monuments, have been trans- 
ferred to the Forest Hill cemetery. The city 
made a number of efforts to vacate the cemeterv, 
but it was found that the title was in .Viui Arbor 
town which caused the aldermen to abandon the 
l)ntject. l'"inally Charles R. Whitman purchased 
the title from Ann .Vrlior town for the ]>urpose of 
vacating the ceiuetery, for $500. The city brought 
suit to determine its rights in the matter and the 
suit was finally .settled liy .Mr. Whitman selling 
the cemetery to the city. Tiie ceiuetery was then 
vacated, a lot purchased by the city in Forest Hill 



720 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



cemetery and to this lot were conveyed the re- 
mains and monuments which had been left in the 
old cemetery. The cemetery thus vacated was 
turned into a park called Felch park, in honor 
of ex-Governor Felch. The total cost to the city 
of buying and removing the remains was under 
$2,500. 

Anson Brown gave a plot of ground on the hill 
southwest of the Washtenaw House for a ceme- 
tery, and Elizabeth Thompson, the mother of 
William R. Thompson was buried in it. This 
plot has been added to from time to time and is 
now called Fairview cemetery. It belongs to the 
city and has been greatly improved in recent 
years, considerable care being taken of the lots. A 
soldiers' monument was erected in this cemetery 
in 1874. 

Forest Hill cemetery was dedicated in 1859. It 
comprised forty acres and has been well managed 
bv the Forest Hill Cemetery Association which is 
composed of the lot owners in the cemetery. The 
cemeterv association now has on hand over 
$30,000 invested in interest bearing securities, for 
the care and maintenance of the cemetery. 

THE .^iNN .^RBOR SCHOOLS. 

The following article on the schools of Ann 
Arbor was written by Professor W. S. Perry in 
1880: 

"The first settlers of Ann Arbor, Messrs. Allen 
and Rumsey, arrived in 1824. The first school 
was opened in 1825 by Miss Monroe, in a log 
house on the present site of Duflfy's store. The 
furniture of the room consisted of a very few 
rude benches and a chair. All the light enjoyed 
was received through windows composed of sin- 
gle panes of glass eight by nine inches. The fol- 
lowing year Miss Harriet G. Parsons, afterwards 
Mrs. Leoine Mills, taught in the same place. In 
1829 Miss Parsons removed her school to a frame 
house on the site of the present Zion Lutheran 
church, on Washington street. The same year a 
one-story brick building was erected by subscrip- 
tion for religious meetings and school purposes, 
on what is known as the 'Jail square,' on the 
southwest corner. The land was owned by the 
county, and about a year thereafter, the board of 



supervisors added a story to the building, which 
was used for some years thereafter as a 'jury- 
room' (court-room). Who taught the first school 
in this building cannot probably be ascertained. 
Down to this point there had been no public 
schools in this place; indeed, nearly all the edu- 
cational work of Ann Arbor was done by private 
enterprise. 

"The public scliools began their career in 1830. 
In that year the township of Ann Arbor, which 
then included all of Pittsfield and a part of North- 
field, was divided into eleven districts. District 
No. I included the village of Ann Arbor, and was 
similar to the present district in size, but different 
somewhat in shape. The first public school seems 
to have been taught in 1831, by whom, neither 
record nor tradition informs us. In 1832 the first 
school report by the school commissioners was 
made. The document is unique as it is brief. It 
contains simply these three items : 'No. of chil- 
dren between 5 and 15 years of age in the district, 
161. .\vcrage number in school, 35. No public 
monevs received.' For nearly a whole decade the 
records of the schools are missing, and memory 
faileth. In 1842 the township was re-districted. 
No. I becoming No. 11. with boundaries slightly 
differing from those of the parent district. .\ few 
existing school reports of this period furnish us 
with the following interesting facts : 

1839 1840 1842 1844 
No. of children between 5 

and 15 141 143 426 608 

No. enrolled in school... no 139 253 365 
Money raised for school 

purposes $500 $174 $299 $300 

"About this time union schools began to spring 
up in various parts of the state, and the agitation 
of the subject struck our little village and soon 
rose to fever heat. In 1845 '^ formidable petition, 
which secured the names of nearly all the solid 
men of the town north of Huron street, the aris- 
tocratic part of the village, was presented to the 
school inspectors, praying them to divide the dis- 
tricts 'before anv expense is incurred in prepar- 
ing to build a mammoth schoolhouse, as we prefer 
the svstem which experience has proved, to the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



721 



visionary and costly experiments." Counter peti- 
tions of those living- in the south and west portions 
of the town were made, but nevertheless the divis- 
ion was made, and for eight years the town sup- 
ported two schools and two sets of officers 
throughout. The experiment, however, was 
unsatisfactory. 

"It is now proper to return to the private 
schools by which the educational field was princi- 
pally occupied. In 1829 a 'select school' was 
opened by T. W. and Moses Merrill, in the Good- 
rich block, for teaching 'higher English and Latin 
and Greek." It was soon removed to a brick house 
standing where Eberbach's drug store now is, 
and there it was continued during 1830 and 1831, 
by J. W. Merrill, assisted by Miss Charlotte 
Moselv. Some of our most prominent citizens 
were pupils in this school. In the fall 
of 1832 several leading citizens of the 
town requested Rev. O. C. Thompson, now 
of Detroit (t88i), at that time acting as 
agent of the Sunday-school union in the territory 
of Michigan, to open an academy. He acceded, 
and during the following winter taught a large 
and popular school in the Presbyterian church on 
the site of the present church ( 1881I. It was a 
school of high grade, well sustained in the de- 
partment of classics, science and higher mathe- 
matics, and was patronized by students from all 
parts of the territory. There are good grounds 
for believing that at that time there was not an- 
other school of equally high character west of the 
lakes. Infant schools were maintained, at this 
period, in various parts of the village, by Mrs. O. 
C. Thompson, Mrs. Merrill and others. In 1835 
a high school, with courses of study in the clas- 
sics and English, was kept by Luke H. Parsons 
on the corner of Huron and Fourth streets, now 
occupied by the Cook House. In the same year 
there was established the Alanual Labor School 
on what is known as the 'Eberbach Place' about 
two miles east of the courthouse, on the south 
Ypsilanti road. The academic department aimed 
to furnish all the literary facilities for a school of 
high grade. It was in charge of Rev. Samuel 
Hair. The pupils were expected to pay for their 
board, in whole or in part, by labor on the farm. 
Three and a half hours of daily labor, or two 



hours of work daily and fifty cents at the end of 
each week, paid for three meals per day The 
experiment was not successful, and after a fitful 
existence of three years, the school was closed. 

"About the same time a female seminary, con- 
ducted by the Misses Page, was started in the 
back part of the present Leonard House, contin- 
uing there and in other parts of the village two or 
three years. This school was deservedly popular. 
The Misses Page were scholarly women and skill- 
ful teachers. It was also in 1835 that the famous 
'Old Academy' was erected on the corner of 
Fourth and Williams streets, where now stands 
the residence of Mrs. Behr (1881). The school 
was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, who had 
previously organized a school on Duffy's corner. 
The academy at once offered a wide range of 
studies in English, Latin, Greek and the sciences, 
with apparatus for chemistry, philo.sophy, astron- 
omy and surveying. It speedily established itself 
with the confidence of the people, and for a num- 
ber of years was the accepted and only prominent 
school in the place. Mr. O'Neil, and after him 
Mr. Mealetta, followed the Griffins in the man- 
agement of the school, .\bout the year 1845 ^ 
ladies' seminar\- of consideralile repute was es- 
tablished and conducted for two or more years by 
Mrs Wood, in the eastern part of the village, on 
the Lawrence addition. In 1844 an academical 
school, which had some connection with the uni- 
versity as a preparatory department, was insti- 
tuted by .\. S. Welch, now president of Iowa 
.\gricultural College (1881). It continued for 
three years, doing excellent work, especially in 
preparing students for the university. 

"The schools in Lower Town, fifth ward, until 
their consolidation with the city schools in 1861, 
had an interesting history, and deserve some spe- 
cial mention. Like those in the Upper Town, the 
first schools were private. One of the most emi- 
nent of the teachers there was Dr. Thomas Holmes, 
who taught in the M. E. church, then Baptist, in 
1S38. He also taught a district school in the same 
place in the following year. The same year, 1839, 
the first schoolhouse was built of brick on Traver 
street, and the following winter Dr. Holmes 
dedicated it by teaching an excellent school. This 
building served its purpose, and the people in that 



722 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



locality, until 1857. when the i)resent (1881) two- 
story brick building was erected on Wall street. 
For several years the school there was cjuite 
large and flourishing. The first teachers in it 
were Mr. Holden, his sister and Mrs. Mudge, 
now Mrs. C. K. Adams. 

"The most famous and the most permanent of 
the private schools of Ann Arbor was the Misses 
Clark's Seminary for Young Ladies. It was 
opened in the old Argus Block in 1839. but soon 
was removed to the corner of Fourth and Liberty 
streets, where it remained for three years : it then 
migrated to the corner of Second and Huron 
streets, where it was burned out. The school 
then took quarters in the brick building on 
Division street, where it continued for ten years, 
until the death of its worthy principal, Mary 
Clark, making an aggregate period for this school 
of thirtv-seven years. The Misses Clark, both in 
school proper and in their society relations, have 
occupied a large place in the educational history 
of Ann Arbor. Many prominent women, here 
and elsewhere, owe their high culture to the facil- 
ities enjoyed in this seminary. History, litera- 
ture and the lighter sciences were taught with 
marked success. In botany, Mary Clark was an 
authoritv, and several plants bearing her name 
attest her patience and ability as an original in- 
vestigator. In history, especially ecclesiastical 
history, Aliss Clark had no peer in the city, prob- 
ably not in the state. 

"We now go back to the public schools which 
were conducted in two districts. Upon the divis- 
ion of the districts in 1845, the old academy fell 
into the hands of the south district. No. 12, and 
for the following decade was the headquarters of 
school operations of the districts. Near the same 
time, 1845 or 1846, the building now known as the 
St. Thomas school (1881) was erected by the 
north district, No. ti, for a public schoolhouse. 
It is a matter of regret that during these years, 
up to the reunion of the two districts in 1853, the 
material for a school history of Ann Arbor is so 
meager that not even the names of the teachers 
have been preserved. The following statistical 
items, from the reports of the two districts for 
1846 and 1848 will be found of interest. 



1846 1848 
Xumljcr of children be- 
tween 4 and 18 No. i\ 300 499 

No. 12 357 438 
Number e n r o 1 I e d in 

school No. 1 1 278 150 

No. 12 180 167 
Amount of money re- 
ceived No. 1 1 $450 $800.00 

No. 12 $450 $348.75 

Amount ]iaid teachers No. 11 $224 

No. 12 $ 90 

The two districts remained separate for eight 
years, until 1853. They accomplished but little 
for the educational growth of the place, and most 
thoroughly failed to supply its educational neces- 
sities. It was clearly seen that proper and ample 
educational facilities for the city could only be 
had b\' uniting the two districts and grading the 
schools. lUit a consolidation was not to be se- 
curt<l without a struggle, and. although many 
who had favored separation, were now eager for 
reunion, it required all the tact and influence of 
such men as Erastus (). Haven, David Godfrey, 
Edwin Lawrence, Donald Mclntyre. L. S. Ho- 
bart, I'hilip Bach, I. N. Gott, Abram Sager and 
Chas. Tripp to bring together the two districts 
and set the school on the road to wider usefulness 
and prosperity. 

"The present ( 1881 ) epoch of the public 
schools began its history in 1853 by the union, 
under general laws, of the two districts, Nos. 11 
and 12 (of the township), which comprised the 
limits of the city. Ann Arbor at that time had 
been a chartered city two years. After much 
consideration and no little sharp advocacy of dif- 
ferent sites, the present ( 1881) site of the Central 
building was purchased the same year for $2,000. 
The Central building was erected in 1854-5 at a 
cost of $30,000. and was o]iened for school pur- 
poses in i85r). A special legislative act for the 
organization and government of the city schools 
was procured in 1859. In 1865 this act was 
amended, or rather re-made, and in the form it 
then took, except a slight change made in 1879, 
has remained in force up to the present time 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



723 



(1881). Tlic fiftli ward, not tlu-n a i)ai-t of the 
city, with its ])rcsciit buildings (1881), was an- 
nexed t(_) the (Hstrict in 1861. Aljout this time 
several other annexations of conti<juons territory 
were made to the district. The school attendance 
rapidly increased : the necessity soon came for 
more school room, and the ward Ijiiildino-s were 
erected in rapid succession. The .second ward 
house was built in i860; the first ward house in 
1862: the third ward house in i86fi; and the 
fourth ward house in 1869. In 1871 the Central 
building- was enlarged to nearly double its former 
capacity. Dming this building period the base- 
ment of the Central building and those of some of 
the city churches were used for school purposes. 
The "Old .\cademy' was sold in 1862. In 1868 
the North school building was sold to the society 
of St. Thomas for school purposes, and the same 
year the Catholics seceded from the public schools, 
withdrawing about two huudretl pupils and estali- 
lishing a school of their own. 

"While o|)erating under the general law, the 
district had the following directors : E. Lawrence, 
elected in 1853 and 1854; Charles Tripp, elected 
in 1855; I'',. I^awrence, elected again in 1856; E. 
B. Pond, elected in 1857 and 1858. Cnder the 
special act of 1859 the first board of trustees was 
as follows: E. W. Morgan, J. A[. Wheeler, E. 
Mann. Philip liach. W. C. \'oorhees. E. B. Pond: 
J. AI. Wheeler was elected president. E. B. Pond, 
secretary, and l'hili|) lUicb, treasurer. The offi- 
cers of the board down to the present time ( 1881 ) 
have been as follows : Presidents — J. M. Wheeler, 
1859-71; .\bram Sager, 1872: E. P.. Pond, 
1873-6; W. D. Harriman. 1878 — ; Secretaries — 
E. B. Pond, 1859-64; H. D. Bennett, 1865-6; W. 
W. Whedon. l867-(;; James 11. Cott, 1870-7; J. 
L. r.urleigh, 1878-80; W, W. Whedou, 1880-^; 
Treasurer.s — Philip I'.ach, 1857-76; Leonard 
Gruner, 1S77 — . The cit\ has been exceedingly 
fortunate, almost witiiout exception, in the char- 
acter of its school baird. It lias uniformK been 
composed of the best men of the citv, men wIkj 
Iiave ajipreciated education and its work, and who 
have cared for the sciiools in a wise and generous 
way, 

"The first attem])t at grading the sciiools seems 
to have been made in 1856 upon the opening of 



the Central building, when the primary, grammar 
and high-school deijartments were established, or 
rather marked ofif. At this point the public 
schools entered upon a new era of prosperity. 

"Froir. that time forth the Ann Arbor high 
school has been one of the most prominent feat- 
ures of the city. It is one of the largest prepara- 
tory and academical schools in the country, and 
its reputation has become well nigh national. Of 
its four hundred to fne hundrLd pupils, aljout 60 
per cent are non-residents. Its annual tuition 
receipts go far toward cancelling the cost of its 
support, while many families become temporar\- 
residents of the city in order to secure the advan- 
tages of its superior instruction. Since 1861, the 
date of its first graduating class, the school has 
graduated 870 of its pupils, a large proportion of 
whom entered the University of Michigan. It is 
douljtful if any other enterprise of the city has 
contributed more, even to its material prosperity 
than has the .-\nn .\rbor high school. The high 
school was organized in 185(1 with J. C. Abbott, 
now president of the Agricultural College 
{1881), as principal. He was succeeded, two 
years afterwards, by D. B. Briggs. with C. B. 
Grant as associate principal. After two years Mr. 
Rriggs resigned: Mr. (Irant became principal, and 
continued two years, giving all the instruction in 
Latin and (Jreek. 

"The first superintendent of the public schools 
was N. \V. Lawton, elected in 1862. He served 
five years, and was followed in 18(17 l)\ Elisha 
Jones, who remained three years. The present 
incumbent. W. S. Perry ( 1881 ), was elected in 
1870. The principals of the high school after 
the resignation of Mr. Grant in 1862 have been 
as follows: Martin L. D'Ooge, appointed in 1862; 
.\rthur Everett. 1864: J. D. H. Cornelius, 1865; 
.\. W. Hamilton, 1867; .\. H. Pattengill, 186S; 
.^. R. Wiiichell. 1869: I. X. Demmon, 1873 and 
J, G. Pattengill, 1876. 

"The develo]iment of the high school ma\- be 
indicated as follows; .\t the outset of 1856, two 
courses of study, of three years each, the English 
and the classical, were cstaljlishetl, together with 
special courses of two years in French and Ger- 
man. In 1868 the I^itin and elective courses were 
added, and the other two courses considerablv 



724 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



strengthened. The elective course proved worth- 
less and was soon dropped. In 1870 a scientific 
course of two years was adopted and in 1871 it 
was extended to three years. In 1874 the French 
and German special courses were discontinued. 
French and German incorporated in the Latin and 
scientific courses, and all the regular literary 
courses extended to four years each. In 1872 a 
commercial course of one year was organized, 
which, in 1S77, was extended to two years. 

"Drawing was a part of the grammar school 
course from the opening of the Central building 
in 1856. Since 1875 it has been taught in all the 
lower grade above 'the second. Painting was 
taught in the high school from 1856 to 1875. At 
first piano music was taught in the Central build- 
ing, but a few years sufficed to show that the 
school had higher and worthier functions than 
teaching instrumental music, and it was dropped. 
\'ocal music was made a special studv in all 
grades below the high school, in 1872. Aiming 
to be conservative of all the good of the |iast. the 
schools of the city are ever on the alert to keep 
abreast of every forward movement in the educa- 
tional reform, and to make practical in the school 
room the wisest conclusions of educational 
science. 

"The following three series of statistics taken 
at intervals of ten years are a fair illustration of 
the growth of the material interests of the citv 
schools: School census — 1860, 1,472; 1870, 
2,268: 1880, 2,483: enrollment — 1860, 1.307; 
1870, 1,864: 1880, 1,877; tuition — 1860, $1,202; 
1870, $2,025: 1880, $4,814: salaries — 1860, 
$5,741 ; 1870, $14,823; 1S80, $17,651 ; appropria- 
tions — 1860, $9,555; 1S70, $16,030; 1880, 
$18,700." 

Since 1880 the following facts need to be noted 
to continue Professor Perry's article down to the 
present time. Professor Perry remained as su- 
perintendent of the .\nn Arbor schools until his 
death in 1897, when he was succeeded by the 
present sujierintendent, Herbert M. Slauson. 
Judson G. Pattengill, who was a[)pointed principal 
of the high school in 1876, still fills that position. 
W. D. Harriman remained president of the school 
board for some time. Among the more recent 
presidents have been Miss Emma E. Bower, Mrs. 



Anna B. Bach, Eugene F. Mills, Ottmar Eber- 
bach and Martin J. Cavanaugh. In 1901 the sec- 
retary ceased to be a member of the school board, 
and Grove Ray was appointed to that position, 
which he still holds. 

The Tappan school, or sixth ward school, was 
built in the early eighties and was long regarded 
as one of the model ward school buildings of the 
state. .\n addition was built about 1890. The 
T'erry school, for the first and seventh wards, 
was built on Packard street in 1902 at a cost of 
$35,000, the old ward school building on State 
street being sold to the University of Michigan. 
.■\ $25,000 addition to the high school building 
was erected in 188 — . 

On January 2, 1905, fire was discovered in the 
basement of the high school building at four 
o'clock in the morning. It had evidentlv been 
luirning for some time before being discovered. 
The Iniilding was not in use at the time, owing 
tn its being vacation time, and the heating 
plant was not going. The fire is supposed to have 
caught from a stove in a room in the basement 
wliich was the only place in the building where a 
fire A\as kept going, and the starting is supposed 
to have been purely accidental. When the fire 
department arrived it was soon evident that the 
fire was beyond their control. The water pressure 
was insufficient to cope with the flames, and, as 
was afterwards discovered, one of the main hy- 
drants depended uiion was defective. In a few 
hours the building was entirely destroyed. The 
high school library and the physical apparatus 
were saved. The loss was $100,000, and the in- 
surance amounted to $40,000. Immediate arrange- 
ments were made to carry on the high scliool work 
in the basements of several of the churches, in 
Harris hall, and in the Hamilton block on North 
University avenue: and for a year and a half the 
high school students were scattered among these 
several buildings. Immediately plans were made 
for the erection of a new high school building on 
the site of the burned building. In April, 1905, 
the people of the district voted to bond the district 
for $200,000 for the erection of a new building. 
Plans were drawn by Malcomson and Higgin- 
botham of Detroit. In the meantime arrangements 
had been made with Andrew Carnegie for the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



725 



erection of a Carnegie library building in connec- 
tion with the high school. Bids for the erection 
of the high school and Carnegie libran," were 
opened in May, 1905, and the contract was 
awarded to E. M. Campfield of Ohio, for 
$237,000. 

CHURCHES. 

First Prcsbyfcrian Church. This church was 
the fourth Presbyterian church organized in the 
territory of Alichigan, and was organized on 
August 21, 1826, Rev. Noah ]\I. Wells, then a 
Detroit clergyman, officiating at its organization. 
Its first eighteen members who united with the 
church on that day were : Israel Branch, Mary 
Branch , Simeon jMills, Clarissa Alills, Bethuel 
Farrand, Deborah Farrand, Richard Lord, Ros- 
well Parsons, Agnes Parsons, Harriett Parsons, 
James Allen, Elizabeth Allen, Mrs. Monroe, 
Temperance Roberts, .\nn Isabella Allen. Phoebe 
AVhitmore and Mrs. Fanny Campbell. Of these 
members Mrs. .Deborah Farrand was the only 
one living in 1875. At the semi-centennial cele- 
bration of the organization of the church in 1876 
it was reported that in the first fifty years of the 
church's life 1,200 members had joined, and its 
membership at that time was 324. The church 
Avas organized in a log schoolhouse on the north- 
west corner of Main and .Vnn streets. In the 
winter of 1826-7 services were held in the parlor 
of the frame tavern on the southwest corner of 
?ilain and Huron streets, and later in the ball- 
room of the tavern where the Ann Arbor Savings 
Bank Block now stands. Still later services were 
lield in an unfinished room in an old frame build- 
ing called Cook's Hotel. The next change was to 
a frame schoolhouse on the corner of Washington 
street and Fifth avenue, and it was not until 1829 
that a frame church was erected on the site of the 
present church 1:)uilding. This frame church was 
originally 25 x 35 feet in size, with a belfry con- 
taining a small bell. The church was unpainted 
inside and out, and had been given only one coat 
of rough plastering. An addition of about twenty 
feet was built for the purpose of accommodating 
the largely increasing congregation. In this old 
church the first senate of Michigan was organ- 
ized in 1834. In 1837 a new church was built a 



little further west of Huron street, which was 
also a frame building, and the bell from the old 
church was transferred to the new belfry, and for 
a number of years rang twice a day to notify the 
people of the time of day, by order of the village 
board of trustees. This building was afterwards 
transferred to the third ward schoolhouse. In 
1862 the' present church building was erected to 
seat over a thousand people, at a cost of $35,000. 
Previous to 1832 the church had had no regular 
pastor, but Rev. William Page, who came here 
from Warrensville. W'}'oming county, New York, 
in October, 1826, conducted most of the services. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Ira Pettibone, who 
preached for about a year. The first regular resi- 
dent pastor of the church was the Rev. John 
Beach who came in October, 183 1, and remained 
until 1838. Then succeeded a number of sup- 
plies. Rev. E. T. Richards, Rev. E. E. Gregory. 
Rev. J. P. Cleveland and Rev. Ira M. Wood, until 
in October, 1834, a second regular jiastor was 
installed in the Rev. William S. Curtiss, D. D., 
who continued as pastor until April, 1855. In 
( )ctober. 1857, the Rev. Lucius D. Chapin was 
installed and remained until 1863, from which 
time the church was supplied for three years by 
the Rev. W. W'. Wetmore and the Rev. David 
Torrey. Rev. William J. Erdman was pastor 
from November, 1867, to j\larch. 1870. In Octo- 
ber, 1871, the Rev. Samuel W. Duffield was 
made pastor and remained for three years, when 
the church was supplied by the Rev. Dr. P.. F. 
Cocker until 1875, when Rev. F. T. Brown was 
installed. Mr. Brown was succeeded by the Rev. 
Richard H. Steele, D. D., in October, 1880, and 
Dr. Steele was succeeded in 1888 by the present 
pastor. Rev. J. Mills Gelston. 

The Methodist El^iscopa! Churcli. The first 
Methodist minister to visit Ann Arbor was the 
Rev. John A. Baughman, who preached at the 
house of James Allen in October. 1825. After 
his visit, in the absence of a minister, reading 
classes were held until in 1826 Rev. \\'illiam 
.Simmons visited the village. No class was formed 
until July 29, 1827, when the Rev. John A. 
Baughman organized a class consisting of Ebor 
White, Harvey Kinney, Hannah B.Brown. Rebecca 
T. Brown and Calvin Smith. For the first half of 



726 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the next \ ear Ann Arbor was in the Monroe cir- 
cuit and was siipphed hv the Rev. Geo. W. 
Walker, but in the latter half of the vear it was in- 
cluded within the Detroit circuit, Rev. John Janes 
being the circuit rider. In 1829 a new circuit was 
organized called the Huron, which included Ann 
.Arbor. In the early circuits preaching was held 
in Ann Arbor once in two weeks on Sunday. Part 
of the time after 1833 the cliiuxh was supplied by 
two ministers who so arranged the work that one 
of them would be in the village everv Sunday. 
.\t the Methodist conference in 1830 the name 
.Vnn .Vrbor appears on the list of appointments 
for the first time. In 1833 it was made the head 
of a district and the Rev. Henry Colclazer was 
placed in charge. Rev. James Gilruth, who died 
in Davenport. Iowa, in 1873. was one of the first 
presiding- elders in the Ann .\rbor district, which 
then composed almost all of the inhabitable portion 
of the state. In December. 1837. a series of re- 
vival meetings began, which resulted in 118 per- 
sons uniting with the church, among which were 
three who afterwards became ministers. In the 
spring of 1837 the building of a church was un- 
dertaken under the pastorate of the Rev. Peter 
Sharp and it was occupied in November. 1837. a 
revival being started in celebration of the building 
of the new church. The Iniilding was not full\- 
completed until 1839, under the pastorate of the 
Rev. Elijah Crane, and The Michigan M. E. 
Conference was held in the church on the da\- of 
its dedication. Rev. Thomas Wiley, who had 
been appointed in 1835 t^^e first pastor at Ann 
.Vrbor after it had 1)een made a station, died on 
April 4 of that year. The Rev. Henry Colclazer. 
one of the earliest pastors, was the first librarian 
of the university, a position wliich he held from 
1837 to 1845. Among the pastors of the church 
have been: 1830, Rev. Leonard P.. Gurley : 1831. 
Rev. Henry Colclazer. Rev. E. H. Pilcher ; 1832. 
Rev. E. H. Pilcher. Rev. E. S. Gavitt : 1833. Rev. 
Wm. M. Sullivan, Rev. L. D. Whitney: 1834, 
Rev. Henry Colclazer. Rev. .\. B. Elliott: 1835, 
Rev. Henry Colclazer, Rev. H. Gearing. Rev. 
Thomas Wiley: 1836. Rev. Peter Sharp; 1837, 
Rev. E. H. Pilcher: 1838. Rev. Elijah Crane: 

1839. Rev. Elijah Crane. Rev. Mr. Stoddard: 

1840. Rev. Jonathan Hud.son : 1841. Rev. John .\. 



Baughman ; i8.l|2, Rev. -Andrew M. Fitch: 1843. 
Rev. Elliott M. Crippen : 1844, Rev. Samuel D. 
.Simonds : 1846, Rev. Edward McClure; 1847. 
Rev. Rasin Sapp ; 1849, Rev. Geo. Smith: 1851, 
Rev. John^than Blanchard, Rev. D. D. Wheedon ; 
1853, Rev. Thomas C. Gardner; 1855, Rev. S. 
Reed: 1857, Rev. Elijah H. Pilcher: 1859, Rev. 
Wm. H. Perrine ; i860, Rev. F. A. Blades ; 1862. 
Rev. P.. F. Crocker: 1865. Rev. H. S. White: 
1868. Rev. B. F. Crocker; 1869, Rev. L. R. Fisk : 
1872. Rev. Wm. H. Shier; 1875. Rev. Isaac N. 
Elwood : 1876, Rev. R. B. Pope; 1879, R^v. John 
Alabaster. .Among the later pastors have been 
Rev. Dr. Ramsay. Rev. Camden ]M. Cobern, Rev. 
lienj. L. .McElroy. Rev. Edward S. Ninde and 
the ]iresent pastor. Rev. .\. W. Stalker. 

The First Baptist Church. The first Baptist 
meeting in -Vnn Arbor was probably that held at 
the house of the Rev. Moses Clark, the first set- 
tler of the Botsford farm, three and a half miles 
east of .\nn .Arlior. in Februar\', 1827. when 
Phoebe Hiscock was received into the Farming- 
ton church of which Mr. Clark held the pastorate, 
and it was voted to hold meetings in -\nn -\rbor 
regularly from that time. In May, 1829, the Rev. 
Moses Clark and his family, and several others, 
were dismissed from the Farniington church to 
organize a church at -\nn Arbor; and on June 
10 this church was formally organized. There 
were then liaptist churches in Pontiac. Stony 
Creek, Troy, Farmington and Detroit, and the 
.\nn -\rbor church was the sixth organized. The 
meuibershij) consisted of the Rev. Moses Clark, 
Lucy and Sally Clark, Phoebe Hiscock, Benja- 
min Slocum. Elizabeth and Nancy Brown and 
Charks Stewart. The meetings were held in the 
house, or barn, it is not known which, of the Rev. 
]Moses Clark, and for the first three or four years 
it was called the V])silanti church, until meetings 
were regularly held in the village of .\nn .Arbor, 
when the name was changed to .Ann .Arbor 
church, -\liout 183 1 the meetings were held in 
the schoolhouse on the jail lot near the corner of 
Fifth avenue and Liberty street. Later they were 
changed to the fifth ward, and in 1835 the First 
Baptist church was built in the fifth ward. In 
June. 1849. a new church was dedicated on 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



727 



Catherine street, wliicli was remodeled in i^^Ci 
and a seeond addition built in 1868. The present 
church buildint^ was erected in 1879-80 and is 
100x81 feet in size, with a seating capacity of 
750, costing about $25,000. Daniel P.. Brown 
was elected deacon of the church in 1832 and held 
that position for over fifty years. The pastors of 
the church from the beginning have been : Rev. 
JNfoses Clark-, Rev. Thomas W. Merrill, Rev. J. 
S. Twiss, Rev. Harvey Miller, Rev. ^^■. L. 
P)rown, Rev. A. A. Guernsey, Rev. O. C. Corn- 
stock, Rev. Marvin .\llen. Rev. A. Ten Brook, 
Rev. C. Deland, Rev. Samuel Graves, Rev. G. W. 
Gunnison, Rev. John M. Gregory, Rev. A. L. 
Freeman, Rev. Samuel Cornelius, Rev. N. S. P)Ur- 
ton. Rev. Samuel Haskell, Rev. Mr. Carman, and 
Rev. Thomas W. Young. In 1905 the Baptist 
church society purchased the fine Jaycox resi- 
dence on Huron street nearly opposite their 
church, and fitted it up for a guild hall for the 
students of the universit\' of the Baptist faith. 
They have also secured an endowment for its 
maintenance and the support of an assistant pas- 
tor, and the Rev. Warren P. Behan is the first as- 
sistant ])astor who has had charge of the Cniild 
Hall and the work among the students of the 
L^niversity. 

.S7. Tlwnias' Church. The first resident priest 
in Ann Arbor was the Rev. Thomas CuUeii, who 
came to the city in 1840. but liefore that time the 
scattered Catholic families in the vicinity of Ann 
Arbor had been ministered to by the Rev. Father 
Kelly from 1830 to 1835, and then by the Rev. 
Father Morrissey, both of whom lived in North- 
field. .\fter Father Cullen's arrival meetings 
were held in dififerent private houses until a 
cliurch was built in 1843. Rev. Father Cullen's 
district extended from Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo, 
and he was an exceedingly busy man. In 1848 
Rev. James Hennessey came to .\nn .\rbor to 
live with him aand assist him in his work, and 
together the two priests built many churches, in 
Dexter, Northfield, Jackson. Marshall and a num- 
ber of other places. In 1852 Rev. Father Hen- 
nessey moved to Marshall. Rev. Father Cullcn 
continued as pastor of the St. Thomas church un- 
til his death, September 7, 1862. Rev. Fdwarrl 



\'an Pammell was in charge of the church until 
iSf),^, when the Rev. Father J. Stephen succeeded 
him. During Mr. Stephen's pastorate a house for 
the priest was |)urchased, adjoining the churcli. 
He was succeeded by the Rev. Father H. Dalber 
in 1866, who founded the St. Thomas school 
which \et continues in a flourishing condition. 
In 1872 Rev. Father J. Murphy was pastor for 
four months, and in June, 1872, the Rev. Father 
I'^rancis Joseph \'aii Farp took charge of the par- 
ish. He was killed by falling from a carriage on 
his WAX home from the county house, where he 
had lieen holding services, on July 29, 1879, dy- 
ing three days later. Rev. Father W. J. Fierle 
was the next priest and served until 1891, when 
he was succeeded by the Rev. Father Edward 
Kellv, the present parish priest. During Father 
Ktllv's pastorate the church has made great 
strides and the elinrch pro])erty has developed 
into one of the finest church properties in the 
state. A new church was built and dedicated in 
November, 1899, 3.t a cost of over fifty thousand 
dollars, and in 1904 a large and handsome priest's 
house was built on the church grounds, so that at 
the present time on the church grounds which 
cover practically a block, there is a handsome 
church, a parochial residence, a large school build- 
ing and conservatory of music, and a music hall. 
During the past year a fine heating plant has been 
put in for all the buildings. 

rirst Congregational Church. The First Con- 
grtgationa! church in .\nn Arbor was organized 
March 2}^. 1847, with forty-eight members, and 
almost immediately the erection of a new church 
began, the church meetings during the building of 
the church being held in the court house. The 
first church was on the corner of Fifth and Wash- 
ington streets, on the site where the Zion church 
now stands, and was dedicated June 21, 1849, 'i"'^' 
in this church meetings were held by the Congre- 
gationalists until the present building on the cor- 
ner of State and Williams streets was erected in 
1876, the old church being sold to the German 
Lutheran society and thus becoming the Second 
German Lutheran church in .Vnn Arbor. The 
present church building and furnishings cost 
;di(iut fcirtv thousand dollars. Rev. E. P. Tnger- 



728 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



soil was the first pastor of the church, and served 
for one year ; Rev. L. Smith Hobart served for 
four years ; Rev. William L. Mather for two 
years ; Rev. Joseph Estabrook for a year ; Rev. 
George Candee for a year ; Rev. Samuel D. Coch- 
ran for three years ; Rev. E. A. Baldwin for six 
years ; Rev. William Smith for one year ; Rev. 
H. L. Hubbell for seven years ; Rev. William H. 
Ryder for eleven years ; Rev. John W. Bradshaw 
from 1888 up to 1900; and Rev. Carl S. Patton 
from that time to the present. Lorin Mills was 
elected deacon at the organization of the church 
anil held this office for forty-two vears. 

St. Andrczi.''s Episcopal Church. The parish 
of St. Andrew's is the second oldest parish in the 
state of Michigan, the only parish ante-dating it 
being St. Paul's parish in Detroit. Richard Cadle. 
who came as a missionar_\- to Michigan territory 
in 1824 and founded St. Paul's parish, visited 
Ann Arbor as early as 1825 or 1826, and in 1827 
or 1828 organized a mission church here, the 
first members being Henry Rumsey, Andrew Cor- 
nish, Marcus Lane, Samuel Denton, Elisha Bel- 
cher and Edward Clark. The meeting for the 
purpose of organization is supposed to have taken 
place at the house of Mrs. Hannah Clark, the 
mother of General Edward Clark, and the silver 
tankard supposed to have been used in the first 
eucharistic services of the church is now the prop- 
erty of Mrs. Charles Chapin, a granddaughter 
of Mrs. Hannah Clark. The e.xact date of the 
formation of the new church is unknown, but it 
is known that by-laws for it were written April 
19, 1828. At first lay readers officiated, but in 
1830 Rev. Silas W. Freeman was sent as a mis- 
sionary to Ann Arbor, Dexter and Ypsilanti. He 
reports having preached in .Vnn .\rbor to a con- 
gregation of fifty in a brick Iniilding which he 
calls "The Academy." Rev. \Villiani N. Lister 
is believed to have visited the village occasionally 
before this time. A frame church was conse- 
crated November 13. 1838. Tn 1840 it was sold 
imder sheriff's foreclosure for $494.45, but Vol- 
ney Chapin and Judge Kingsley came forward 
and jKiid up the debt. This frame church was 
nnjMiintecl for a long time, but later was painted 
white with green blinds. It had been used as a 



church for several months before it was conse- 
crated. At first each pewholder furnished his 
own carpet and cushion for his pew and a candle 
to light the church for evening service. The 
church was nearly destroyed by fire in 1841, but 
the principal damage seemed to have done to the 
organ. In 1855 a large pipe organ was put in, 
and continued to be used until 1905, when it was 
replaced with another organ at a cost of $4,300. 
The first parsonage was built about 1850, but 
shortly afterward it was sold. The cornerstone 
of the present church building was laid June 15, 
1868, and the church was consecrated November 
ID, 1869. The plans for it were drawn by G. W. 
Lloyd of Detroit, and Dr. Silas H. Douglas was 
superintendent of construction. The church cost 
thirty thousand dollars, and Air. Chauncey H. 
3ililler was the largest individual contributor. In 
1879 a chapel was planned, the cornerstone being 
laid November 28, 1880. In 1880 and 1881 a 
stone rectory was built adjoining the church. In 
1885 Hobart Guild was founded and Harris Hall 
erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars ; and 
and an endowment raised for its maintenance suf- 
ficient to pay the salary of a curator and janitor 
and maintain a library, besides an endowment of 
twenty thousand dollars for lectures. In 1892 
the church was greatly improved by the building 
of a new chancel. In 1903 a handsome tower 
eighty-two feet high was added to the church at 
a cost of ten thousand, the bequest of Mrs. Love 
M. Palmer in memory of her husband. Dr. A. B. 
Palmer, for many years a faithful vestryman. 
The rectors of the parish have been as follows : 
1830-33, Rev. Silas W. Freeman; 1834-5, Rev. 
J. P. borman; 1836-8, Rev. Mr. Marks; 1838- 
43, Rev. Francis H. Commins ; 1844-50, Rev. 
Charles Taylor; 1850-54. filled by Prof. George 
P. Williams and Rev. Charles Taylor; 1854-61, 
Rev. David F. Lumsden; 1861-75, Rev. George 
D. Gillespie; 1875-84, Rev. Wyllys Hall; 1885- 
8, Rev. Samuel Earp ; 1889, Rev. Henry Tatlock, 
who is the present rector. 

Fir.s-f t'liitariaii Church. This church was or- 
ganized in January, 1867, its first pastor lieing 
Rev. Charles H. Brigham, a very able and learned 
man who served the church until May, 1877. He 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



729 



died in Brooklyn, New York, in February. 1879, 
and was re.a;arded as one of the ablest preachers 
of the church. T. S. Sanford, Randall Schuyler, 
George D. Hill, Hiram Arnold, Moses Roofers 
and Henry K. White were the first trustees of the 
church ; and the first clerk was L. D. Burch. In 
February, 1867, the Unitarian society beg'an hold- 
ing meetings in what was then known as the 
Methodist church, on the corner of Fifth avenue 
and Ann streets, which building it purchased in 
March. 1867. After Dr. Brigham's death. Rev. 
Joseph H. .\llen. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
supplied the pulpit until 1878, when the Rev. J. T. 
Sunderland became pastor of the church. During 
his pastorate a handsome stone church was built 
on the corner of State and Huron streets in 1881, 
and a library was established, and also the La- 
dies' Union and Literary Club, the membership of 
wliich is not restricted to ladies of the Unitarian 
church alone. Rev. Dr. Sunderland continued 
in charge of the church until 1900 when Joseph 
H. Crooker became pastor. Dr. Crooker served 
until 1905, when he resigned. The church is at 
present without a regidar pastor. 

Zioii Lutheran Church. The Zion Lutheran 
church was organized July 16, 1875, with Rev. 
H. F. Belser as pastor, and in a few weeks one 
hundred and sixty-nine members were upon the 
church rolls. The Congregational church at the 
corner of Fifth avenue and Washington streets 
was purchased at a cost of four thousand three 
hundred dollars, and two hundred dollars was 
immediately expended in remodeling the building. 
The first deacons were William Alerkle, Philip 
I^ohr and Christian Mack ; and the first trustees 
were : Adam D. Seyler, Christian Hoffstetter, 
Frederick Schmid, Louis Schleicher, Conrad 
Schneider and Frederick Hutzel. Rev. Mr. Bel- 
ser continued pastor until 1890 and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Max Hein, who remained until 
1895. Tn that year Rev. Alexander Nicklas, the 
present pastor, succeeded in charge of the church. 
The present church building was erected on the 
site of the old church in 1894, at a cost of twenty 
thousand dollars. The church occupies a lot six- 
ty-five feet on Washington street by ninety-eight 
feet on Fifth avenue. Its tower is one hundred 



and fortv-five feet high. An excellent school 
building has been erected in recent years. 

Second Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1850 
a second Methodist church was organized in Ann 
.-\rbor and was located on the Fifth ward. Preach- 
ing continued in this church until 1859, when it 
was disbanded. During this period the following 
ministers supplied this church : Rev. Manasseh 
Hickey, Rev. Robert Bird, Rev. Andrew Bell, 
Rev. Edmund W. Borden, Rev. W. Benson, Rev. 
Ira Donaldson and Rev. George Taylor. 

German Methodist Episcopal Church. The 
German Methodist Episcopal church was built 
in 1846 on the southwest corner of Division and 
Liberty streets. The church society had been or- 
ganized for several years previous to this, and the 
first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Sethelmeyer, and 
the first trustees were Daniel Allmendinger and 
John L'ngemach. The society continued to oc- 
cupy their church on the corner of Division and 
Liberty streets until 1895, when the building was 
sold to the Seventh Day Adventists, and a new 
church erected on the corner of West Jefferson 
and Fourth streets. 

African Methodist Episcopal Church. The first 
pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal church 
in Ann .\rbor was the Rev. J. W. Brooks, and a 
church was organized in 1871 with si.xteen mem- 
bers. A church was built on the corner of Fourth 
avenue and Eeakes street in 1877. The present 
pastor is the Rev. Cassius Crosby. 

Second Baptist Church. The Second Baptist 
church is located on the southwest corner of 
Reakes street and Fifth avenue, and has been in 
existence for a number of years. The present 
pastor is the Rev. Walter R. Davis. 

Bethlehem Church. This church was organ- 
ized by Rev. F. Schmid, who was its pastor from 
1832 to 1871. The first church building was 
built in 1833 on land donated by Daniel F. All- 
mendinger, on what is now known as Jackson 
avenue, west of the city limits where the German 
cemeterv is now located. This first church cost 



730 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



t\v(i hundred and tilty dollars and thirty-two cents. 
In 1844 a brick church \va.s built on West Wash- 
ington street at a cost of one thousand eight hun- 
dred and twenty dollars. This cliurch was en- 
larged in 1863. The present church building on 
South Fourth avenue was erected in 1895 at a 
cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. Richard 
E. Raseman, of Detroit, was the architect and F. 
W. Glasford the contractor. The building com- 
mittee consisted of Rev. j. Neumann, Titus F. 
Hutzel, John Meyer, John Koch. Theodore Brue- 
gel, Charles Leismer and John Schenk. Rev. 
Mr. Schmid was succeeded in 1871 by Rev. Mr. 
Reuter, who remained six \ears. Rev. John Neu- 
mann was the ne.xt pastor and he continued in the 
work until 1902, when lie resigned to go to De- 
troit. Rev. S. John, the present pastor, was in- 
stalled October 11. 1903. Although the church 
organization has now (1906) been in existence 
for seventy- four years, the church has had but 
four pastors. 

Trinity Lutheran Church. This church was 
organized April 2, 1893. at Newberry Hall, the 
.sermon being preached by Rev. S. B. Barritz, 
D. D., secretary of the Board of Home Missions. 
A week later the church bought the Chapin prop- 
erty on the corner of Fifth avenue and Williams 
street for four thousand dollars, and moved the 
residence on the \\'illiams street side of the lot 
to be used as a parsonage. The building of a 
new church was at once commenced. The church 
was organized with forty members. The first pas- 
tor was the Rev. W. L. Tedrow, who continued 
to give his efforts to building up the church until 
1903. He was succeeded by the Rev. E. E. 
Neibel. the present pastor . The first elders of the 
church were E. H. Mensel and F. H. Brown, and 
the first deacons were C. E. Newcomer and F. H. 
Belser. 

Church of Christ. The Church of Christ, after- 
ward called the Memorial Church, of the Chris- 
tian denomination, was dedicated October 9, 1891. 
It is situated on South University avenue and has 
had a congregation of active workers. Among its 
pastors have been Rev. Dr. Young, Rev. William 
M. Forrest, Rev. Thomas W. Grafton, Rev. 



James .\. Canby and Rev. A. C. Graves, tlie pres- 
ent pastor. 

The Seveiitli Day Ailvciitist Chiircli. This 
church Ins had a congregation in Ann Arbor for 
some years. About 1895 they purchased the 
church on the corner of Division and Liberty 
streets, of the German Methodist Episcopal So- 
ciety, which they occupied until 1902, when they 
sold it to Dr. Clingman. The church building 
was torn down by Dr. Clingman and a residence 
erected in its place. The society at once erected 
a new church on Prospect street. Thev have a 



SCHOOL OF MUSIC. 

The University School of Music is located at 
Ann .\rbiir. It is the outgrowth of a school estab- 
lished by Professor Cady who was succeeded in 
his work by Professor A. A. Stanley, the present 
head of the School of Music : but it was not un- 
til Professor Stanley took charge that the school 
assumed proportions. The School of Music build- 
ing was erected in 1893 and dedicated on Novem- 
ber 30th of that year at a cost, with fixtures, of 
about fifteen thousand dollars. The monev to 
build it was raised by subscription through the 
efforts of Moses Seabolt and Henry S. Dean. The 
first president was A. L. Noble. The school has 
grown steadily in the number of pupils and has 
had on its faculty a number of distinguished mu- 
sicians. 

R.\NKS. 

.\nn Arbor at present (1905) has four banks, 
the h'irst National Bank, the Ann Arbor Savings 
Bank, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, and 
the State Savings Bank, with a fifth bank in pro- 
cess of organization, to be known as the German- 
American Bank. 

The First National Bank was organized July 
I, 1863. with a capital stock of seventy-five thou- 
sand dollars, which was taken by fifty-five citi- 
zens of Ann Arbor. This bank was the first na- 
tional bank to be organized in the state of Michi- 
gan, and was the twenty-second national bank to 
be organized in the United States. At the first 



PAST AND PRESENT OF V/ASHTENAW COUNTY. 



731 



meeting of the stockholders, \'ohiey Chapin was 
elected president : Dr. Eben Wells, vice president 
and Charles H. Richmond, cashier. At the end of 
the first quarter, September 30, 1863, the liank 
had on deposit $46,804.12. On July i. 1865. the 
capital stock was increased to $100,000, and on 
July I, 1866, to $125,000. On July 1. 1869, the 
capital stock was still further increased, this time 
to $150,000. In 1882 the hank was reorganized 
with a capital stock of $100,000. The bank was 
run in the Hangsterfer block on the corner of 
.Main and \\'ashington streets, for three _\ears ; 
and the present bank building was erected in 1866 
at a cost of $10,700 on ground that cost $5,000. 
A'olney Chapin was succeeded as president of the 
bank in 1865 by Ebenezer Wells, who was suc- 
ceeded as vice president by Philip I'ach. J. W. 
Knight succeeded Charles H. Richmond as cash- 
ier in 1866. Dr. Wells died in 1882 and was suc- 
ceeded by Charles H. Richmond. Mr. Richmond 
was succeeded in 1895 ''.^' Jtidgc E. D. Kinne, 
the present president of the bank. Harrison 
Soule was made vice president in 1895, and still 
holds that position. J. W. Knight remained as 
cashier until 1883, when he resigned and was suc- 
ceeded as cashier by Sidney W. Clarkson, the 
present cashier. 

The Ann Arbor Savings Bank was organized 
in the spring of 1869 in the office of Judge 
Thomas M. Cooley in the old law building on the 
campus. There were present at this meeting: 
Judge T. Al. Cooley, Dr. R. S. Smith, Harvey 
Cornwell, Christian Eberbach, William Dougal, 
E. W, Morgan, Daniel Hiscock, W. Wines, 
Christian Mack and W. D. Harriman, All of 
these ten men who organized the bank are dead, 
with the exception of Judge Harriman. There 
were sixty-nine stockholders originally, of whom 
eleven sur\ive (T906), and seven of these eleven 
stockholders surviving still retain their stock in 
the bank, ,\t the time of the organization of the 
bank, the banks of Ann Arbor were the First Na- 
tional Bank and the private banks of Miller & 
Webster and Donald Mclntyre, The new bank 
]irospered and flourished from the start and had 
phenominal growth ; and in the proportion of its 
capital to its surplus, it ranks as the first bank in 
Michigan and the nineteenth in the United States. 



The first president of the hank was Dr. Ransome 
S. Smith, who was a retired physician from cen- 
tral New York and had bought what was then 
known as the Judge Fletcher farm, his residence 
l)eing the present home of the nur.ses of the 
Homeo]iathic Hospital. Dr. Smith was succeeded 
by Judge Thomas M. Cooley, who was succeeded 
In' Christian Mack who remained president until 
his death in 1904. The prtsent president is 
Charles E. Hiscock, who has been with the bank 
in various positions since he was a boy. Tlie first 
cashier of the bank was Schuyler Grant, who was 
succeeded in 1876 by Charles E. Hiscock who 
served as cashier until 1904, when he became 
president. He was .succeeded by Michael J. 
Fritz, the present cashier, who had served for 
many years as assistant cashier. 

The Farmers' and Mechanics' liank was or- 
ganized in A])ril. 1883. Reuben Kempf was the 
first president and still retains tliat position, W. 
A. Tolchard was cashier until May, 1888, when 
he was succeeded by Frederick H. Belser, who 
is the present cashier. There have been more 
changes in vice presidents, wdio have been Harvev 
Cornwell, Edward DufTy, Charles E. Greene and 
William C. Stevens. Of the original board of 
directors Reuben Kempf, D. F. Schairer, William 
C. Stevens, Ambrose Kearney and Dr. W. F, 
Breakey are yet on the board. The bank have 
rebuilt their banking building. Their growth is 
indicated by the following figures : Deposits : 
January I, 1884, $76,411.70; 1889. $147,191.56: 
1894, $267,160.33: 1899, $468,359.38: 1904, 
$796,706.43: 1906, $882,097.80. Surplus, Jan- 
uary I, 1884, $626.39: 1889, $6,574.10: 1894, 
$25,900.86: 1899, $33,192,27: 1904, $56,984,21; 
1906, $67,489.70. Besides accumulating this 
surplus they have paid the stockholders in divi- 
dends $88,000. The capital stock is $50,000. 

The State Savings Bank was incorporated No- 
vember 18, 1892, with a capital stock of $50,000. 
Its surplus and undivided profits now amount to 
$46,131.31. It luilt in 1903 one of the prettiest 
bank buildings in the state. .V. L, Noble was its 
first president. J. W. Booth succeeded him. 
Robert Philips was the first cashier and remained 
until 1897, President Booth for some time per- 
formed part of the duties of cashier, John Walz, 



732 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Jr., being assistant cashier. Mr. Walz was made 
cashier in 1903. 

The German-American Bank expect to begin 
business with Charles W. Gill, president, and Ed- 
ward L. Sej'ler, cashier. 

There are now ( 1906) in Ann Arbor, nine bak- 
eries, four banks, eighteen barbers, four billiard 
halls, thirteen boarding houses, two brewers, nine 
blacksmiths, seventeen dentists, ten druggists, 
three florists, thirty-six fraternities, forty-one 
grocers, eight hotels, three private hospitals, four- 
teen laundries, eight livery stables, thirty-five 
manufacturers, seven photographers, five printers, 
eight restaurants, thirty-seven saloons and fifty- 
seven stores of various kinds. 

FACTORIES. 

The business of the Ann Arbor Organ Com- 
pany was first established in 1872 by Daniel F. 
Allmendinger. The company was first incorpo- 
rated Januan,- i, 1889, with a capital of $12,000 
paid in by twelve stockholders. Its capital stock 
has since been increased to $100,000. In nine 
months in 1888 seventy-five organs had been 
built and twelve men were employed. The busi- 
ness has since grown until it now has an output 
of three hundred organs and fifty pianos a month. 
The officers are : Fred Schmid, president ; G. 
Luick, vice president ; and J. C. Henderson, secre- 
tary-treasurer-manager. They manufacture the 
Ann Arbor organ and the Henderson piano. 

The Michigan Furniture Company was estab- 
lished in 1866 as the Keck Furniture Company, 
and was incorporated as the Michigan Furniture 
Company in 1884. Judge William D. Harriman 
has been president from the beginning of the 
company. Paul Snauble has for years been its 
manager. Since its organization as the Michigan 
Furniture Company it has never missed pa^'ing 
a dividend. Its factory has been enlarged and it 
gives employment to a large number of men. 

The Michigan Milling Company was incorpo- 
rated in April, 1900, with a capital stock of two 
hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Its 
officers are : H. S. Dean, president ; W. C. Stev- 
ens, vice president ; D. Frank Allmendinger, sec- 



retary-treasurer ; and Nelson J. Kyer, manager. 
The company was a merger of all the milling in- 
terests in Ann Arbor, including the Central Mill, 
which had been operated by Allmendinger & Sny- 
der ; the City Mills, which had been operated by 
Swathel, Kyer and Peterson ; and the Argo Mills, 
which were owned by Henry S. Dean, Sedgwick 
Dean, Major W. C. Stevens and Allmendinger & 
Snyder. The Argo Mills were burned early in 
1904. The milling company then erected an 
electric power plant on the site of the burned 
mills, but this they sold together with their water 
rights, to a company engaged in developing power 
on the Huron river, for one hundred and thirty- 
five thousand dollars. The Argo Mills were 
known for many years as the Sinclair Mills. The 
Alichigan Milling Company also owns the Delhi 
Mills and a number of elevators along the line of 
the Ann Arbor Railroad. 

In the 1900 census it was reported that there 
were 231 manufacturing establishments in Ann 
Arbor with a capital stock of $1,304,694, employ- 
ing 1,181 workmen, and paying $462,181 per 
year for wages. 

The assessed valuation of Ann Arbor in 1900 
per capita was $690.40, the largest assessed valu- 
ation per capita in any city in the state except 
Detroit. 



CHAPTER XX. 

HISTORY OF YPSILANTI CITY. 

As has previously been seen Ypsilanti was 
platted in 1825 after the Detroit & Chicago road 
had been surveyed past the old French trading 
post, and Woodruff's Grove had been sidetracked. 
Early in 1829 the new village of Ypsilanti is 
thus described in a letter written by a Canadian 
traveler, which appeared in the Western Emi- 
grant that year : 

"This is a new and flourishing village situated 
on the south bank of the Huron river. This 
place possesses some advantages over its con- 
temporaries. One in particular I will mention. 
The United States have laid out a road from De- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



733 



troit to Chicago which passes immediately through 
it. This is partly tinished by the Government 
from Detroit twenty miles west of this place." 

In 1837 Ypsilanti contained one hundred and 
twenty-one houses. In 1838 it contained a bank, 
a banking association, two churches — Presbyte- 
rian and Methodist — a tlouring mill with two run 
of stone, two saw-mills, a woolen factory, card- 
ing machine, iron foundry, a druggist, eight or 
ten stores, five lawyers and four physicians. The 
population was estimated at about one thousand. 

The village was incorporated June 29, 1832, 
and on September 3d of that year an election was 
held at the shop of John Bryan, which resulted 
in the election of John Gilbert as the first village 
president, E. M. Skinner as recorder, Ario Par- 
dee as treasurer, and Abel Millington, Mark 
Norris, Thomas R. Brown. James Vanderbilt and 
Walter B. Hewitt as trustees. On March g, 
1841, the village was divided into two wards, the 
first ward taking in all that part of the village 
east of the Huron river and the second ward all 
that part west of the river. On April i, 1844, 
one ward set itself off from the village and shortly 
afterward was organized into a village called 
East Ypsilanti. This rupture had been caused 
by a belief on the part of the people of the east 
side that the west side was getting many more 
improvements than the taxes paid on the west 
side warranted, but when the proposition came 
up to incorporate the City of Ypsilanti the people 
of the east side were among its most ardent sup- 
porters. The city was incorporated on February 
4, 1858, and Chauncey Joslyn, afterward Judge 
Joslyn, w-as elected the first mayor of Ypsilanti. 
John McCready was elected city clerk, and Ben- 
jamin Clark treasurer. The first council was 
composed of Aldermen James M. Chidester, Isaac 
Crane, Dr. Parmenio Davis, Philip Edington. 
David Edwards, Philo Ferrier, Benjamin Follett, 
Robert Lambie, Charles Stuck and A. S. Welch. 
Martello Warner was made city marshal, Thomas 
Ninde city attorney, Charles H. Tisdale city au- 
ditor, and Dr. C. F. Ashley health ofificer. The 
first city ordinance passed was to prevent ani- 
mals running at large. The second ordinance 
related to the building of sidewalks, and the 
third was relative to the proper observance of the 
44 



first day of the week, and the fourth was for the 
purpose of taxing dogs. The council quickly re- 
solved that the new city should raise $1,675 i" 
taxes, besides the amount necessary to pay the 
city's share of the township indebtedness. The 
total expenditures for the first year, however, 
were $5,760.63. A new city hall was built near 
the Cross Street bridge, and the land and the 
council house, as it w^as called, cost $1,345.80. 
The city's share of the indebtedness of Ypsilanti 
township was $735.57. The indebtedness of Ypsi- 
lanti village which the city paid was $158.47, 
and the indebtedness of the village of East 
Ypsilanti, which the city also paid, was 
$347.61. The other expenditures of the city 
included $1,376.35 upon the streets, $302.50 for 
salaries, $311.32 for lamp posts and gas, and $128 
for a fire department. 

The first meeting of the council is deserving of 
more than mere passing attention. It was called 
to order by A. H. Ballard, the last village presi- 
dent of Ypsilanti, who summoned the Hon. 
Chauncey Joslyn, mayor-elect, to the chair. After 
a roll call the meeting was opened by prayer by 
the Rev. Mr. Patterson, followed by a stately in- 
augural address by Chauncey Joslyn. The coun- 
cil from its first meeting decided that its meetings 
should be public and agreed to pa}- the Ypsilanti 
Sentinel a dollar a column for the publication of 
its proceedings. 

The records of the city can be examined only 
with difficulty. Many of them have been washed 
out of existence. In the year 1874 some one en- 
tered the office of the city clerk, gathered together 
the council proceedings together with justice 
dockets and other important record books, placed 
them in a bag, and dumped them into the Huron 
river. Here they remained for several weeks be- 
fore being discovered. The water had washed 
the ink from many of the pages and the writing 
on other pages can be but dimly discerned, while 
on still other pages where Arnold's ink had been 
used, the writing was blacker and more distinct 
than ever. It is believed that this act of vandal- 
ism was solely for the purpose of destroying rec- 
ords of convictions in the justice dockets, the 
party doing it not distinguishing between justice 
dockets, which he wished to destroy, and the 



734 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



council proceedings, in which lie had no interest. 

The city charter was revised in 1859, amended 
in 1861, revised a second time in 1863, amended 
in 1867, 1869 and 1879, revised in 1877, and 
amended in 1879, 1881. 1895, 1897. 1899 and 
1 901. 

The first society organized in Ypsilanti was 
known as the Temperance Society of Ypsilanti. 
antl it was organized on the i8th da}- of Decem- 
ber, 1829, by Dr. Hayes, Esquire Darling, E. M. 
Skinner and others. By January 3d thirty-five 
members had enrolled their names and people 
were coming from places three or four miles dis- 
tant to attend the meetings of the society. Since 
that time Ypsilanti has always contained many 
earnest temperance workers, and whenever tem- 
perance revivals are in progress they seem to 
flourish in Ypsilanti. In 1838 the Ypsilanti Vig- 
ilance Committee was org-anized. and at the sec- 
ond meeting, held December 15, 1838, at the 
house of Abel Hawkins, James L. Gillis was made 
president, James M. Edmunds Secretary, and 
M. V. Hall treasurer. The directors or central 
committee were Chauncey Joslyn, Mark Norris, 
Abraham Sage, Marcus Lane, D. C. McKinstry, 
Arden H. Ballard and Walter B. Hewitt. The 
meetings of this society were of the most secret 
character and their methods of work were care- 
fully guarded. But they showed results, for be- 
fore the end of the year 1839 one hundred and 
twelve men had been convicted, $10,000 worth 
of stolen property had been recovered, and a 
number of bad characters had been driven out of 
the community. Three years previous to this an 
old and long unused den of counterfeiters had 
been discovered. The discovery was made by 
Isaac Kimball and Harry Gilbert, who were 
carting away clay for the purpose of grading a 
lot on which Major Gilbert built his fine resi- 
dence. Their spade struck timber and they soon 
found a network of timber covering a cave, de- 
scending into which they found a room eight feet 
high and ten feet square, a furnace, a metal shell 
filled with oil and with partially consumed wick, 
with an exit one hundred feet in length running 
into a ravine and opening into some dense shrub- 
bery. This den was located about twenty rods 
south of Congress street, and the date of its con- 



struction and the personnel of the counterfeiters 
who built it, were never discovered or even 
guessed at. 

In March, 1851, the north side of Congress 
street was swept by fire from Washington street 
to tlic river. The fire destroyed the dwelling 
house, wagon shop, blacksmith shop and stable of 
Joseph Stockdale on Huron street : the engine 
house: the store of R. D. Brower at the corner of 
Washington and Congress streets; the dwelling 
house of C. Millington : the dwelling house, shop, 
warehouse and lumber yard of G. Davis ; Bres- 
ler's fur store ; Worden's tin shop : a building 
belonging to William R. Post ; the stores of W. 
B. Hewitt, C. Millington, .\. Craddock, M. A. 
Parks, J. W. Van Cleave, A. Vorrheis, C. Mill- 
ington's new store, and the grocery of E. Yost. 
The total loss was over twenty-five thousand dol- 
lars. 

As has been seen Ypsilanti witnessed the first 
celebration of the Fourth of July within its bor- 
ders in 1824. There have been many celebra- 
tions of this event since. In 1845 '' ^^''^^ cele- 
brated on a little island between the Congress 
street bridge and the lower paper mills ; and it 
was named on that day, by the Rev. H. P. Powers, 
Independence Isle. J. ]\I. B. Sill delivered the 
oration on this occasion. 

In 1874 a semi-centennial celebration of the 
Fourth of July was held in Ypsilanti and a very 
large concourse of people assembled on this oc- 
casion, the streets of Ypsilanti being crowded all 
day and people from all over the county entering 
into the celebration. The oration of the day was 
delivered by the Hon. Lyman D. Norris, after- 
ward Chief Justice of Michigan. This oration 
traced the histors' of the county. Mr. Norris pro- 
duced the first genuine map of the surveyed part 
of the village, published in 1825 by Orange 
Risdon, who, in his eighty-first year, was present 
at this celebration. "Upon the map," said Mr. 
Norris, "the average village is indicated by four 
lilack dots or fly specks, and Washtenaw is noted 
for four such villages ; for though Dixboro 
has a name as large and as black as the rest, it 
a|)pears not to have reached the dignity of one 
speck. The relative size of these four settlements 
is given in the order following: Ann Arbor, ten 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



735 



specks ; Woodruff's Grove, eight specks : Ypsi- 
lanti, three; and Dexter, two — a fair average for 
Washtenaw as Detroit could not boast of more 
than twenty specks. Benjamin Sutton, the pio- 
neer, covers sections 27 and 28 of Northfield. 
Maps, Hke other works of fallen humanity, are 
not always truthful, for upon this you will dis- 
cern that section 7 of Pittsfield and 12 of Lodi 
are all iron ore. Then sections 2 and 1 1 of Sa- 
line are salt springs ; but well you remember that 
nearly all of us of this enlightened age had some 
of that salt stock and have it yet : though lost to 
sight, to memory dear, gone to rest in the lengthy 
hole that ran down, so science told us, through 
the edge of the saucer-like salt basin of Michi- 
gan. We were also told by the same learned sa- 
vant that more monev and a longer hole would 
somewhere in the bowels of the harmless earth 
reach the great Onondaga salt saucer near the 
middle, where the brine was. * * * Starting 
from the surface of the map, is another promi- 
nent object that will call to the minds of many of 
the pioneers, the events of 1839. It is Prospect 
Hill and the beautiful chain of lakes that, in 1825, 
as now, girdled its base with laughing water. It 
was only a few years later, under the fancy touch 
of Lillibridge, to become the Saratoga of Michi- 
gan. A magnificent city was prospected on paper. 
Parks, fountains and statuary were the least of 
its attractions. On the summit of the lofty hill, 
'like Fame's proud temple, shone afar' the dome 
of an observatory, while the rural homes at its 
base were dominated by the hotels of that period, 
filled with the fashion and beauty, wealth, luxury 
and foil)' which fifteen chartered and fortv-five 
wildcat banks, with a nominal capital of $10,115,- 
000, were warming into life as fast as rags could 
be pulped into paper and groaning presses con- 
vert that paper into steel plate pictures. But Lil- 
libridge's 'soap mine,' as even the folly of that 
period had the wisdom to dub it. did not lather 
well, and but few were shaved ; his renowned 
Tontine Coffee House in Detroit faded out. and 
his magnificent city (lithographed) is a choice 
relic of a past age of unreason. And Prospect 
Hill, overshadowing the little hamlet of Hudson, 
where honest labor in the person of Tom Birkett 
lias built a snug business and a pleasant home, re- 



mains, girdled with its emerald gems of beauty, 
almost as it was fifty years ago." Among other 
things, Mr. Norris gave a good description of the 
railroad which reached Ypsilanti in 1838. "The 
road was built on a continuous wooden stringer 
of sawed timber. This rail was fitted into sawed 
ties held fast in a trapezoidal groove by wooden 
wedges. On top of this continuous stringer was 
spiked the old iron strap rail, when they liad it, 
and when they did not, an inch and a half by three 
inch oak ribbon nailed to a tie did duty in its 
place. The passenger car of that day resembled 
an omnibus placed at right angles to the track, 
and moving sideways on four wheels. The con- 
ductor walked a platform step in front and along 
the end of the omnibus, and collected his fare 
hanging by his arms to the window. 'Snake- 
heads,' or the old strap iron worn and loosened 
from the stringer, occasionally varied the monot- 
ony by curling up their ugly points through the 
floor of the car. The equipment of the road dur- 
ing the first six months after it reached Y'psilanti 
was four locomotives, five passenger and freight 
cars, or square boxes not half the length of the 
present freight car and running upon four wheels 
like any well regulated wagon, in an exceedingly 
jerky and independent way.'' 

Ypsilanti has always been a manufacturing 
town. As we have seen the first mill near Ypsi- 
lanti was built by Major Woodruff in 1824, the 
first grist mill in the county. It was built on a 
water power south of the present city, which had 
a natural fall of eleven feet and which is claimed 
to be the third best power on the Huron river. 
The power of the water at this fall was so great 
that it did not necessitate the construction of a 
dam. The mill was completed in 1825 and con- 
tinued in operation for five years. The first mil- 
ler was a Mr. Stevens. The first milldam was 
l)uill by Harding & Reading out of brush. cla\- 
and logs. It was located where the woolen mill 
now is, and the rude barrier was swept away by 
the flood of 1832. The first saw-mill in what is 
now Ypsilanti was built b\- John Stewart in 1826, 
although some of the pioneers claim that Harding 
& Reading's saw-mill, built in 1827, was the first. 
Harding & Reading sold to Mark Norris and 
Timothy Mclntvre, Mclntvre shortlv afterward 



736 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



selling to Anthony Case and Chester Perry. These 
sold to Arden H. Ballard, who erected a flouring 
mill called the Eagle Flour Mill in 1839 and 
1840. which was destroyed by fire in 1856. Bal- 
lard sold to a Dr. Clark, of Detroit, in 1843 ^"d 
then Clark sold to Thomas O. Hill. In 1850 the 
mill was sold to Mark Norris and Benjamin Fol- 
lett. In 1853 Norris sold out his interest to his 
son, L\nnan D. Norris, and Follett sold his inter- 
est to Chauncey Joslyn. In 1836 Mr. Joslyn be- 
came the sole owner of the Eagle Mills. In Octo- 
ber, 1856, Mr. Joslyn received $16,000 worth of 
wheat at the mills, the delivery of which had long 
been delayed by the Michigan Central. Seven 
thousand dollars' worth of this wheat was lifted 
into the grain room of the mills, and the first night 
after the deliver}' the mills burned up consuming 
all this valuable store of grain. Mr. Joslyn lost 
over $10,000. The second flouring mill was built 
by Harding & Reading in 1828, just below the 
present woolen mills. The building was torn 
down in 1 851. The third flouring mill was built 
in 1829 by W. W. Harwood, just south of Con- 
gress street on the left bank of the Huron, the 
dam being erected by Mark Norris and W. W. 
Harwood. In 1835 the water power passed into 
the possession of John Gilbert, who, in 1839, S'^'^s 
a half interest to his son-in-law, Abel Goddard. 
They soon sold to Alfred D. Hunter. The mill 
then passed into the hands of assignees and was 
run by lessees until 1854, when it was sold to 
Nathan Follett and Alexander Ross. In 1859 
Follett became sole owner, and continued sole 
owner until 1861, when he sold to Isaac N. Conk- 
lin. In 1862 the mill was purchased by Benja- 
min Follett, sold to Nathan Follett in 1865, in 
1873 to the Deubel brothers, and has since con- 
tinued in the possession of the Deubel family. 

As early as 1832 an iron foundry fifty by 
eight}' feet in size was built by Hurd & Sage. In 
1833 this was converted into a plow factory, later 
into a woolen mill, and still later into an iron 
casting shop : and in the '40s it was converted 
by Timothy Showerman into a flouring mill 
known as the Aetna Mills. They utilized part of 
the water power belonging to Norris, and a series 
of suits were commenced, Norris and Joslyn 
finally securing the building and transforming it 



into a sash, door and blind factor}'. Later three 
other departments were added, a planing mill, an 
ax handle factory, and a gypsum mill. In June, 
1858, a flood swept over the east end of the dam 
and carried away the mill and stock, scattering 
the goods along the Huron river and causing a 
loss of $12,000. A new planing mill was built 
by Follett, Conklin, Joslyn & Norris. It was sold 
to Quirk, Dow & Bois, and later to Fulman & 
Scoville, and still later to Scoville. The Ypsi- 
lanti flouring mill was built by Mark Norris in 
1839 and 1840. 

Before 1835 a pail factory had been built upon 
the west bank of the river by Chester Perry, but 
this factory was not a long lived one. Near 
where the Cornwall paper mills were afterward 
located, a saw-mill was erected by Jacob Lazelere, 
in 1830, which was in 1840 converted into 
a woolen-goods factory by John Y. Lazelere 
employing about twenty hands. A dam was 
liuilt in 1847. -'Mter Lazelere's death, the mill 
was allowed to decay and was later slwept away 
by a flood. This dam was the occasion of the 
starting of the first paper mill in Ypsilanti in 
1855, known as the Cornwall Paper Mills, and 
later as the Lower Paper Mills. This pioneer 
paper mill was destroyed by fire in 1871 ; the 
second mill was also destroyed by fire, a short 
time ofter its erection : and in their place there 
was erected a number of Ijrick buildings, one 
sixty-six by one hundred and thirty feet, occu- 
[lied as the machine house ; another fiftv bv one 
hundred and seventy feet as a store and freight 
house ; and a third thirty-six by one hundred and 
twenty feet occupied as an engine house. This 
mill manufactured paper. Cornwall, Son & 
Brothers built the Ypsilanti Paper Company Mills 
in 1874, having a water power with seventeen 
feet head. Cornelius Cornwall, the pioneer paper 
manufacturer of the county, began business when 
twenty-one years of age at Foster's, four years 
later put a grist mill there, and shortly afterward 
his first paper mill. The firm of Cornwall, Son 
& Brothers, in the course of time, erected paper 
mills at Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Geddes, Jackson, 
Foster's, etc., and employed over five hundred 
hands in the manufacture of paper. 

The Peninsular Paper Company of Ypsilanti 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



72,7 



was incorporated in 1867 witli a capital stock of 
fifty thousand dollars, its first officers being: L. 
A. Barnes, president ; I. N. Conklin, vice-presi- 
dent : and J. W. Van Cleve, secretary-treasurer. 
They erected large buildings just outside the old 
city limits of Ypsilanti and manufactured their 
first paper in t868. In 1872 they erected a mill 
on the opposite side of the river from their first 
mill, known as Mill No. 2, for the manufacture of 
super-calendered paper. By 1880 the mills were 
manufacturing fifteen hundred tons of paper a 
year. In 1876 the capital stock was increased to 
one hundred thousand dollars. The nulls are 
still running and are doing a large and profitable 
business. 

A distillery was erected as early as 1826 by 
Captain Norton. Cephas Hawks, William Jarvis 
and Ardcn H. Ballard. This was run until 1849, 
when James N. and Newton Edmuntls retired 
from business, and it was turned into an ashery. 

Crane's tannery was erected in 1861, and was 
at one time the most important industry of the 
city, handling in one year twelve hundred calf 
and five hundred kip skins, and fifteen hundred 
hides. This tannery was one of the numerous 
tanneries that were established in Washtenaw 
about that time, and run with profit, but which 
have long ceased to exist. 

.\t various times in Ypsilanti there have been 
established broom factories, pump factories, brick- 
yards, lime kilns, marble works, bucket factories, 
spoke factories, whip socket factories, gas gov- 
ernor factories, carriage works, sash, door and 
blind factories, machine works, agricultural im- 
plement factories ; and, as a rule, the factories in 
Ypsilanti have been prosperously managed. The 
Curtis Carriage Factor\-, which is still in exist- 
ence, was established in 1868. The Ypsilanti 
Woolen Mills Company's mill and building be- 
low the Mill Street bridge, and its machinery, 
cost over one hundred thousand dollars. Batch- 
elder & Company's monument and marble works 
were established as early as 1850. Jacob Grob's 
brewery was established in 1861. The Grove 
Brewery was established in i86q by Taufkirth 
& Trockenbnid and was run in a small wav mitil 
purchased by the Foerstcrs, since which it has 
done a large business. The Swayne Malt House 



was built in 1872, succeeding the small malt 
house of L. C. \Vellington located in a building 
which had originally been a schoolhouse. 

The Ypsilanti Gas Works were built in 1858. 
In 1902 they were purchased by the Ann Arbor 
Gas Company, the price of gas being reduced to 
a dollar a thousand and the service improved. 

Probably the oldest store in Ypsilanti is King's 
Grocery started by George R. King & Son in 
1837. George R. King died in 1849, ''•''d '^is son 
Charles King carried on the business until his 
death, September 11, 1891, and he was succeeded 
by his son Charles who. still conducts the business. 

B.\NKS. 

The Bank of Y psilanti. This bank was organ- 
ized March 28, 1836, with Timothy Treadwell as 
president and David Ballentine as cashier, the 
capital stock being one hundred thousand dollars, 
of which ten per cent was paid in cash and the 
balance when the directors called for it. Thev 
issued wildcat currency and their credit was such 
that their notes were circulated freely long after 
the majority of the wildcat banks had been driven 
out of existence. Benjamin Follett was made 
cashier in IMay, 1837, ^""^1 the bank was of great 
help to the young business men of the village. 
Later the stock changed hands and the bank was 
run with less conservatism, and the attorney- 
.general was finally obliged to wind up its busi- 
ness. 

The Huron River Bank. This bank was organ- 
ized under the wildcat lianking law in 1838 with 
Arden H. Ballard as president and Myron V. 
Hall as cashier, securing its flood of notes of issue 
by mortgages on real estate supposed to be mort- 
gaged for one half of its value. As a specimen 
of the operation of the wildcat banking laws it 
may be stated that the French claim of six hun- 
dred and thirty acres was estimated to be worth 
sixty-five thousand dollars, but the land was 
afterward sold for ten dollars an acre. The bank 
failed after operating for eighteen months and 
the creditors of the bank were unable to realize 
anything upon its assets as the title to the French 
claim, No. 681, was not in the person who mort- 
gaged it. 



738 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



TIic Bank of Superior. This bank was located 
at what was then called Lowell, near where the 
Ypsilanti Paper Mills were afterward built. John 
\'an Fossen was president and James M. Ed- 
munds cashier. It did not succeed in getting 
much wildcat currency into circulation, the total 
amount which it put into circulation being be- 
lieved to have been about $300. and this amount 
was stolen. 

With these three banks, wildcat banking in 
Ypsilanti ceased. In 1852 Benjamin FoUett, 
Isakc Conklin and Samuel Y. Denton organized 
a bank under the name of Follett, Conklin & 
Company, and opened an office near the Ypsi- 
lanti depot. In 1856 they moved to the building 
afterward occupied by the First National Bank, 
and continued in business until 1862, when the 
firm was dissolved. They were succeeded in 1862 
by a firm organized by Benjamin Follett and R. 
\\\ Hemphill, under the title of Benjamin Follett 
& Company, which continued to transact a bank- 
ing business until 1865. when it was succeeded 
by Cornwall, Hemphill & Company. The bank- 
ing firm of E. & F. P. Bogardus was organized 
in i860 and continued in business until 1867, 
when it was consolidated with the First National 
Bank. 

The First A'atioiia! Bank. This bank was or- 
ganized Januar\- 4, 1864, by Benjamin Follett, 
Isaac N. Conklin, Asa Dow, D. L. Quirk and 
Cornelius Cornwall. It has always been one of 
the foremost banking institutions of Ypsilanti, 
and D. L. Quirk has presided as its president 
for a great many years. Charles E. King is vice 
president, Daniel L. Quirk, Jr., cashier and Fred 
L. Gallup, assistant ca.shier. Its capital stock is 
seventy-five thousand dollars and surplus sevent\- 
five thou.sand dollars. 

The Ypsilanti Sazings Bank. This bank was 
organized May 15, 1887. Its first directors were 
Don C. Batchelder, R. W. Hemphill, S. M. Cutch- 
eon, Henry P. Glover and Stephen Moore. Don C. 
Batchelder was elected president, S. M. Cutch- 
eon, vice president, and R. M. Hemphill, cashier. 
A fine three story bank building, brick with stone 
trimmings, was erected on the corner of Con- 
gress and Huron streets at a cost of about twentv 
thousand dollars. The present officers of the 



bank are .Augustus Beyer, president ; Henry P. 
Glover, vice president, and Robert W. Hemphill, 
cashier. The capital stock is fifty thousand dollars. 

HOTELS. 

Hotels were numerous in the early history of 
Ypsilanti and most of them were log houses. The 
first pretentious hotel was erected by Major 
Woodruiif in 1825 and opened by Mr. IMcKinstrey 
in 1826. It was afterward the residence of Judge 
Whitmore and called the Whitmore House, and 
was situated on the west bank of the Huron near 
the Congress Street bridge. 

The Perry House was built in 1827 Ijy Chester 
Perry on the southeast comer of Con.gress and 
Huron streets. Mr. Perry had come from New 
York with the express intention of building a 
hotel at Ypsilanti and brought with him a large 
cpiantity of hotel furniture, window glass and 
sa.shes,and also man}' other articles which it might 
be difficult to obtain in a new country. He was ac- 
companied by a carpenter named Salmon Cham- 
pion. The goods were brought to Ypsilanti from 
Detroit in a flat boat as far as Rawsonville, from 
which point they were brought to Ypsilanti in 
wagons. In i860 this hotel was bought by \. P. 
r.ucklin and run as a first class house until 1867. 
In t868 the building was burned. 

The Lnlby House, two miles east of Ypsilanti, 
was erected by Z. Bowen in 1828 and at one time 
was the most pretentious tavern between Ypsi- 
lanti and Detroit. It was afterward conducted by 
William Colby, and purchased from him by E. D. 
I^y, and finally sold to a Mr. Wiard. 

The Stackhouse was completed in 1830 by a 
Mr. Stackhouse on the north side of Congress 
street, a short distance east of the bridge, and in 
this house Dr. Andrews, George King, .Abraham 
Sage and .\ndrew Brown successively presided 
as landlords. 

The Hawkins House is the successor of a hotel 
known as Tolland's Trading House, built by a 
Mr. Tolland, a son-in-law of John Stewart, in 
1827. It was on the southwest corner of Con- 
gress and Washington streets, and in it Tolland 
conducted a small trading store, selling out to a 
Mr. Foster, who converted it into a hotel and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



739 



soon added a two story frame addition, which 
from 1830 was the hotel of Ypsilaiiti. Landlord 
Coy succeeded Foster, and he sold to Dr. Mil- 
lin,c;ton. Abiel Hawkins purchased from Milling- 
ton in 1834. The next year he built an addition 
on the west side, an<l subsequently a large front 
to the hotel, so that by 1848 he had the ground on 
which Union Block is located covered with the 
hotel. In 1846 he deeded this property to his son, 
Walter H. Hawkins, who continued in the hotel 
business until 1879, when he sold the land and 
moved the main structure of the hotel further 
west as the rear of a new building wliich he 
erected and opened as a hotel September 24, 
1879, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. 
Since this time the hotel has passed through the 
hands of several proprietors, but still retains the 
name of Hawkins House. 

The Western Hotel was luiilt in 1838 by Mark 
Norris and opened in 1839 by Abiel Hawkins and 
Abraham Sage. The building was of brick with 
stone facings. It was finally torn down to make 
way for an extension of the Michigan Central 
Railroad. 

The FoUett House was built in 1859 b\- a stock 
company, Benjamin Follett being the principal 
stockholder. He afterward purchased the entire 
interest in the building. It was opened as a hotel 
by John Davis on July 4. 1859. In a few months 
.^biel Hawkins became landlord, and he was suc- 
ceeded by John },]. Cutler, .\aron H. Goodrich. 
A. N. Tisdale. .M. Cutler and Janits L. Stone. 

The Occidental Hotel has had a varied career. 
It is a large hotel and under some managements 
has been a high class hotel. 

The Ypsilanti Opera House was bviilt in 1879, 
and formall}- opened in January. 1880, by a 
stock company, Messrs. liogardus, Curtis and 
Quirk taking the lead in the movement for an 
opera house. 

CEMETEKIES. 

The Indians had a great burial ground on the 
west bank of the Huron, extending from Cather- 
ine street to a line drawn east from Pearl street. 
A series of conical hills here covered the surface 
and innumerable relics of the Indian age have 
been dug uj). including stone hatchets, iron 



brooches, arrows, knives, skulls and skeletons. 
This burial ground was afterward covered with 
business blocks. It was supposed to have been 
the burial ground of the Wyandottes. 

The first cemetery was deeded to the village in 
1830 by Judge I^zelere, and about two hundred 
and fiftv people were buried in it. It was un- 
fenced until 1847. 

The second cemetery was at the eastern end of 
Ellis street, and with additions covered nine acres, 
and over a thousand [leople were interred in it. 

Highland Cemetery was laid out by Colonel 
Glenn, of Xiles, who was employed as architect, 
and was dedicated July 14, 1854, the oration being 
delivered by Professor .A. S. Welch. The first 
burial was the body of Elias Norton, which was 
buried a dav before the dedication. The grounds 
included forty acres and a handsome large gate 
was erected in 1880 at a cost of twenty-five hun- 
dred dollars. 

.sciioor.s. 

The first school near Ypsilanti was opened by 
Miss Hope Johnson in 1826 at Woodruff's Grove. 
The same vear the first school in Ypsilanti was 
opened bv Miss Olive Gordon, and was situated 
on the bank of the river where the sanitarium 
afterwards stood. Miss Gordon was married 
that same year to Lyman Groves, and moved 
with her husband to his fanu three miles south 
of Ypsilanti, where she lived until her death, Oc- 
tober 29. 1886, at the age of eighty-three. She 
was the daughter of Job and Sarah E. Gordon, 
anfl with her father's family crossed Lake Erie 
in 1825 in the "Red Jacket." being transferred 
to a barge which was poled up the Huron river 
as far as Woodruff's Grove. .She had been 
teaching school in New York from the time that 
she was fifteen years old, and shortly after her 
arrival opened the first school in Ypsilanti. In 
the summer of 1828 ?iliss Miriam Brooks, who 
afterward married the Rev. .Mr. I'^razer, opened 
a school and in the winter of 1828-9 Mrs. ]\Iark 
Norris opened a select school in her house. In 
the summer of 1829 C. Hovey started a school 
which he ran for a year. In 1830 Miss Ruby 
Cannon, afterward Mrs. Freeman, opened a girls' 
school in .\lr. Howard's house. In 1830 a brick 



740 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



schoolhouse was built by W. W. Harwood on 
tlie east side of the river, back of the present 
Woodruff school, which was first used for school 
purposes in 1831, Miss Laura Vail, afterward 
Mrs. Blacknian, being- the first teacher. In 
the summer of 183 1 Grove Spencer taught an 
evening school in the office of E. M. Skinner and 
the next year moved into the old red schoolhouse 
which had been built on the south side of the 
west public square by Mr. Champion in 1832. 
In 1833 Miss Emily Wead, aftcrwartl Mrs. Sal- 
mon Champion, taught on the east side. In Sep- 
tember, 1834, Miss Ruth Parker, who afterward 
married Mr. Worlhing-ton, opened a young la- 
dies' select school in a room over Mr. Vander- 
bilt's cabinet shop. She was succeeded as teacher 
the next year by Miss Granger, who married Dr. 
.Smith, of Toledo. She, in turn, was succeeded 
by Miss Clark, who married Mr. Murdock and 
died in New Orleans in 1842. Miss i\manda G. 
Nichols, afterward Mrs. Puck, taught on the east 
side in 1834, and in 1836 and for several years 
thereafter Dennis Hammond taught on the east 
side. Chauncey Joslyn taught in the White school- 
house on the west side in 1837. This was the first 
district schoolhouse. 

From 1836 until 1840 a numl)er of private 
schools were started up and after a brief period 
died away, but in 1840 a school started which 
gave more promise of success than the previous 
ones. Its proprietor and principal was Francis 
Griffin from New England, who opened his school 
at first in the Presbyterian church and afterward 
moved into wdiat was called "The Nunnery." The 
starting of this school made it easy for Mr. Lan- 
dreth to organize a classical school, and Charles 
WoodruiT, the veteran teacher, became an assist- 
ant in the school, teaching the higher classical 
liranches. In 1844 Mr. Landreth moved to De- 
troit and Charles Woodruff opened an academical 
-school. The history of this school, which became 
incorporated as the Ypsilanti Seminary, is well 
told by the Rev. G. L. Foster in a pamphlet is- 
sued in 1857, who, after describing the opening 
of the academical school by Mr. Woodruff, adds : 

■'.'\t this time there stood far out of the village, 
north, a large brick edifice, which in the days of 
speculation was intended for a hotel, to be at the 



junction of the Tecumseh and Michigan Central 
Railroads. It was termed one of the 'three follies 
of the town' — the 'Nunnery' being another, and 
the frame of which Mr. Ross's house is but the 
kitchen, being another. This brick would-be ho- 
tel was thought to be of doubtful ownership for 
a time, as many things in Michigan were after the 
crash of 1836. At length it fell into the hands 
of the Detroit Land Company, and was then cared 
for by Charles W. Lane. Put what to do with it 
seemed to be an unsettled question. Mr. Wood- 
rufT had often urged upon the friends of educa- 
tion here, the importance of securing that build- 
ing for educational purposes ; but as his sugges- 
tions were not readily seconded, he determined 
to carry out his cherished purpose alone. So he 
rented it for several terms, making it one special 
object of his school to improve district school 
teachers, as is evident from his advertisement — 
and ]ierhaps I ought to say that then Ypsilanti 
began to be known as the Normal School town of 
Michigan; at any rate, as the place to which to 
look for the best of teachers. This 'Academical 
School' was so prosperous, that some looking on 
had thoughts of making it greater, and more dis- 
tinguished than it now was. 

"So, much to the sur])rise of Mr. Woodruff, 
friim whom the matter had been kept a secret. 
Rev. H. L. Moore purchased the building, issued 
his hand-bills, and opened a school which became 
incorjiorated in 1845 ^^ the 'Ypsilanti Seminary.' 
This seminary continued to be under Mr. Moore's 
supervision until 1848. w'hen the building was 
purchased by School District No. 4. Among the 
teachers employed by Mr. Moore, the following 
will be well reniembered : Prof. W. L. Eaton, 
Nathaniel West, Jr., L. F. Covel, Edward Fen- 
ney, James Duncan, Miss Gray, Miss M. B. F. 
Prown, Miss Louisa Brown, Miss Delia Brown, 
George P. Tindle and Mr. Howell. 

".Soon after the Seminary came into the hands 
of the district board, Rev. M. S. Hawley was in- 
vited to become principal. He was assisted more 
or less for a number of years by Miss Rogers, 
Mr. E. J. Mills, Miss Clapp, Miss Comstock. 
Miss Powers, Prof. O. A. Jackson, Miss Norris, 
Miss Clayton, Miss Loomis, Miss Morton, Miss 
Rice, etc. Of the success of the school after it 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



741 



was taken by the district, I can give you a good 
idea by quoting a part of a letter sent to the Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction, bearing date 
April 30, 1852 : 

" 'This school was organized in October, 1849, 
under a special act of legislation, authorizing the 
directors to adopt any system which would not 
conflict with the General School Law. It was a 
bold and in many respects an unprecedented ex- 
periment, undertaken by our district alone, and 
involving an amount of pecimiary responsibility 
which nothing but zeal in the cause of education 
could have induced its projectors to assume, and 
which nothing but great faith in the feasibility of 
their enterprise could have justified them in as- 
suming. 

" 'In October, 185 1, two years from the time 
the school was organized, a second district united 
with the first, and since then it has been sus- 
tained by the united efiforts of the two districts ; 
still leaving two others in our village which have 
not seen fit to unite with us. (These united in 
1857.) While under the control of a single dis- 
trict, it was known as a model school : but soon 
after the union of the two, there then being no 
school in this part of the country which afforded 
advantages superior to the common school, it was 
deemed advisable to extend the course of instruc- 
tion, not only that our own children might re- 
ceive a thorough and practical education at home 
imder the parents' immediate attention, but also 
as an inducement for pupils from abroad to be- 
come connected with the institution. In this re- 
spect, it is believed, we have gone beyond most 
institutions in this and other states. 

"'In a large majority of the union schools in 
the State of New York, the course of instruction 
is limited to that of the common district school, 
while but few give the advantages of a classic, 
or even an extended English course. Owing to 
this deficiency, they are in many instances com- 
pelled to support, as separate schools, both an 
.'\cademy and a Union school. We have aimed 
to unite both of these in one ; and how far we 
have succeeded, the present condition of the school 
will show. Froiu its character, the privileges it 
afforded, and the large and comprehensive course 
of study then adopted, it insensibly, and by a kind 
of common consent, became known as "Union 



Seminary," which name it has since borne, with- 
out, it is believed, giving offense to other semi- 
naries, or bringing discredit upon the name. If 
it is the first institution of the kind that has as- 
sumed this well-merited distinction, it is to be 
hoped that it will not be the last ; for surely such 
schools, taking the rank and doing the labor of 
seminaries in our populous and enterprising vil- 
lages, are the hope of the state, not only as seats 
of academical learning, but as preparatory schools 
for our University. There are now in the Uni- 
versity at Ann Arbor a number of students from 
this school, several of whom entered one year in 
advance. 

" 'Our school year is divided into two terms, of 
twenty-two weeks each ; and each term into two 
quarters, of eleven weeks. At the close of each 
term, there is a thorough examination ; and at the 
close of the third quarter there is an exhibition 
also. What public spirit has done in Ypsilanti, 
it will do elsewhere ; and if others see anything 
commendable in our example, we trust it will be 
speedily followed in other places, and the ad- 
vantages of a liberal and thorough English and 
classical education be placed within the reach of 
numbers by whom it cannot now be obtained.' 
( C. Joslyn, Secretary District P>oard. ) 

".Since the date of this extract, the Seminary 
has continued its work even more prosperously 
than before. The teachers have been adapted to 
give it efficiency and notoriety, so that it never 
has been so prosperous as during the past year. 

"In April, 1853, the Board secured the services 
of Rev. Joseph Estabrook as principal, and asso- 
ciated Miss H. N. Cutcheon with him in the con- 
trol of the school. These, with their helpers, 
have been succesful in securing good order and 
progress in study. The names of under-teachers 
have been : Charles Bowen. James Gilluli, W. W. 
I'^oster, Datus Brooks, S.M. Cutcheon, Eliza Shier, 
Mrs. ]\rary Halbert, Miss Emma Fairchild, Miss 
Lucy -\. Post, Miss E. H. Green, Eliza Ham- 
mond, Laura L. Murray, Sabra Murray, Harriet 
Culver, Frances Stocking, Sarah E. Warner, A. 
C.Timpson, Louisa Waldron, Betsey Fisher. Clar- 
issa Fairchild, Malvina Jenney, A. J. Kishlar, 
Emma Champion, Fidelia Phillips and Miss Car- 
penter. 



"On .Sund; 



IV mornuu 



March jgth, the Semi- 



74^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



nan- building was found to be on fire. In spite 
of the vigorous efforts of the citizens, it soon lay 
in ruins. Hundreds of sad hearts were there ; 
but the enterprise of this people was equal to the 
emergency. Places were soon found for the con- 
tinuance of the school. The entire village became 
consolidated into one district, which said : 'Let us 
now build such a house as we need.' So there is 
now raising, 'Phoenix-like,' an edifice which is to 
be second to none in the state for the purpose for 
which it is erected. This edifice consists of a 
main building, forty-five feet and four inches, by 
ninety-four feet and four inches deep, with a 
wing at each end, thirty-seven feet and four 
inches, recessed back thirteen feet from the front. 
The entire frontage is one hundred and twenty 
feet and eight inches. There is a basement nine 
feet deep. The first story is twenty feet in height, 
and the second and third stories are fifteen feet 
each. The style of the building is Roman, with 
Italian bracketed cornice. The outside elevations 
are all of one height, and have a bold projection, 
supported from the frieze by heavy carved brack- 
ets. The doors and windows have large molded 
caps, and the roof is mounted with three large 
cupolas. Jordan and Anderson were the archi- 
tects ; Mitchell and McDuff were the contract- 
ors. 

The new building was formally dedicated Au- 
gust 17, 1858, and continued in use imtil De- 
cember 9, 1877, when it was destroyed by fire. 
Immediately the citizens determined to raise an 
even better building than the one burned, and a 
new central school building was opened in 1879 
with Professor R. W. Putnam superintendent of 
schools. This building, in turn, was burned Mav 
3, 1894, shortly after one o'clock in the afternoon, 
the fire starting after the school children were all 
in the building. Happily the teachers managed 
to get them all from the building without injury. 
The Ypsilanti fire department, finding that they 
would be unable to cope with the flames, tele- 
phoned to Ann Arbor for assistance, and the Ann 
Arljor company made a record run to Ypsilanti 
with their engine in thirty-eight minutes, each of 
the fire horses losing about thirty pounds in 
weight during the trip, but the fire was then be- 
A'ond control. The loss was fortv-five thousand 



dollars and the insurance twenty-six thousand. 
Nothing daunted with having lost three higli 
schools b\' fire, a new and still better building 
was immediately erected by the school district. 
There are three handsome school buildings in 
Ypsilanti for the grades, the Woodruff school, 
the Prospect School and the Adams school. 

CHURCHES. 

The Bojttist Cliiirch. The Baptist church did 
not commence its existence as many other 
churches of that denomination in Washtenaw 
county. It was about the fiftieth in the territory, 
and the twentieth in the "River Raisin Associa- 
tion," with which it was at first connected. It 
was organized in October, 1836, by Elder J. S. 
Twiss, then residing at Ann .\rbor, a man well 
remembered for his eccentric faithfulness. Pre- 
vious to this time, there had been Baptist preach- 
ing occasionally by such pioneers as Boothe, Pow- 
ell and Loomis. At its organization the church 
consisted of the following members : .Abraham 
Clawson, Eleanor Clawson, Matthias Lyon, W. E. 
Stille, Talmon Brown, George Guthrie, Mrs. 
Guthrie, Phoebe Guthrie, Melinda Lay, Sily Lay, 
Hannah Crossitt, Phoebe Hiscocks, Mary Sabin, 
John Conant and Charlotte Stewart. W. E. 
.Stille was chosen clerk, and Abraham Clawson 
and Matthias Lyon were elected deacons. Elder 
John Goff was chosen their first pastor, and he 
remained with the church for two years. After 
Mr. (ioft', Samuel Jones became the minister in 
1838, and remained but little more than a year. 
About this time there arose a division in the church 
because of doctrinal differences in opinion. How- 
ever, a revival of religion, in which the pastor was 
assisted b\- elders ^^^eaver and Simmons, helped 
to bring the members of the church together 
again. After Mr. Jones came Elder J. Keyes, 
who remained but a year. During his residence 
there occurred a revival which is described as 
follows by Elder Robert Powell : 

"On the T2th of July, 1839, as I was riding on 
an agency for the State Convention, I was per- 
suaded by the unanimous request of the Baptist, 
■the Methodist and several efficient members of 
the Presbyterian church, to suspend my agency 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



743 



and conduct a series of meetings on union prin- 
ciples. I continued with them fourteen or fif- 
teen days, until my health failed. A good work 
was enjoyed. Our meetings were held in a small 
brick meeting house on the east side of the river ; 
everything proceeded with the utmost harmony. 
Ten were added, by baptism, to the little Baptist 
church, and a much larger number to both the 
Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Many said 
in my hearing, that Ypsilanti had never enjoyed 
such a time before.'' 

After this the church was for a time without 
preaching, except occasionally. A want of agree- 
ment as to what kind of ministerial characteristics 
they desired to employ, and their pecuniary ina- 
bility, led many to be well-nigh discouraged. But 
in the spring of 1843 there came to be a good 
degree of unity in calling Elder L. H. Moore to 
become their pastor. The result showed that this 
choice was well ordered. The society, which had 
previously worshiped in the schoolhouse on the 
east side of the river, now purchased the old brick 
church of the Methodists, and so repaired it as to 
worship there three or four years. In June, 1846, 
an attempt was made to raise funds for the erection 
of a new church. The efifort was successful : and 
a contract for building was taken by Deacon I. N. 
Field. During the early part of 1847, the congre- 
gation worshiped in the chapel of the Seminary. 
which was then owned by Elder Moore. On the 
17th of June, in that year, a new church was dedi- 
cated. Sermons were preached by Elders Piper 
and Ten Brook, and an interest was added to the 
occasion by the presence of some returned mis- 
sionaries. In October of that year, the ".State 
Association" met with the church. Elder Moore 
left in the summer of 1849 and on the night of the 
23d of December the church edifice was con- 
sumed by fire. The work of rebuilding soon 
commenced and on September 4. 1850, a new 
church building was dedicated. A few weeks 
previous to the burning of the church building. 
Elder S. A. Taft had commenced to preach to the 
congregation, coming over from the Universitv 
at Ann .\rbor to do so. and continued these serv- 
ices for about two years. In October, 1851, El- 
der E. Curtiss became pastor. During his pas- 
torate a revival was held at which Elder Edwards, 



evangelist, assisted, .\fter Mr. Curtiss, Elder 
Taft came for a second time, and remained an- 
other two years. Then came Elder W. P. Patti- 
son in October, 1855. R^^- Charles E. Hewitt 
succeeded him in 1863, to be succeeded by Rev. 
N. B. Randall in i86g, who was succeeded by 
Rev. J. S. Boyden in 1872. Rev. J. H. Scott 
came in 1880, Rev. J. Sunderland in 1882, Rev. 
L. M. Woodruff, D." D., in 1885 and Rev. J. L. 
Cheney in 1886. Rev. R. W. Van Kirk and Rev. 
James A. Brown followed Rev. Mr. Cheney. The 
present pastor is Rev. Almon J. Hutchins. 

The number of communicants in 1857 was one 
hundred and fifty-two. The church built in 1850 
was enlarged in 1865. In 1874 a new church 
was erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. 

The Methodist Church. As early as the year 
1825, Woodruff's Grove was one of the preach- 
ing places of Rev. Elias Pattee. Here he is said 
to have formed a class of five members — which 
was the first religious society in Washtenaw 
countv. The region about Ypsilanti at that time 
was under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Confer- 
ence and Woodruff's Grove was upon what was 
termed "Huron Circuit," which extended from 
Detroit west to Jacksonburg (Jackson now) and 
beyond. This circuit was narrowed down and 
named .\nn Arbor Circuit in 1830; and then- 
again narrowed and named Ypsilanti Circuit in 
1832. In 1837 Ypsilanti became a station on the 
circuit. Soon after Mr. Pattee came the Rev. 
John A. Baughman in the autumn of 1826, whose 
thundering voice so echoed through the forests 
that he was termed "John the Methodist crying 
in the wilderness." He formed a class of which 
Asa Rice and others were members. Eleazer 
Smith was its first leader. Mr. Baughman gen- 
erally preached at the house of Isaac Powers, 
Ypsilanti's first postmaster, who, though not a 
Christian, was a man of public spirit and some 
generous impulses. .Vfter Mr. Baughman came 
Cooper, Gurley, Sayer, Elliott and others : and 
after Ypsilanti became a station the ministers 
were Wesley J. Wells, J. H. Pitsell. Oscar North, 
Elijah Crane, Mr. Champion. Elliott Crippen, 
George Taylor, W. F. Cowles, T. H. Jacokes, 
Seth Reed,' W. G. Stonix, F. A. Blades, J. S. 
Smart, R. R. Richards, Benjamin F. Crocker, 



744 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Seth Reed. M. Hickey. Thomas C. Ganlner. 
Thomas Stalker. James ^[. Fuller, O. J. Perrine, 
and W. W. Washburn. This completes the list 
down to 1 860, since which date many able clergy- 
men have filled this pulpit. The present pastor is 
Rev. Eugene C. Allen. 

The first regular place of vit)rship for the 
Methodist congregation was the brick school- 
house on the east side of the river which was 
built in 1829, and used to stand in the midst of a 
beautiful grove, which was much enjoyed by the 
congregations in summer when they were too 
large for the occupancy of the house. In 1831 
the foundations were laid for a brick church. The 
walls were put up and the roof on. but from finan- 
cial inability the work was so delayed that the 
house was not occupied until 1835. In 1832 
this congregation had a society regularly orgian- 
ized according to statute. About this time that 
edifice was entered, many who had previoush- 
worshiped with the society withdrew, because 
other societies were springing up for which they 
had a preference. For this reason the congrega- 
tion did not flourish for a number of years. In 
March, 1848, in a season of revival when the 
church was densely packed, the floor g-avc wav, 
but only a few were injured and none fatallv. 
Rev. W. P. Judd was preaching at the time and 
meetings were continued for some davs and even- 
ings in succession, at first in the Presbyterian 
church and afterward in the loft of a storehouse 
owned by Mark Norris. The society for most of 
the summer following worshiped in the chapel 
of the Seminary. Dr. T. M. Town proposed to 
build such a house as would meet the needs of 
the congregation provided the society would pay 
for it, as they might be able, out of pew rents and 
purchases. .\ new building was then commenced 
in March, 1843, ancl completed in September of 
the same year. A fine parsonage was purchased 
in 1853. The number of communicants in 1857 
was three hundred and si.xteen. 

In 1859 the church building was enlarged and 
in 1871 a brick parsonage was built at a cost of 
$5,000. In May. 1875, a celebration lasting two 
days in honor of the semi-centennial anniversar\- 
of the founding of the church, and was attended 
by a large number of clerg\men. .Since then the 



present very large and handsome church struc- 
ture has been erected. 

67. Luke's Episco[^al Church. .\s early as 
1828 a Mr. Cornish assembled a few on Sundays 
and read the service of the Episcopal church, 
sometimes delivering a sermon. In the same 
year Rev. Wr. Corey, of Detroit, came out and 
preached occasionally and after him Rev. Richard 
Berry came a few times. In 1830 while the terri- 
tory was yet under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction 
of Bishop Mcllvane, of Ohio, the Rev. Silas C. 
Freeman came here as a missionary. He organ- 
ized a church of about ten members and named it 
St. James. Then came Rev. Charles Reighly, 
under whose ministry an Episcopal Society was 
formed and the name of the church changed from 
St. James to St. Luke. .-V new church edifice 
was built, and consecrated July 3, 1838, though 
the spire and the pews were not finished until 
1842. After serving the .society about two years 
Mr. Reighly resigned and went south where he 
subsequently became president of Columbia Col- 
lege in Mississippi. Next came Rev. H. P. Pow- 
ers in June, 1840. The church was still very 
small, having but fifteen communicants and the 
society was weak and embarrassed. The duties 
of a rector were arduous, involving, as was not 
uncommon in those days, the responsibilities also 
of sexton, collector and warden. After a pastor- 
ate of more than six years, Mr. Powers resigned 
in TS46. .\fter lieing supplied occasionally by 
neighboring ministers the society succeeded in 
securing the services of Rev. John .\. Wilson. 
.Mr. Wilson commenced his labors in ]\\\\\ 1847, 
coming down from Ann Arbor and returning 
generally on foot, for the first season. .\t a 
meeting of the vestry in March. 1856. it was re- 
soh-ed to enlarge and improve the then existing 
church edifice, but this proposition ended up in 
the erection of a new building on the location of 
the old chiuTli : and this new building was con- 
secrated June 28. 1857. The architects were 
Jordan and Anderson, of Detroit, and the contract- 
ors were Pattee, Griflin, Curtiss, Boyd and Fos- 
ter. The size of this church, which is the present 
structure, is ninetv-three bv forty-five feet, and 
the spire is one hundred and twenty-eight feet 
high. Its cost, furnished, was fifteen thousand 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



745 



dollars. The number of coniniunicants in 1857 
was 80. The officers of the church at the time the 
new building was being erected were : Rev. John 
A. Wilson, rector; Benjamin FoUett and George 
Hill, wardens; Benjamin Follett, H. G. Sheldon, 
C. King, F. N. Clark. J. M. B. Sill, C. Joslyn, 
Geo. Hill, M. A. Parks, M. Cook and J. W. Van 
Cleve, vestrymen. In 1872 Rev. John Wilson 
celebrated the 25th anniversary of his pastorate, 
during which period he had delivered 2,600 ser- 
mons, 900 lectures and confirmed 256 people ; and 
the total amount of money raised during that pe- 
riod, for all purposes, had been $53,345.57, of 
ftdiich $10, 245.57 was for missions and churches. 
Dr. Wilson remained rector until the '80s, 
when Rev. Thomas McLean became rector. He 
was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Woodrufif, Rev. 
Montgomery M. Goodwin and Rev. William 
Gardam, who became rector in 1895 and still has 
charge of the parish. 

The Presbyterian Church. Rev. Geo. L. Fos- 
ter gave the history of the Presbyterian church 
in the last sermon delivered in the old Presby- 
terian church edifice on September 20, 1857. as 
follows : 

"In searching out the history of the Presby- 
terian church, we find that Rev. Noah M. Wells, 
of Detroit, came out and preached here a few 
times in 1827-8. By this time a few had come 
into this vicinity who had previously been at- 
tached to Presbyterian and Congregational 
churches. These sometimes met for praver and 
the reading of sermons, E. M. Skinner being the 
reader. In Julv, 1829, Rev. William Page, of 
Ann /\rbor, organized a church consisting of the 
following persons : Clement Loveder, Ruth Love- 
der, George McDougal, Mary McDougal, Daniel 
Russell, Cornelia Russell, James Fleming, Martha 
Fleming, Mrs. Mary McNath, Miss Roxanna Mc- 
Nath, Mrs. Sarah Whitmore and Joseph Brown 
— twelve in all. Previous to the ne.xt communion, 
Mrs. Polly Carr, Miss Hannah Carr, Miss Nancy 
Carr and Orin Derby were atldcd. The latter 
was chosen clerk though I have been unable to 
find anything of his recording. This organization 
took place in the front room of the Grant building 
oil the corner of Congress and Washington 
streets. They seem to have been definitely Pres- 



byterian ; at its beginning it was called Presbyte- 
rian but had no elders until about three years 
after its organization. Its business and discipline 
were conducted congregationally and from this 
fact, probably, the society connected with it came 
to be called the First Congregational Society of 
Ypsilanti. Mr. Page came and preached to this 
little band a number of times — chiefly in a school- 
room about where Mr. Sampson's store now 
stands. 

"In October, 1829. Rev. William Jones came 
as a missionary and commenced to labor zealously 
in promoting a temperance reformation as well as 
in preaching the gospel. A room was fitted up, 
belonging to John Bryan, and now occupied by 
Mrs. Davis, where he preached during the fol- 
lowing winter. He also preached statedly at Dix- 
boro, Alullett's Creek and Stony Creek, traveling 
on foot. In the spring of 1830 he held a pro- 
tracted meeting at Mullett's Creek in the log 
house of Deacon Ezra Carpenter, a man eminent 
for faith and good works. Some ^-et living here 
walked to 'Carpenter's Corners,' evening after 
evening, to attend those meetings, and some were 
not as much benefited as they ought to have been ; 
but about thirty persons were hopefully con- 
verted, most of whom united with the Presby- 
terian church on the last Sabbath of May. the dav 
which closed Mr. Jones' labors here. Bv the 
solicitation of the Home Missionary Society he 
went further into the territory, organizing 
churches at White Pigeon, Niles, Prairie Round, 
Kalamazoo. Otsego, Allegan, Battle Creek and 
Paw Paw. At that time there were but six Pres- 
byterian ministers in Michigan. The Presbytery 
of Detroit covered the whole territory and the 
indefinite northwest beyond. Mr. Jones' first 
sermon here is said to have been from the text: 
'Fear not, little fiock, it is your Father's good 
pleasure to give you the kingdom.' And his last 
one, as expressive of his opinion of providential 
teachings, was from the words : 'Up, get ye out 
of this place, for the Lord will destroy it.' Soon 
after Mr. Jones left. Rev. Ira M. w'ead, then a 
young man in the bloom of health, having just 
finished his theological studies, came to emplov 
the strength of his best days in helping to fulfill 
here the promise, that 'the wilderness and the soli- 



746 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



tary place shall be g'lad, and the desert shall re- 
joice and Ijlossoni as the rose.' He commenced 
his labors the first Sabbath of July, 1830, taking 
for the text of his sermon : 'Behold, I have 
graven thee upon the palms of my hands. Thy 
walls are continually before me.' .\t this time, 
the congregation commenced to worship in the 
'red schoolhouse,' which stood west of Mrs. Mc- 
Kinstry's and about opposite to the present old 
Presbyterian church. With that house are asso- 
ciated many precious recollections. Many were 
greatly blessed there ; some have gone to heaven, 
and some such are yet lingering among us. The 
congregation, at first, was made up almost en- 
tirely of persons coming from the country — some 
coming in with oxen, and some on foot, for six 
or seven miles. When Mr. Wead came only three 
of the members of this church resided in the 
village. These were Orin Derby and his wife, 
and Mrs. Whitmore, the wife of Judge Whitmore, 
who kept a puljlic house on the bluff where the 
Tooker block now is. Those were days of 'small 
things,' but the Lord's face was turned towards 
his people for good. The young minister and his 
church felt their dependence. They had a work 
before them in which they could hope to accom- 
plish nothing alone. They were willing to be 
used, but they sought the Divine help as their 
chief reliance. They did not seek in vain. In 
the autumn of 183 1 occurred what some of vou 
will remember as "the first revival in the red 
house.' This commenced while the Presbytery 
was holding its first session here. Rev. Mr. War- 
riner preached from the text : "The redemption 
of the soul is precious.' The impression was 
deep. A w(M-k of grace commenced and went on, 
the pastor being assisted by Rev. Messrs. War- 
riner, Hornell and Clark. People came from 
Wayne, Monroe and Lenawee counties to attend 
the meetings, and many carried the sacred fire 
home with them. There were added to the church 
so that it soon numbered seventy-five members. 

"Up to August 6, 1832, the church had been 
governed congregationally, though Deacon Car- 
penter, who had been an elder in a church east, 
had sometimes represented this church in the 
Presbytery many had come to think that it was 
really a Congregational church. So, at this date, 



upon the church records I naturally find the fol- 
lowing miiuite : "On the question, What form of 
government shall this church adopt? it was 
moved and seconded that it adopt the Presbyte- 
rian form, and assume the name of The First 
Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti.' After dis- 
cussion, this motion prevailed ; and after prayer 
for divine direction, Ezra Carpenter, Mason Hat- 
field, Jacob Bacon and James Loomis were elected 
elders. From that time to the present, there has 
been kept a regular record of the doings of the 
session. 

"On the fifth of October, 1833, the following 
j)ersons, members of this church, requested letters 
for the purpose of forming the Presbyterian 
church at Stony Creek : Elder Mason Hatfield, 
.Azubah Hatfield, Cyrenius J. Dewey, Luna 
Dewey, Lucinda Rowde}', .Mien Crittenden, Em- 
ily Crittenden, Daniel W. Russell, Cornelia Rus- 
sell, Henry Albright, Catherine Albright, Elisha 
Pratt, Lucy Pratt, George McDougal, Mary Mc- 
Dougal and Mary Wickham, seventeen in all. 
The request was granted ; and thus commenced 
a church between which and this one there has 
existed such a sympathy as the relation of each to 
the other would indicate as proper. In the au- 
tumn of 1834 Mr. Wead was formally installed, 
thus becoming the first pastor of this church. The 
Rev. J. P. Cleaveland, then of Detroit, preached 
the sernioii : and Rev. A. S. Wells, then of Te- 
cumseh, gave the charge to the pastor. Rev. C. 
G. Clark, then and now of Webster, gave the 
charge to the people. The installation was fol- 
lowed by a series of religious and temperance 
meetings. L'pon the latter suljject Mr. Cleave- 
land appear? to have been both amusing and pow- 
erful. He will be thus remembered in many towns 
through the state. In order that we may see 
what progress this cause had made here by this 
time, I will extract from a letter written Decem- 
ber 21, 1834: 'Mr. Wead has recently been in- 
stalleil over this congregation, at which time the 
church held a protracted meeting of four days — 
temperance meetings on three evenings. Mr. 
Cleaveland, of Detroit, was the principal speaker 
— a host in this cause. He addressed the people as 
to their temporal interests, and kept the house in 
bursts of laughter, or anon in tears, at his eccen- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



747 



trie stories. Eight became members during- the 
three meetings, so that we have now nearly five 
luin(h-ccl names." About this time, a territorial 
temi>erance society was formed, having Austin 
E. Wing for its president, and Mark Norris one 
of its vice presidents. 

"The winter of 1825-6 was distinguished for a 
revival of religion, adding about fifty to the 
church. In the November previous there had 
been observed a number of days of fasting and 
prayer, in reference to the low state of religion, 
and in respect to the appointment of more elders. 
After Monson Clark, Percival W. Sage, William 
R. Post and John Geddes had been elected and 
ordained to that office, there was a faithful visita- 
tion of the church ; which, with the use of other 
divinely appointed means, were productive of the 
commencement and continuance of such a work 
of grace as any of you will remember. Now the 
congregation had become so large that they very 
much desired the completion of the church edifice 
which had already been commenced. As early as 
the fourth of October, 1830, the First Congre- 
gational Society of Ypsilanti had been organized 
according to territorial statute. Ezra Carpenter, 
Timothy Darling, Elias ^l. Skinner, Jacob Bacon, 
Salmon Chaiupion, Jr., and Arden H. Ballard 
were its first trustees. This society has had the 
control of the financial affairs of the congregation 
worshiping with the Presbyterian church from 
that day to this. It had little to do at first, except 
to attend to the support of its ministers, in which 
it was helped by 'The American Home Mis- 
sionary .Society' for four years, amounting to the 
sum of $650 in all, which has long since been re- 
funded in contributions. In 1832 a committee 
was appointed to see what could be done towards 
building a place of worship, and where it could 
be located. This committee reported so favor- 
ably that it was resolved to build a house 46 x 64 
feet upon lots purchased of John Phillips , and 
here the matter rested for two years, when it was 
again resolved to push the matter forward. The 
society seemed to lack an efficient leader, a diffi- 
culty it has been slow in getting over. Abraham 
\'oorheis, Charles Stuck and Monson Clark were 
appointed a 'building conmiittee.' For some rea- 
son this committee soon resigned and P. W. Sage 



was appointed in their stead, to superintend erect- 
ing and finishing the house, which was attended 
with many difficulties incident to a new settle- 
ment. When the frame was ready it was difficult 
to find men enough to raise it without the help of 
intoxicating drinks. It is said that when two 
bents were up a wind blew them down and that 
the wicked 'down town' sent up a shout of 
triumph in sympathy with 'the prince of the 
power of the air.' The raising of the timbers for 
the spire was very difficult because but three or 
four men could be found who dare work so 
high. However, the building was at last finished; 
and on November 23, 1836, the house which we 
are now leaving, as an old one, was dedicated to 
the service of God. Rev. William Page preached 
the sermon. .\ printed program was passed 
through the congregation, containing hymns, etc. 
From this I learn that in the evening of that day 
a temperance meeting was held and addresses 
were made b_\- Dr. (iibson, the State agent, and 
others. .\ curious parody was sung upon that 
occasion from which I will extract the first verse : 

'From Sorrow's icy mountains, 

From Misery's burning strand, 
Where Rum's delusive fountains 

Roll down our happy land : 
From manv a flowing river. 

From many a dreary plain. 
They call us to deliver 

Their friends from ruin's chain.' 

"Such a mutilation is a flagrant outrage upon 
sacred associations, however good the cause it 
was intendtd to promote. It is \'er\- much like 
|)unning with .^cri|iture phrases. That appears to 
have been 'an liigh day' unto this church : but, 
as it often has been with a people entering upon 
the enjo\ment of new ])rivileges, spiritual pros- 
l)erity did not keep pace with temporal. Even 
until now, the old 'red building' mav be remem- 
bered by some of you as the place where you have 
received the best blessings of all your Christian 
pilgrimage. That old building, which was often 
'persecuted for righteousness' sake,' b_v stones 
and brickbats, will be thouglit of much in the day 
of final judgment. When it ceased to be occupied 



748 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



by this congregation it was moved down towii 
and afterwards destroyed by fire, but a great 
manv things connected with its existence are im- 
perishable. Of the prosperity of the church after 
entering the new house Mr. Wead says: 'The 
first year, 1837, was a season of great stujiidit)-, 
onlv two uniting with us by profession. In 1828 
a refreshing season was enjoyed, resuking in the 
addition of fourteen. In 1839, there was an addi- 
tion of twenty-five. During 1840. the year of the 
great poUtical campaign, spiritual death reigned, 
and even through most of 1841. In the very last 
of that year there was evidence of the spiritual 
presence of the spirit. During the winter a re- 
vival of considerable interest was enjoyed. Four- 
teen, as fruits, united with the church. Another 
revival was enjoyed in the winter of 1843 result- 
ing in the addition of twenty-six on the profession 
of their faith.' In February, 1844, the following 
persons took letters from this church, and organ- 
ized the Presbyterian church at Canton: Jared 
Stevens, Charlotte Stevens, Amos Stevens, jMary 
Stevens. Joseph Stevens, Frances E. Stevens, 
Martha Stevens, Perry Stevens, Orrin Stevens, 
Louisa Stevens, Amos Stevens 2nd, Thomas W. 
McKee and Adelia McKee. Thus went out a 
second colony. From tliis time, for two or three 
years, the church passed through some unpleasant 
cases of discipline. For most of the year 1846 
the pulpit was supplied by Rev. H. H. San- 
derson, while the pastor was absent on account of 
ill health. Before and after the pastor's return 
the question of dissolving the relation between 
him and the people was agitated. .\s would be 
expected, or rather as is too commonly the case, 
much occurred which ought never to have been ; 
and when the pastoral relation was finally dis- 
solved by the Presbytery, in July, 1847, it need 
not be wondered if the congregation and the com- 
munity were deeply moved. To tear up a tree b)- 
the roots which has been growing for seventeen 
years would, of course, disturb the soil in which 
it stood. ]\Iuch will cling to it : and very likely 
some of the elements of the soil where it stood 
will become so displaced as never to find their 
native place again. We do not say. however, but 
such a removal may sometimes be desirable ; but 
it needs to be undertaken with great gentleness 



and care. May all who in respect to that matter 
did, said, or thought anything wrong, be grac- 
iously forgiven of God, and have grace to for- 
give one another! Mr. Wead's last sermon was 
tender and affectionate, from the words : 'Where- 
fore T take you to record this day that I am pure 
from the blood of all men : for I have not shunned 
to declare unto you all the counsel of God.' We 
are glad in having him with us today. 

"In the autumn of 1847 Rev. Edward Marsh 
was engaged as a stated snp|)h. He served the 
church and society with faithfidness and accept- 
ance two years. His memor\- will ever be sacred- 
ly cherished by many whom he led, or sought to 
lead, to Christ. He is now a successful pastor in 
Illinois. As several vacancies by this time had 
occurred in the Session, it was moved on the 
third of December, 1840. to fill them, and also 
that hereafter Elders be elected for a limited time. 
These motions prevailed and the existing elders 
tendered their resignations, that there might be an 
entirely new election. After due consideration 
and prayer the following were chosen : John 
Geddes, Jaines Loomis, John Howland, Thomas 
S. Hill and Calvin P. Frost. Two of these were 
to serve for one year, two for two years, and two 
for three years — making it necessary to elect ev- 
ery two years. Thus commenced among us what 
is termed the 'rotary eldership.' 

".■\t the beginning of 1850 the church and soci- 
ety extended a call to the Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, 
then of Tecumseh, to become their pastor. This 
was accepted and the installation services took 
l)lace. Rev. J. H. Agnew, D. D,. preaching the 
semion. Rev. ^^^ S. Curtis, D. D.. delivering the 
charge to the pastor, and Rev. .\. Scofield, charg- 
ing the people. Mr. Cheever continued his labors 
until the early part of 1834 when his pastoral rela- 
tions were dissolved. His dispensation as a min- 
ister to the people seems to have been distin- 
guished for quietude and such a steady progress 
as would be likelv to characterize one of his age 
and experience. In April, 1851, E. A. Pitkin 
was elected an elder for the first time. In April. 
T852. D. R. Green, and in April, 1853, Charles 
Thompson, were elected elders for the first time. 
After ]\Tr. Cheever's dismission the pulpit was 
supplied for six months by Rev. J. D. Pierce, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



749 



who will long be remembered for his able expo- 
sitions of the Prophecies. In the summer of 1854 
negotiations were had with the present pastor to 
come and labor among this people, in view of a 
permanent settlement, whenever it should seem 
desirable. He commenced his labors on the first 
Sabbath in October. A formal 'call' was pre- 
sented in June, 1855, which was accepted; but 
for reasons given the pastor preferred that the 
public services of installation be delayed — ami so 
they have been, even unto the present. It is ex- 
pected that these services will occur during the 
present week if Presb>tery think favorably. These 
services occurred September 23d, 1857. After 
the dedication services of the new church in the 
evening the installation occurred as follows : In- 
vocation and reading of Scripture, by Rev. Rob- 
ert McBride. of Howell ; first prayer, by Rev. 
Seth Hardy, of Stony Creek; sermon by Rev. 
George Curtiss, of Adrian ; installing prayer by 
Rev. Hiram Elmer, of Chelsea ; charge to the 
pastor, by Rev. H. D. Kitchell, of Detroit ; charge 
to the people, by Rev. Ira M. Wead ; benedic- 
tion, bv the pastor. These exercises were inter- 
spersed by singing under the leadership of Mr. 
Town and very much enjoyed by a large congre- 
gation. 

"Previous to the coming of the present pastor, 
much was said of the desirableness of building a 
new church. It became, however, more and more 
evident that such a w^ork was demanded, by the 
size of the congregation and the rapid growth 
of the town, and by the fact, too. that the old 
house had lost its original centrality of position. 
So, at a society meeting, June 26, 1855, after dis- 
cussing the question of erecting a new church edi- 
fice, it was resolved : 'That the trustees be re- 
quested to make, or procure to be made, a plan 
of a house suitable for this congregation, and also 
to is.sue a .subscription for the building of said 
house, and report at a future meeting.' Messrs. 
Charles Shire, D. B. Rorison, D. Showerman, 
L. D. Norris, E. Morton and Rev. J. D. Pierce 
was appointed to associate with the Trustees in 
the above project. On the twelfth of June, 1836. 
those thus appointed reported so favorably, both 
in respect to plan and means, that the Trustees 
were instructed to proceed forthwith in the work 

45 



of erection. Deloss Showerman, Mark Norris, 
Walter B. Hewitt and Isaac N. Conklin were ap- 
pointed to associate with the Trustees in this 
work. Accordingly, on the morning of the next 
day, the cornerstake was set for that church edi- 
fice which we now hope soon to dedicate to the 
service of Almighty God. In respect to con- 
struction, the plan drawn by George S. Greene 
has been carried out. The dimensions of the 
house are 55x96 feet, with a lecture-room in the 
rear 23x50 feet. The height of the spire is 162 
feet. The entire cost, including the lots upon 
which it stands, has been about $16,000. The 
contract for building was first taken by John Fer- 
rier, but the work had not proceeded far when he 
was removed by death. His brother. Philo Fer- 
rier, carried out the agreement. The under-con- 
tractors have been Eber Pattee, Joseph Griffin, 
J. B. Dow, M. Jones, Nicol Mitchel, Andrew Mc- 
Duff, James Boyd, J. W. Flowers, Moses Les- 
pronce and P. Haskell — all of whom have done 
their work honorably and satisfactorily to us. 
The last named was painter upon the old church, 
twenty-one years ago. We liave reason to bless 
that providence who first inclined to build, and 
who has prospered the work to completion with- 
out serious accident. The Building Committee 
have been faithful in their trust, as to deserve the 
commendation of the congregation. Few are 
aware of the time spent by some of the members 
of this Committee, and for no other reward than 
the approbation of conscience in 'setting forward 
the work of the Lord.' This is the richest com- 
pensation in kind that any can have, this side 
eternal rewards. Christ yet sends men into his 
vinevard ; and he promises and pays them wages. 
"The whole number of communicants added 
from 1830 to 1857 is 745. Many of these have 
gone to other places, and many have gone to give 
an account of their stewardship. I can not name 
all these, nor can I write such a memorial of them 
as is written upon many of your hearts. Of your 
pastors and stated supplies, none have yet been 
called from time. Of such as have been elders, 
only three have died — Hatfield, Carpenter and 
Sage. Of the first two, Mr. Wead says: 'It 
seems to me no other church ever embraced two 
such men. In their temperaments and natural 



75Q 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



characteristics they were exceedingly unhke ; and 
yet grace had made them in many respects very 
much aHke. Humihty. meekness, faith and love 
were exhibited by each of them in an unusual de- 
gree. Both were active, consistent, faithful — 
'chief helpers in the Gospel.' The usefulness 
which characterized Deacon Sage, particularly in 
the earlier years of his residence here, will be well 
remembered. The sun of the afternoon of his 
da^•, however, seemed shrouded in sadness ; and 
it is saddening to think that he was cut down 
and removed by a frightful disease, which shut 
him out from those manifestations of sympathy 
which otherwise would have comforted his dying 
hours and clustered around his grave. lUit we 
will hope that he is done with clouds and pesti- 
lence and death. Two of those first elected elders 
siu'vive. The night of their day is near. AIa\- 
they improve the passing hour. More than half 
of those who first constituted this church are yet 
living. But how soon it will be said : 'They all 
have gone!' How diligent they should be 're- 
deeming the time !' 

"The present officers of the church are: Rev. 
Augustus I.. Foster, pastor: Jacob Bacon, John 
Rowland, John Geddes, C. P. l-rost. E. .\. Pit- 
kin, D. I!. Greene, Thos. S. Hill, and Qiarles 
Thompson, elders ; William Cross, F. K. Rexford, 
D. B. Greene. E. D. Lay, L. D. Xorris and Phi- 
lander Stevens, trustees of the society. The pres- 
ent number of members is 266." 

Rev. Mr. Foster severed his connection with 
the church in September, 1862, to go to Coldwa- 
ter. He had served as university regent in 1850. 
He died at Lapeer, September 9. 1876, leaving a 
famih- of ten children. Rev. Joseph Estabrook 
acted as supply until the Rev. George P. Tyndall 
was called as pastor in October, 1863. Air. Tyn- 
dall remained until January i, 1876. Rev. John 
M. Richmond became pastor in October, 1876. 
Rev. Curtis Mclntire lias lately become pastor of 
this church, succeeding Rev. Robert K. Wharton, 
who was pastor for a number of years. 

The Catholic Church. — Jesuit priests had un- 
doubtedly visited Godfrey's trading post from 
1809 to 1818 but a list of these early priests can 
not be given. After the village of Ypsilanti was 
established it was visited at intervals bv Fathers 



Montartl, Cullen and Montcoq. In 1845 ■^ 'o*^ 
was purchased by the Rev. Father Cullen, and a 
frame chttrch built on it, only 24x16 feet in size, 
liere services were held once a month for thir- 
teen years. In 1856 the church purchased a new 
lot and by 1S56 a large church building had been 
erected under the direction of the Rev. Father 
Lamejie, who was the first resident priest. He 
remained fourteen months when Rev. Father Van 
Jenniss. of De.xter, visited Ypsilanti once a month. 
In 1862 Rev. Edward \'an Pamniell became the 
resident priest, and a parochial house was erected. 
In 1865 cemetery grounds were purchased, in 
i8f)7 a schoolhouse was built, and in 1870 the 
church was enlarged to its present size. Rev. 
Father \Mlligan was priest in 1871-2, and Rev. 
I'atliLr Murrav was given charge for the follow- 
ing three years, being succeeded by the Rev. Wil- 
liam De Beaver, under whose pastorate a church 
building was completed and decorated. In 1880 
a residence was purchased fur the ]iriest an<l a 
large brick schoolhouse built. 

The Africmi M. E. Church. — This church was 
organized in 1855 with a membership of 12 and 
a small church built at a cost of $200. -\ new 
church wns erected in iSi'ig at a cost of $i,ron. 
and the present cliurch was built in 1882. Rev. 
James E. Lvons is the present pastor. 

SF.CRET SOriETIES. 

Phoenix Lodge No. 12 F. & .\. i\I. was organ- 
ized March 4. 184''), with the following members : 
.\nthony Case, James Collins, Wilkinson Dean, J. 
Goodel, S. W. Osgood, J. Hornbeck. M. Curtiss. 
John \'an Fossen, Philip Sines, Eurotas Morton, 
Luther Bennett, A\'. B. Hewitt, E. J. Hewitt, W. 
A. Haynes, W. R. Waldron and Madison Cook. 
The first officers were : W. M., John Van Fossen ; 
L. W., Edmund J. Hewitt : J. W., Madison Cook ; 
Secretary, W. B. Hewitt ; Treasurer, .\bel Park- 
hurst ; S. D.. Elijah Grant: J. D., AVinthrop A. 
H,-i\nes: Tyler, Wilkinson Dean. 

Excelsior Chapter No. 25 R. A. M. has been 
doing a good work here, as has a second blue 
lodge known as Ypsilanti Lodge No. 125 F. & 
A. M. 

The first Odd Fellows Lodge in Ypsilanti was 



PAST AND TRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



751 



organized September 17, 1845, ^""^ called Wyan- 
dotte Lodgfe, No. 10, with Benjamin Follett, X. 
G. ; Alfred A. Hunt, V. G. ; Chauncey Joslyn, 
Secretary ; and Thomas O. Hill, Treasurer. It 
was prosperous for a number of years but dis- 
cord entered the lodge room in the '50s and in 
1857 but 32 members remained. In 1860 it was 
finally dissolved. Ypsilanti was without an Odd 
Fellows Lodge until 1878, when Wyandotte 
Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F., was organized. 

Ypsilanti Lodge, No. 15, A. O. U. W., was or- 
ganized October nj. 1877, with Hiram Batch- 
elder as Master \\'orkman. .\mong the charter 
members were Peter W. Carpenter, William Pat- 
tison, Henry P. Glover and Frank Joslyn. 

MURDERS. 

Ypsilanti has been the scene of but a few mur- 
ders. However, the city has been stirred by sev- 
eral such tragedies. On May 22nd, i860, Mrs. 
Lucy \\'ashburn was found dead at the foot of 
her cellar stairs. Her husband, (j. ^^'. Washburn, 
was arrested, tried and found guilty of the mur- 
der, but was recommended to the mercy of the 
court by the jury. She had evidently been mur- 
dered in her bedroom, as there was blood found 
in the room, an indication of the struggle that 
had taken place there. 

On March 3rd. 1862, Henry Feldmaii was 
killed by Chester O. Arnold at Ypsilanti in a quar- 
rel which arose over a woman, Arnold committing 
the murder with an ax. He was found guilty and 
sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. 

On the night of March loth. 1894. J. Pulver. 
a night watchman in the Hay & Todd mill, was 
foully murdered. He had last been seen alive at 
six o'clock that .Saturday night, and at seven 
o'clock .Sunday morning he was found with his 
head crushed in, the murder having been done 
with a pair of pipe tongs. The motive for the 
murder was not apparent as no robbery had been 
committed. Mr. Pulver was 45 years of age and 
was not known to have enemies. Clifford Hans, 
an employe of the mill, was arrested and tried 
for the murder, the theory being that he had been 
discovered by the night watchman in an etifort to 
damage the mill. Clothes with what was believed 



to be blood were found in his room. The trial 
was a hotly contested one and Hans was con- 
victed and sentenced to the Jackson prison for life. 
He was pardoned out. however, by (iovernor Pin- 
gree in 1900. 

DROWNINGS. 

.\ great many people have been drowned in the 
Huron at Ypsilanti. Herman Parshols was 
drowned while bathing, July 6, 1874. He was 
with a picnic party at the time. Among others 
was a young boy named Tom Shaw, who broke 
through thin ice on December 22, 1892, while 
skating above the Forest avenue bridge. Dr. J. 
P. Frey and his little son, Terrice, were drowned 
near the first bridge above the Peninsular Paper 
iMills, August 25, 1898. They were returning 
from a bicycle trip with a second son, when the 
boys went in swimming. Terrice was seized with 
a cramp and was drowned, the Doctor being 
drowned in an effort to save his boy. 

George W. Hayes, Jr.. was run over liy a runa- 
way team attached to a sprinkling wagon on 
June 5, 1896, and died three days later. This 
wagon was being operated by the Ypsilanti Busi- 
ness Alen's Association, and the members of the 
association were sued by the father of the boy for 
the act of the runaway horses, and it cost them 
considerable to settle the case. 

CYCLONE. 

Ypsilanti was visited by a full fledged cvclone 
on Wednesday evening, April 12. 1893, a descrip- 
tion of which is taken from the .\nn .\rbor Argus 
of the following Friday : 

"Ypsilanti was devastated by a cyclone \\'cd- 
nesday evening. The majority of the people of 
\A'ashtenaw had never seen a c\-clone and dreamed 
that we are free from this kind of elemental 
danger. Consequently the cyclone found Y]isi- 
lanti without a cent of cyclone insurance and the 
lieav\- loss inflicted falls entirelv upon local capi- 
tal. 

"It is hard to describe just what happened or 
how it happened. At about half past seven 
o'clock in the evening, without previous warn- 
ing, there was a heavy rush of wind, a nu'nnte of 



752 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



flying timber, bricks, trees, and roofs, and then 
total darkness. The cyclone had bounded away 
and the damage was done. It was all over in 
about a minute, but to some of the terrified peo- 
ple that moment was a long one. 

"Before reaching Ypsilanti city the cyclone tore 
down a barn belonging to Supervisor John L. 
Hunter, on the Saline road, killing two horses, 
three cows and some sheep. Mr. Hunter's loss 
was about $2,000, the bam being a total wreck. 

"The cvclone came from the direction of 
Saline, traveling from southwest to southeast in 
a somewhat zigzag course. The greatest dam- 
age was done in the heart of the city. 

"Draper's Opera House is a complete ruin. 
1 he front wall is standing but badly damaged 
and all the rest of the building is completely de- 
molished. The roof was carried some distance 
and part of the brick walls were carried against 
the other buildings. The Opera House, one of 
the prettiest for its size in the state, was built 
at a cost of $20,000. The loss is practically total 
and it is very doubtful if it will be rebuilt. Hap- 
pily the Opera House was closed Wednesday 
evening or there would have been great loss of 
life, as it was the most completely demolished 
building in the city. Before striking the Opera 
House the wind had played great havoc with 
Cleary's Business College. The tower and the 
roof were carried away, a hole made in the center 
of the building, and the back part of the build- 
ing demolished. The remaining walls of the 
building are somewhat injured. The loss on this 
building is estimated at from $12,000 to $15,000. 
Men were at work carting away the debris yes- 
terday. After wreaking its fury on the Opera 
House, the cyclone turned its attention to the 
Hawkins House which was damaged about 
$6,000. The entire back part of the house is a 
wreck, the brick part and office being uninjured. 
The dining room is filled with debris and the 
wooden part of the building which fell in with 
the weight of the bricks falling upon it is also 
filled with debris. Before reaching the business 
portion of the town the cyclone had destroyed 
many residences. 

"Among these is the residence of C. P. Mc- 
Kinstry on West Congress street, the west side 



of which is gone. Adjoining Cleary's Business 
College is, or rather was, the handsome double 
brick residence owned by Mrs. S. A. De Nyke. 
The loss of this house will reach about $5,000. It 
will have to be built anew. The family narrowly 
escaped, having just left the adjoining room 
which was at once filled with heavy timber. A 
bedridden son in an upper story had a miraculous 
escape from injury. East of the river, among the 
losers are Milo Gage, Jonathan C. Voorheis, 
George A. Cook, John Ross and William A. 
Moore. But before crossing the river the cyclone 
Iiad damaged many of the business blocks other 
than those we have mentioned. Next in total 
amount of loss to the Opera House and Cleary's 
Business College, is the loss sustained by H. M. 
Curtis" carriage shop opposite the Hawkins 
House. The shop and brick building is badly 
wrecked, the aitire top being blown off and the 
side walls on both sides completely demolished. 
A finished stock of carts were damaged outside 
the building. A fine hack standing in the build- 
ing was unscratched and undisturbed while all 
around were broken wagons and masses of debris. 
The loss here is about $7,000. 

"Yost's livery stable was unroofed, some of 
the timbers being carried through the plate glass 
in front of the Dobson building. The Wortley 
and Post blocks are badly damaged, and the roofs 
were tossed as if they were feather weights. The 
building across the street, occupied in part by a 
Chinese laundry is a total wreck. Cook and 
Brown's, Holbrook's and Mrs. Daniel's suffered 
heavih', as did also Fairchild's meat market. The 
Occidental Hotel is damaged about $1,500. 
Among the residences damaged in addition to 
those previously named are the Knisly house, 
Mrs. Leach's on River street, and the Gilbert 
house on Park street. 

"The box factory, owned by ]\Ir. Glover, was 
considerably damaged. The chimney was totally 
destroyed. An eye witness to the catastrophe 
says that the tall chimney was lifted up entire and 
carried up about two hundred feet when the wind 
twisted the top off, dropping the lower part, the 
top disappearing with the wind. 

"The poles of the telephone company were 
down in all directions and the wires twisted and 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



753 



torn in an indescribable fashion. The telephone 
manager sets the loss at fully $10,000. The city 
also finds electric lights and poles down, and 
electric light wires badly torn. No one yester- 
day had attempted to make any estimate of the 
city's loss, but it can not be light. 

"Following the cyclone came total darkness. 
The breaking down of the electric light poles 
and the twisting ofif of gas lamps put an end to 
artificial light. The gas had to be shut of? from 
the mains. Then came a heavy rain, which fol- 
lows and does not precede a cyclone. The fright- 
ened people began to creep out of their homes, 
lanterns in hand, only to run up against the 
debris which the wind had strewn in their path. 
It is remarkable how many lanterns were found 
by the people and in all directions could be seen 
the little lights twinkling out in the darkness and 
rain while everyone was looking for his friends 
to see if the)- were injured. 

"Strange as it may seem no lives were lost and 
no one was fatally injured, in fact, so far as dis- 
covered, no bones were broken. The revival 
meeting at the Methodist church had called out a 
crowded house and so taken many out of the 
track of the storm. The stores were closed and 
inany people had just gotten out of dangerous 
places. The most narrow escape was at the Haw- 
kins House. .\ porter in the upper story of the 
destroyed part of the building fell with it and was 
pinned down so that he had to be released, but 
was found whole and only slightly bruised. One 
of the girls in the adjoining room at the time the 
walls fell in, Josie Coghill b\' name, was impris- 
oned in the room and although thus buried in the 
debris was not much injured. In rescuing her 
Frank Kirk had his eye injured by a brick strik- 
ing him. A traveling man asleep in his room 
waked to find himself in the room below him, but 
he was unhurt. The office of the Hawkins House 
was filled with guests. A wild time ensued. Men 
rushed around trying to get hold of something to 
cling to. One traveling man was blown up 
against W. H. Lewis, both falling down cellar, 
Lewis being the under man. He was somewhat 
injured but not seriously. The wind played many 
freaks. One barn on Congress street was turned 
completely upside down. The horse which was 



tied in its stall was found grazing in an adjoining 
grass plot in the morning. Another horse was 
found uninjured in its stall although the roof and 
walls of the barn had been carried away. 

"The total loss can not be less than $100,000. 
There are hundreds of small losses that will never 
be known to the public. Many barns are gone 
from their foundations, and a few horses were 
killed. Yesterday Ypsilanti was filled with curious 
sightseers. The debris is rapidly being cleared 
up and every one is anxious that no more cyclones 
shall visit Washtenaw county." 

THE MOTOR LINE. 

Ypsilanti was connected with Ann Arbor in 
1 891 by what was termed a "dummy road," 
owing to the fact that a small engine called a 
dummy, burning soft coal and boxed in to look 
like a car, was used in drawing a passenger car. 
Henry P. Glover was the principal Ypsilanti cap- 
italist in the building of the line, which was con- 
structed bv a promoter named Haines who was 
afterwards elected to Congress from the Roches- 
ter, New York, district This line carried a large 
number of passengers ; but was converted into an 
electric line in 1898, when a line between Detroit 
and Ypsilanti was also built, the road now being 
called the Detroit. Ypsilanti & Ann Arbor, and 
the latter, when it was extended west to Jackson, 
the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor & Jackson. In 
1901, through the efforts of Henry P. Glover and 
Robert Hemphill, the Saline branch of this road 
was constructed, running to Saline and opening a 
new territory for trade with Ypsilanti merchants. 
There is talk at this writing of extending the Sa- 
line branch to Adrian. The power house for the 
entire line is located at Ypsilanti and the motor- 
men, conductors and other employes of the road 
form quite a colony in the city. 

Ypsilanti enjoys municipal ownership of w^ater 
works and an electric street lighting plant, and 
has long borne the reputation of being lighted 
at less expense than any other city in the United 
States. The water works system was erected in 
1889, bonds being issued for $100,000 for this 
[uirpose. The system has been economically man- 
aged and has proven extremely satisfactory to the 
citizens. 



754 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



In I goo according to the census Ypsilanti had 
iio manufacturing' plants with a capital of 
$898,161, employing 681 workmen, paying out 
a yearly wage of $233,013, using in the year 
$725,907 worth of raw material, and producing 
manufactured products worth $1,318,793. 

Among the largest business failures in Ypsi- 
lanti was that of Nicholas Cordery, who failed 
July 20. 1888, with liabilities amounting to 
$50,000. after having conducted his store for a 
great many years. 

Ypsilanti possesses one of the best business col- 
leges in the country which occupies a fine building 
built especially for it and known as the Clearv 
Business College. It is in charge of P. Roger 
Cleary and was incorporated in 1891. It draws a 
large number of students from all parts of the 
United States and its graduates are very success- 
ful in securing positions. 

Some of Ypsilanti's numerous factories have 
been mentioned but there are certain others that 
must be mentioned to have this article at all com- 
plete. The Ypsilanti Dress Stay Manufacturing 
Co.. incorporated in 1889 with a capital of $50,000, 
has been one of the most successful factories ever 
started in Michigan. For many years Mr. Henrv 
P. Glover, its principal owner, drew very large 
profits from it and its wares were sold in all parts 
of the country over every dry-goods counter. Mr. 
Glover has been one of the most public-spirited 
citizens of Ypsilanti. He was a factor in building 
both its electric lines. In 1891 he with others 
started the Sharf Tag, Label and Box Co., with a 
capital stock of $40,000. which continues to do 
good business. The Ypsilanti Underwear factorv. 
originallx- incorporated as the Hay & Todd Manu- 
facturing Co., in 1885, has made the name of 
Ypsilanti underwear a household word through- 
out the country. They now have large factories 
in Ypsilanti. where the parent factory is located, 
and in Detroit and Ami Arbor, where branches 
have been established. 

The city officers of Ypsilanti have been : 

M.'WORS. 

Chauncey Joslyn 1858 

Arden H. Ballard 1859 



Benjamin Follett i860 

Dr. Parmenio Davis 1861-63 

David Edwards 1864 

Edward Bogardus 1865-66 

David Edwards 1867 

Dr. Parmenio Davis 1868-70 

Frank P. Bogardus 1871-72 

Watson Snyder 1873-74 

Lambert A. Barnes 1875-77 

Thomas Xinde 1878 

Lambert A. Barnes 1879 

Edward P. Allen 1880 

Henry R. .Scovill 1881-83 

Chester L. Yost 1884-85 

Clark Cornwall 1886-8;^ 

Francis P. Bogardus 1888 

Daniel Putnam 1889-90 

Henry P. Glover 1891-92 

Henry B. Scovill 1893 

William B. Seymore 1894 

Harlow D. Wells 1895-96 

Nolan B. Harding 1897 

D. L. Davis 1898 

Edward P. .\llen 1899 

Henry R. Scovill 1900 

Martin Dawson 1902 

ClifTord Huston 1903 

George M. Gaudy 1904-05 

CITY CLERKS. 

John McCready 1858 

R. W. Van Fossen 1859 

John McCready 1860-66 

Sylvester C. Noble 1867 

J. Willard Babbitt 1868-69 

N. K. Towner 1870 

C. N. Ganson 1871-72 

C. ^1. Woodrui^f 1873-74 

Frank Joslyn 1875-81 

Peter W. Carpenter 1882-83 

Frank Joslyn 1884-89 

Frank C. Moriarty 1890-91 

George A. Cook 1 892-93 

Carlysle P. McKinstrey 1894-95 

Peter W. Carpenter 1896-97 

James E. McGregor 1898-00 

William E. McLeod 1901-02 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



755 



Lee Stlimpenhusen 1903 

Sumner Damon 1904-05 

SUPERVISORS. 

First Dislriit — 

John W. \'an Cleve 1858 

Enoch Yost 1859-60 

H. Compton 1861 

Enoch Yost 1862 

Hiram I'.acheltler 1863-66 

Cliarles Hohiies. Jr 1867 

Lee Yost 1868-72 

Hiram Bacheldcr 1873 

Aiorris X. Littlefield 1874 

1 liram llachelder 1875-76 

Lee Yost 1877-78 

Hiram Bachelder 1879-80 

Lee Yost 1881-87 

I'hilander Stevens 1888 

David Edwards 1889-94 

Sumner Damon 1895-03 

Jolni L. Hunter 1904 

Second District — 

Parmenio Davis 1858-59 

W. Millard i860 

C. H. Tisdale 1861 

John Gilbert 1862-68 

John P. Drake . 1869-70 

\V. Millard 1871 

Luther I'. Forbes 1872-73 

Andrew J. Leetch : . 1874-75 

Alartinus L. Shutts 1876-84 

Charles McCormick 1885-87 

Stephen Hutchinson 1888-89 

James M. Forsyth 1890-96 

Daniel Ostrander 1897 

Elmer .McCuUoucfh : 1898 



CHAPTER XXT. 

uisroin' ()!•■ •nil-: towxship.s 

Ann .Vriior. Au,s:usta, Bridfjewater. Dexter, 
Freedom, Lima, Lodi, Lvndon, Manchester. 



Northfield, Pittsfield, Salem, Saline, Scio, Sharon, 
Superior, Sylvan. \\'ebster, York and Ypsilanti. 

.\NN AREOR TOWN. 

The historv of Ann Arbor town is so inter- 
twined with that of Ann Arbor city that it is 
told there. The township surrounds the city, 
which has so increased its limits that Ann Arbor 
town is now the smallest in area of any town in 
the coun\ . The supervisors of the township from 
the beginnintj have been : 

Henr\- Rumsey 1827 

Orrin White 1828 

Robert Geddes 1829-30 

Harve\- Chubb 1831-32 

Moses McCollum 1833 

Henry Rumsey 1834 

Daniel 1!. Brown 1835 

\\'illiam R. Thompson 1836 

Dwisj^-ht Kellog-g: 1837 

Caleb X. Ormsby ' 1838 

John Geddes 1839-40 

David T. McCollum 1841 

Edwin Lawrence 1842-43 

John Geddes 1844 

Hiram Becker 1845 

John Geddes 1846 

Hiram Becker 1847 

Edwin Lawrence 1848 

Israel Mowr\- 1849 

Sumner Hicks 1850 

Hethcott M. ?iIowry 1851 

.A.. H. Markham . ". 1852-54 

Collins B. Cook 1855-57 

A. H. Markham 1858-59 

( )rrin \Miite 1860-61 

H. M. Morey 1862 

John Geddes 1863-64 

Edward Treadwell . 1865 " 

Samuel Crosman 1866-68 

S. W. Shurtlefif 1869-77 

Isaac XT. S. Foster 1878-82 

Frederick B. Bratm 1883-88 

Thomas G. Burlingame 1889-9! 

Charles Brown ■ 1892-94 

Cornelius L. Tuomey 1895-96 

Qiarles Brown 1897 



756 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Cornelius L. Tuomey 1898 

Charles Brown 1892-02 

Walter S. Bilbie 1903 

AUGUSTA. 

The township of Augusta was originally a v-ast 
timber marsh. The original pioneers in clear- 
ing the land of the heavy timber, which was upon 
it, did much toward draining it by decreasing 
the quantity of water. Paint creek. Stony creek 
and Sugar creek aided the early pioneers in the 
work of drainage, and with the building of nu- 
merous drains throughout the township Augusta 
so became known as one of the most fertile town- 
ships in the county. As has been seen, Augusta 
was not settled until 1829, and it was not until 
after the building of the Wabash railroad through 
the township, in 1880, that villages sprang up 
within its limits. The building of this railroad 
meant the building up of W'hittaker and Willis. 

The township was organized in April, 1837, 
and the first town meeting was held at the house 
of Aaron Childs and resulted in the election of 
Stephen Mead as supervisor and Aaron Childs 
as township clerk. Previous to 1836 the town 
had been a part of Ypsilanti township. The year 
after it was organized as a township the first 
state census was taken and it was found that 
the new township had a population of 359. It 
had not, however, attained the fertility which 
was at a later date to mark the township. Its 
inhabitants at that time possessed 49 horses, 66 
sheep, 524 hogs and 480 head of meat stock, and 
during the previous year had raised 2,845 bushels 
of wheat, 5,307 bushels of corn, 2,352 bushels of 
oats, 409 bushels of buckwheat and 345 pounds of 
flax. The first frame house in the town was built 
by Prince Bennett in 1836. This was quickl)- 
followed by a frame house built by Josiah Childs, 
and by other frame houses built by Markham 
and Lawrence. In 1833 a log schoolhouse was 
erected on Section 3 and was called District 
school No. I. Richard Gordon presided as the 
first school teacher, but the first actual district 
school was not organized until 1839. The first 
church to be organized in the township was the 
Presbyterian, which formed a congregation as 



early as October, 1833, but the congregation did 
not complete their church until 1835. Previous 
to 1833 religious meetings had been held in 
schoolhouses and private dwellings and usually 
without a minister. Mrs. George McDougall 
often read sermons. The Presbyterian church of 
Stony Creek, which was organized in 1833, 
really held its formal exercises for the purpose 
of organization in the schoolhouse in what was 
afterwards known as the Crittenden district, in 
Pittsfield, and the organization was completed by 
the Rev. Ira M. Weed and the Rev. John lieech, 
delegates to the Detroit Presbytery. The original 
members consisted of Mr. and Airs. Mason Hat- 
field, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrenius I. Dewey, Mr. and 
Mrs. Daniel W. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Henry 
Albright, Mr. and Mrs. George McDougall, Coon 
Redner, Alva Pratt, Mrs. Kitty Miller, and the 
Misses Luna Dewey, Lncinda Rowley and Mary 
Wickham. Mason Hatfield was made deacon 
and he and Cyrenius I. Dewey the first elders. 
The church society proper was organized Febru- 
ary 10, 1835, '^^''t'l Coon Redner, Roderick Row- 
ley and Alva Pratt as trustees, and a log structure 
was built by Ebenezer Giles at Stony Creek for 
$75. .\ brick church was erected in 1845, and 
the Rev. Justin Marsh preached the dedication 
sermon. A parsonage was built in 1849, and in 
1871 the church building was overhauled, re- 
paired and rededicated. The first clergyman was 
the Rev. Mr. Boughton, and he was succeeded by 
Rev. E. B. Emerson. Rev. Oliver Hill, Rev. Jus- 
tin Marsh, Rev. Alanson Scofield, Rev. Seth 
Hardy, Rev. Norman Kellogg. Rev. William H. 
Piatt, Rev. E. P. Goodrich, Rev. Mills Gelston, 
Rev. W. H. Blair and the more recent pastors. 

Andrew Miller is considered to have been the 
first white child born in the township. His father, 
James Miller, was the founder of the village of 
Stony Creek. The first postoffice was established 
at Paint Creek and the first postmaster was David 
Hardy. 

The first Congregational church of Augusta 
was organized March 9, 1854, with the following 
charter members : David Hardy, Christopher 
Howard, J. Webster Childs, A. Jackson Stitt, 
Josiah Childs, Stephen D. Hardy, Peter Tyler, 
John W. Flower, Calvin M. Lowe, Samuel J. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



757 



Viall, John Russ, Jr., Spencer Russ and Osnicr 
A. Lawrence. Tlie first trustees were J. Webster 
Childs, Christopher Howard, John W. Flower, 
Stephen T. Hardy, Calvin M. Lx)we and Josiah 
Childs, and a frame churcli was erected in 1855 
on a lot donated by William Jarvis, of Ypsilanti, 
at a cost of $1,300. The deacons of the church 
were Josiah Childs and C. M. Lowe, and for a 
great many years the Hon. J. Webster Childs was 
superintendent of the Sunday-school. Rev. Wil- 
liam Kent was succeeded as pastor by Rev. 
jMichael Porter. Rev. William Hall, Rev. Samuel 
D. Breed, Rev. William H. Osborne, Rev. Na- 
thaniel D. Lamphear, Rev. William H. Blair. 

In 1834 the Hon. Aaron Childs located upon 
the banks of Paint creek and continued to reside 
in Augusta until his death, March 26, 1882. He 
was descended from the Pilgrim Fathers and in- 
herited many of their traits. He was supervisor 
of the township for a great many years, having 
been first elected in 1854, and was a representa- 
tive in the state legislature in 1871 and 1872. 
His younger brother, the Hon. J. Webster Childs, 
who came into the county in 1848, was first 
elected supervisor of Augusta in 1852, repre- 
sented his district in the state legislature in 1859, 
1861 and 1862, and was state senator in i8C)5. 
1867, 1873, 1874 and 1879, being iircsident pro 
tern of the senate in the years 1873 and 1874. He 
was a wheelhorse of the republican party, with 
which he and his brother early identified thenv 
selves. He served on the state board of agricul- 
ture, was president of the Fair association at 
Ypsilanti for many years, a member of the execu- 
tive committee of the State Agricultural Society, 
and was a chairman of the executive committee 
of the state grange. The Childs and their de- 
scendents have exerted a great influence upon 
Augusta and its development. Foi many vears, 
in fact from 1847 down to 1879, the election of 
supervisor of .Augusta alternated between Chris- 
topher Howard, J. Webster, Aaron Childs and J. 
D. Alcott. In 1879 Williain Dansingburg was 
elected supervisor and continued to represent his 
township until he was elected county clerk in 
1894. 

Mrs. Celina Wells was murdered on .\ugust 25, 
1886, by her husband, Oiarles Swayne Wells, 



who cut her throat with a razor, after a quarrel 
over a mortgage of $1,300 on their farm held 
by the wdfe's mother, which she wanted settled 
for $1,000. Wells was tried in November, 1886, 
and put in a defense of insanity. He was con- 
victed and sentenced to state's prison for life. 

A hen flying out of a barn door caused the 
death of the ii-year-old daughter of Martin 
Breining on January 6, 1890. She was leading 
a horse to water with the halter strap around her 
waist. The hen frightened the horse, which 
wheeled and ran, trampling on the girl at every 
step. Life was extinct when her father, who 
rushed out of the barn, reached her. 

The corner stone of St. Joseph's Catholic 
church, at Whittaker, was laid August 7, 1890. 

With the building of the Wabash Railroad, 
which passes diagonally through to Augusta, en- 
tering at the northeast corner and passing out 
near the southwest corner of the town, two 
thriving little villages, Whittaker and Willis, have 
sprung up in Augusta. Whittaker is located 
near the center of the township and Willis is two 
and a half miles distant on Sections i and 12. 

The supervisors of the township have been : 

Stephen Mead 1836 

.Aaron Aber 1837 

W. B. Bradford 1838 

Stephen Mead 1831) 

Prince Bennett, Jr 1840 

Lee L. Forsyth 1842 

W. B. Bradford 1843 

Lee L. Forsyth 1845-46 

Christopher Howard 1847-51 

J. Webster Childs 1852 

Qiristopher Howard 1853 

.\aron Childs 1854-56 

Christopher Howard 1857 

Aaron Childs 1858 

Christopher Howard 1859 

Aaron Childs 1860-63 

J. Webster Childs 1864 

.\aron Qiilds 1865-70 

J. D. Olcott 1871-73 

Aaron Childs 1874 

J. D. Olcott 1875-78 

William Dansingburg 1879-85 

Jerry D. O'Brien 1886 



758 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COITNTY. 



William Dansingburg: 1887-8.J 

Walter L. Rogers 1890 

William Dansingburg iSyi-g^ 

Samuel Bibbins 1893 

William Daiisiiigburg 1894 

Elias B. Stone 1894 

Samuel S. Bibbins 1895-00 

Walter R. Mason 1901 

John Lawson 1902-04 

Walter R. Mason 1905 

i:rii)i;k\v.\tek. 

As has been stated. Bridgewater was originallv 
part of the township of Dexter. In 1832 the two 
towns of Bridgewater and Dexter were organized 
into a township, by the name of Hixon, and on 
April 7, 1833, the first township nueeting in 
Hixon was held at the house of Daniel Brooks, 
owned 50 years later by Mrs. C. T. Crane. Grove 
Parker presided over this election, with Howell 
B. Norton as justice of the peace and Lyman 
Downs as clerk, these men constituting the first 
board of election. This election resulted in tiie 
choice of George Howe as supervisor, Robert 
Heggie as clerk, Harvey Gilbert as collector and 
constable, Shove Minor, Levi D. Pratt and Jacob 
Gilbert as commissioners of highways, Thomas 
Gilbert as overseer of the poor, Oramel D. Skin- 
ner. James Stephens and William B. Pier as as- 
sessors and Eli R. Sales and John Lockerby as 
commissioners of schools. In 1836 the township 
of Hixon was separated into the two townships 
of Bridgewater and Manchester. George Howe 
gave the name of Bridgewater to the new town- 
ship and was elected its first supervisor. R. H. 
Heggie was elected the first town clerk, Norman 
L. Conklin treasurer, and H. B. Norton justice 
of the peace. In 1837. a year after the organiza- 
tion of Bridgewater, the township had a popula- 
tion of 923. Its inhabitants were in possession 
of 129 horses. 342 sheep, 1,273 hogs and 860 
head of neat stock, and raised the preceding vear 
10,209 bushels of wheat, 42 bushels of rye. 9.997 
bushels of buckwheat and 912 pounds of flax. 
To-day there are a number of inhabitants in 
Bridgewater whose flocks of sheep are in excess 
of the. entire number of sheep in the township 



in 1837. The Pottawatomies and the Sacs had 
trails along the River Raisin, and in 1832 a band 
of Indians appeared within the township. A 
number of .settlers captured them and took them 
to Clinton, but nothing was done with them. In 
1843 another band of Indians appeared within the 
township, returning from Maiden. These two 
visits seem to be about all that the early settlers 
of Bridgewater saw of the Indians, but wolves 
proved troublesome and as early as 1834 a 
bounty of $4 per scalp of a full-grown wolf was 
voted. It was also determined that hogs weigh- 
ing upwards of 40 pounds should be free com- 
moners, but under that weight were obliged to 
wear a yoke. Horses and cattle were branded 
by their owners and the brand was duly regis- 
tered in the township records, which l)nre entries 
of this nature: "By request of Levi D. Pratt, 
of Bridgewater. a mark for his horses, cattle, 
sheep and hogs is to be a square crop on the end 
of two slits on the underside of the left ear of 
said animals." These marks were recognized in 
giving notice of estrays, of which the following^ 
example may be quoted: ''Mr. R. Heggie. Sir: 
I have one stray steer that came in with my 
cattle about the first of July last. He is red and 
white, mostly white, with a half crop on the 
underside of the left ear and to all ajjpearances a 
small three year old, may be four, long slim 
horns, one a little topped. Nathan Martin, Bridge- 
water, Nov. 27, 1833." "Mr. Conklin, Sir: I 
have one stray bull which came to my house about 
the middle of November, two x'ears old. small size, 
a white spot on his forehead, about two-thirds of 
his tail white and Ijoth hind feet, with a slit in his 
right ear. William Baldwin, Dec. i8v 1834." 

The Bridgewater town hall was erected in 
1856. The first building committee, appointed 
in 1855, was composed of Daniel Le Baron, D. 
W. Palmer, Norman Calhoun and W. H. Aulls. 
and a second committee, appointed in 1856, con- 
sisted of Norman Calhoun, Lewis Potts, Junius 
Short and Ransome Nradley, and with $550 this 
committee succeeded in building a hall and open- 
ing it in September, 1856. The towm board en- 
tered the following record upon their minutes: 
"Voted that the town hall be opened for commer- 
cial and scientific lectures and for funerals." The 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



759 



first district schoolhnuse was built on section 
28, in 1834, and was built by Norman L. Conklin. 
Tlie first sawmill was erected by Jacob Gilbert 
on the River Raisin in 1834, but the first grist 
mill was not built until 1857, when William W. 
Aunin built and operated a mill. At one time a 
shoddy mill existed within the township. The 
German Lutherans erected the first church within 
the township, in 1855, with Rev. William Foltz 
as pastor. 

Alartha Miner, a domestic employed by 
Charles Gadd, and her lover, Niles N. James, 
were the parties in a tragedy in Bridgewater, July 
27, 1879. At 5 o'clock in the morning, in Miss 
Miner's room in the Gadd house, two shots rang 
out and James was found dead and Miss Miner 
fatally injured. It was believed that James shot 
the girl first and then shot himself through the 
head, killing himself instantly. She died two or 
three da\'s later. Another theory was that the 
girl shot her lover and then herself. 

On November 10, 1898, Louis Bischoff, aged 
21, was drowned in Joslyn lake. He was in a boat, 
with three companions, which was tipped over. 
All started to swim ashore and reached there 
safely, except Bischofi^. The lake was dragged 
for his body and as his companions did not see 
him drowned it was though he might have dis- 
appeared. His body was found June i, 1899. 

The supervisors of Bridgewater have been : 

N. L. Conklin 1835-38 

Jacob Hovey 1839 

Roswell Randall 1840 

Thomas Havens 1841 

George Lazelle 1842-46 

N. L. Conklin 1847 

George Lazelle 1848-49 

N. L. Conklin 1850 

Isaac Magoon 1851-52 

George Lazelle 1853 

Dan Le Baron 1854-55 

N. L. Conklin 1856 

Dan Le Baron 1857 

Isaac Magoon 1858 

Dan Le Baron 1859-66 

N. L. Conklin 1867-68 

Dan Le Baron 1 869-70 

George Lazelle 1871 



Dan Le Baron 1872 

James M. Kress 1873-74 

Dan Le Baron 1875-79 

James M. Kress 1880 

George Calhoun 1881 

Erastus Walter 1882 

Henry R. Palmer 1883 

James M. Kress 1884-88 

George Walter 1889-03 

Archie G. Crane 1904 

I)I-:.\TKK. 

The original township of De.xter comprised 10 
towns within the present county of Washtenaw, 
four townships in Ingham county and eight in 
Jackson, and was as large as the whole county 
of Washtenaw is to-day. The first town meeting 
in this original township was held at the house 
of Judge Samuel W. Dexter on May 28, 1827, 
and the following township officers were elected : 
Supervisors, Rufus Grossman ; clerk, Nathaniel 
Noble; assessors, Samuel Clements, Luther Boy- 
den, Jerome Loomis and George W. Peters; col- 
lector and constable, .\lexander Laverty ; com- 
missioners of highways, Israel .\rms, Henry 
Warner and Richard C. Dillon ; fence viewers, 
Cornelius Osterhaut, Silas Kingsley, Russell 
Parker, .Samuel W. Dexter. Israel Arms, Samuel 
Clements. Richard C. Dillon and George W. 
Peters ; povmd masters. Palmer Force, Luther 
Boyden and James Popkins. In 1836 the town- 
ship was confined to its present limits with the 
election of Thomas Lee as supervisor and .\mos 
Gray as clerk. As early as 1827, Cornelius Oster- 
haut and a Mr. Hull had built a sawmill on the 
site of the present Hudson mills, and Judge 
Dexter and Isaac Pomeroy built a sawmill on 
the site of the Dover mills in 1832. This latter 
gave place in 1846 to the Dover mills built by 
Daniel B. Sloan & Co., and purchased in 1861 
by Thomas Burkett, who continued to own it for 
many years. The Hudson mills were built in 
1844 by Adams & Peters and for a number of 
years passed into the hands of Thomas Burkett. 

In 1834 a postofiice was established- at North 
Lake and shortly afterwards another postofiice at 
Stirling, but both ofiices were soon abolished. 



76o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Some 3'ears later a postoffice was establislied 
called Base Lake postoffice, which was part of the 
time at Dover and part at Hudson, but which 
has since been discontinued. In 1837 the town- 
ship contained a population of 596, and had pro- 
duced during the year 8,854 bushels of wheat, 
4,470 bushels of corn, 13,672 bushels of oats and 
1,393 bushels of buckwheat. Its inhabitants 
owned 188 head of neat stock and 228 hogs. A 
Methodist church was organized in 1836 at North 
Lake, with the Rev. Charles Glenn as class leader, 
and with the following members : Mary A. Glenn, 
John Glenn, Jane Glenn, Isaac Glenn, Benjamin 
H. Glenn, John Doan, Ann Doan, Aaron Vedder. 
Catherine \'edder, Elijah Brown. Clarissah 
Brown, John Moore, Sarah Searls, James E. 
Crane, James H. Brown, Ann Johnson and Joseph 
Whitcomb. The society met at the house of John 
Glenn until 1846, when Charles and John Glenn 
built a small building, which was used for school 
and church purposes until 1866, when a new 
church edifice was erected. About 1834 or 1835 
the Episcopalians had organized a congregation 
in the log schoolhouse, at what was then known 
as North Lake Corners, but an effort to erect a 
church building in the township failed. Previous 
to this Rev. C. G. Clark, a Presbyterian minister, 
preached every alternate Sunday at the house of 
Joseph Arnold for two or three years, from 1828. 
A Catholic church was completed about 1846, 
on Section 21, the first priest being the Rev. 
Father Cullen, and at that time was the onlv 
Catholic church between Ann Arbor and Jack- 
son. Among its leading members were John 
McGuerrin, John Harrington, Michael McCabe, 
Timothy Sullivan, John Doody, John Patrick, 
Michael Rabbitt, Patrick, Michael and James 
Lavey, and James McMahon. The Ebenezer 
Evangelical church held services from 1866 and 
organized a church in 1871, their new church 
building being dedicated November 19, 1871. 

There are 20 lakes in the township, or partiallv 
within it, including Portage, Silver, Half Moon 
North lake, West lake and Four Mile lake. On the 
south end- of Portage lake a great city was once 
platted, called the Saratoga of Michigan, and 
lithographs were issued advertising it bv G. R. 
Lillibridge. A steamboat was launched on paper 



to make a round trip of Portage, Base and Straw- 
berry lakes, a distance of 30 or 40 miles, an ob- 
servatory was built on Prospect hill, mineral 
springs with wonderful curing properties were 
advertised and extensive hotels were to be 
crowded to their utmost capacities. Edwin For- 
rest, the great tragedian, was supposed to have 
invested $30,000 in the new town. Saratoga city 
never contained but one house. The following 
advertisement of the Saratoga of Michigan ran 
in the Ann Arbor papers : "One hundred and 
twenty-five of the even numbered lots in the new 
village of Saratoga are now offered for sale at 
schedule prices at the office of the subscriber in the 
city of Detroit, having disposed of all the odd 
numbered lots in the village to Edwin Forrest, 
Esq., for the consideration of $15,000, to be ex- 
pended by him in building a splendid hotel to cost 
not less than $10,000, and other improvements to 
the amount of $5,000. The hotel will go into 
operation under the management and direction of 
the undersigned in the summer of 1838, bv which 
time the railroads now being made will be com- 
pleted even from the cities of Albanv and Boston, 
affording a direct line of communication from 
these cities to Saratoga of Michigan. 

"The mineral springs will be in complete or- 
der and every exertion will be made bv both 
])roprietors to render this village equal in appear- 
ance to any of its size in the United States. 

"The situation in point of scenic or picturesque 
beauty is unsurpassed by any other in the LTnited 
States. Prospect hill is situated in the rear of the 
village, the plat of which is laid out from the 
foot of the hill down to the shores of Portage 
lake, which abounds in the greatest variety of 
fish, among which are pickerel, bass, rock bass, 
]5erch, sun fish, mulle muskalonge, etc. From the 
top of Prospect hill the view of the surrounding 
country is sublime, the eye surveying several 
beautiful navigable lakes, through some of which 
the River Huron winds its course. 

"The neighborhood of Saratoga has been set- 
tled for a number of years by experienced and 
industrious farmers, and not less than $75,000 
of goods and wares for the use and consumption 
of the farmer and mechanic nnist have been dis- 
posed of to this neighborhood the last or present 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



761 



year, there not being a trading house short of 
Dexter and Ann Arbor villages, whither the in- 
habitants have hitherto had to purchase their 
necessaries. 

"The improvements about to be made are 
guarantees that nothing short of success can at- 
tend the man of business who locates himself in 
the new Saratoga, whether he be merchant or 
mechanic. Among the improvements of this sec- 
tion there are three sawmills in the immediate 
neighborhood of the village, one a half a mile, 
another a mile and a half, and the other nearh- 
two miles, from each of which the lumber can 
be rafted or boated to the village. There are also 
brick yards and lime kilns in successful operation. 
There are likewise large quantities of suitable 
foundation stone for building purposes found in 
the neighborhood. 

"Two state roads, the Wayne county and Kala- 
mazoo and the Monroe and Saginaw cross each 
other at the village of Saratoga. 

"No better opportunity can be afforded the citi- 
zens of Detroit for providing themselves with a 
handsome and healthful site for a cottage to re- 
tire to with their families in the summer season, 
than does this village several lots having been 
already disposed of for that purpose; and it is 
the determination of the proprietors to sell to none 
but those who will build and whose object must 
be to cultivate a creditable society. 

"For further particulars, price of lots, plats 
of village and other interesting matter, purchasers 
may apply at the office of the advertiser in the 
city of Detroit, agreeable to further notice, after 
the 20th of November instant. 

"G. R. LiLLIBRIDGE." 

"References : Matthew Carey, James Ronald- 
son and John Binns, Esq., Philadelphia, and 
Stevens T. Mason, Andrew Mack and John Nor- 
vill, Esq., Detroit." 

While there never has been a platted village 
within the township that was really settled, ham- 
lets early grew up known as Dover and Hudson. 
The surveyors in laying out the township blun- 
dered and the northern tier of sections contain 
only about three-fourths of their prescribed quota 
of land, while the western tier falls short from 
50 to 65 acres a section. 



The Huron has claimed its victims in Dexter. 
Emil Staebler's 7-year-old son, Ralph, was 
drowned in the Huron at Birkett's. Lewis 
Schoettle, while bathing at the Birkett bridge 
with thre companions after dark Sunday evening, 
August g, 1896, was drowned in nine feet of 
water. 

As noted above, Thomas M. Lee was the first 
supervisor. Among the other supervisors pre- 
vious to 1880 were: William A. Jones, who was 
first elected in 1844 and served in all 13 years, 
and Patrick Fleming, who served from 1869 to 
1875. Since 1880 the supervisors have been: 

James H. Lyman 1880-82 

Richard McQuillan 1883-84 

Charles Dwyer 1885-88 

Jacob Jedele 1889-92 

Thomas McQuillan 1893-95 

John D. Clark 1896-99 

Michael E. McGuire 1900-03 

John P. Walsh 1904 

FREEDOM. 

Freedom township was organized by an act of 
the territorial legislature approved March 7, 1834. 
In the December preceding, 22 inhabitants, who 
were seeking to constitute a township, met at 
the house of Henry M. Grifiin and on this oc- 
casion Alexander Peekins proposed that the name 
of the new township should be Freedom. Con- 
siderable interest was taken in the matter and a 
lively discussion followed, and finally a ballot was 
taken when it was found that the name Freedom 
had a large majority. The first township election 
was held April 7, 1834, at the house of Henry M. 
Griffin and Mr. Griffin was duly elected super- 
visor with David C. Raymond as township clerk. 
Settlers came in rapidly and were much annoyed 
by wolves, which frequented the township and 
did much damage. For instance, one night in 
1834 the wolves destroyed 20 sheep belonging 
to James Raymond. Of the earlier settlers in 
Freedom James W. Hill, Levi Rogers and Dr. 
Morgan were at various times elected to the state 
legislature. The first religious services were held 
in the township by an exhorter named B. F. Bur- 
nett, at the home of James W. Wills. Rev. 



762 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Arunah Bennett was the first ordained preacher 
to hold services in the township, in June, 1834. 
Rev. Frederick Schmid preached at the house of 
WiUiam Schuhz in 1835, 'i"^ '^ Lutheran church 
was organized in 1843 with the Rev. Mr. Schmid 
as pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. 
Wertliraht. the Rev. Mr. Klernigees, the Rev. 
Mr. Hildncr, the Rev. Mr. G. J. Hildner, the Rev. 
John Neuman, the Rev. Mr. Kunzler and otliers. 
A fine church was erected in 1856. Two other 
Lutheran churches were also organized within 
the township. The members of the first Lutheran 
churcli were Jacob Raab, George Scherds, Mat- 
thew Albcr, Adam Spathelf. Ernst Haarer, 
George Fuegel and George Schmirring. A 
Catholic church was built in 1839, two miles 
north of the present location of that church, and 
the first missionary priests were Rev. Mr. Kreutel 
and Rev. Mr. Bernick. 

In 1837 the inhabitants of Freedom, who num- 
bered at that time 795, possessed 70 horses, 1,030 
hogs and 798 head of neat stock, and harvested 
5,622 bushels of wheat, 5,137 bushels of corn 
and 7,485 bushels of oats. 

William O'Neil, 60 years old, was struck bv 
lightning in an open field in the afternoon of 
August 29, 1877 and instantly killed. 

William Schniering, in shooting an old horse 
for a neighbor, shot himself November 9, 1897. 
His first shot took little eflfect on the horse. His 
second shot at the horse struck Schniering him- 
self below the eye killing him instantly. It was 
thought that the horse had thrown the pistol up 
at the moment .Schniering was pulling the 
trigger. 

From the organization of the townshij) to 1880, 
the supervisors were: Henry M. Griffin, Reul^en 
Williams. Mr. Stunburg, William Osius, Elias 
Haire, Jacob Breining and John G. Feldkamp. 
Before 1880 Mr. Feldkamp had served 10 years 
as supervisor. Since 1880 the supervisors have 
been : 

John G. Feldkamp 1880-84 

Jacob Breining 1885-92 

Michael P. Alber 1893-96 

Frank Dettling 1897-98 

John Dresselhouse 1891-01 

Frank Dettling 1902-04 

Frank Koebbe 1905 



LIMA. 

The first township meeting in Lima was held 
in April, 1834. and was called to order by Russell 
Parker, John K. Bingham being chosen clerk, 
and Oliver L. Cooper judge of election. The 
following were elected as the first township 
officers : Supervisor, Russell Parker ; clerk, John 
K. Bingham ; assessors, Elijah Cooper, Darius 
Pierce and Lenuiel S. Scott ; constable and col- 
lector, Elias Easton ; commissioner of highways, 
Rodney Ackley, Samuel Cooper and John Davis; 
commissioners of common schools, Frederick S. 
Sheldon, Solomon Sutherland and Oliver S. 
Cooper ; directors of the poor, Samuel Clements 
and John Davis : inspectors of common schools, 
Sanuiel Bradley, Oliver L. Cooper, Darius Pierce, 
Elkanah Downer and Deacon G. Willits; pound- 
master, John Harford ; fence viewers, Curtiss 
Hurd, Joseph P. Riggs and John K. Bingham. 
This meeting was held at the house of John 
Harford and the .first act of the electors of the 
township was to pass a resolution that the town 
would pay a bounty on wolf scalps. 

-A postoffice was established in Lima, in 1832, 
and was first called Mill Creek, the name being 
afterwards changed to Lima. Asa Williams was 
the first postmaster, and a village was platted 
here in 1838 by W. A. Shaw, J. E. Freer and 
Abram Arnold. Previous to this quite a little 
settlement had grown up about Lima Center, 
which was thus described in the Michigan Ga- 
zeteer of 1837: "Lima Center, village and 
postoffice, Washtenaw county and township 
of Lima, pleasantly situated on a branch 
of Mill creek. Here are a nmuber of 
mechanics, a physician, two stores. The ter- 
ritorial road from Ann .\rbor to the mouth 
of the St. Joseph passes through il. 'I'liis place 
is quite thriving and there are large quantities of 
hydraulic power that might be used to advantage 
in the vicinity. The distance to Ann Arbor is 
set at 14 miles, and 52 miles to Detroit." The 
first store in Lima Center was opened by Rufus 
and William A. Grossman, and the second store 
by John Piacoii. It was the completion of the 
Michigan Central through Dexter to Jackson that 
side-tracked Lima Center and led to the decline 
of that hamlet and the building up of the thriv- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



763 



mg village of Chelsea on the west side of the 
railroad, and it was this fact that made it cer- 
tain that Lima would never become an incor- 
porated village. 

The second village was platted in Lima by John 
K. Bingham and called New Jerusalem. The 
"New" has been dropped from the name and 
the hamlet Jerusalem still exists, llingham built 
a sawmill here in 1832, and in i860 Palmer 
Westfall erected a grist mill. The second school 
in the township was organized at Jerusalem. The 
first school had been held in the house of Samuel 
Clements in the winter of 1831, and was taught 
by Abram Voeman and had between 15 and 20 
scholars. The school at Lima Center was the 
third organization, but the first schoolhouse 
erected in the township was built at Lima Cen- 
ter in 1835. 

The first inhabitant in Lima known to have 
suffered on account of his temperance proclivities 
was William C. Lemon, who attempted to erect 
his house in Jime, 1830, without supplying the 
neighbors who assisted him with the customary 
whisky, .\fter the walls of the house had been 
set up to the first floor the neighbors asked for 
some whisky. Lemon offered them water and 
the first strike in the township of Lima was on. 
The strike lasted about a week, when General 
Asa Williams urged Lemon's neighbors to assist 
him in completing the house on the ground that 
they should not let his famih- suffer because of 
his temperance fanaticism. 

The first religious services in I^inia are be- 
lieved to have been held by Elder Carpenter, a 
Baptist minister, who held services and religious 
meetings at the house of Samuel Clements once 
every four weeks from 1 831 to 1834. In the 
spring of 1832 Rev. E. H. Pilcher and Rev. E. 

C. Gavit, who was traveling the Methodist Epis- 
copal Ann Arbor circuit, preached every two 
weeks at the house of Rev. Arannah Bennett. In 
that fall Rev. William M. Sullivan and Luther 

D. \\'hitney continued these meetings. About 
this time a Baptist congregation met at New 
Jerusalem under the care of Rev. Mr. Danielson, 
who lived in Sharon, .\bout 1835 a Congrega- 
tional church was started at Lima Center in 
charge of the Rev. H. H. Northrup, who was 



then supplying at Dexter. The Presbyterians 
erected the first church on land donated by John 
Harford and Asa Williams. This church was 
never alile to lift a mortgage upon it and the 
building was finally sold under the mortgage and 
passed into the hands of the township and was 
used as a town hall. A Methodist church was 
built at Lima Center in 1849. The first Christian 
minister who lived in the township was Rev. 
Arannah I!cnnett. a local elder of the ]\1. E. 
church. He cultivated a large farm during the 
week and preached somewhere nearly every Sun- 
day. In the absence of a regular minister he 
held religious services among his neighbors and 
he was often called upon to travel many miles 
to hold funeral services. Dr. Hiram Downer, Dr. 
\VilIiam H. Bassac and Dr. Samuel B. Bradley 
ministered to the sick in the early history of the 
township. 

Lafayette Grange was organized in the town- 
ship in October, 1873, and has proven of great 
aid to the farmers who have cultivated at its meet- 
ings and at the meetings of the Lima Farmers' 
Clul) the faculty of expressing themselves in 
public. Lima, in 1837. had a population of 895. 
It boasted of one sawmill, two stores, 145 horses, 
978 sheep. 1,182 hogs and 1,233 head of neat 
stock and there had been raised in the township 
during the preceding year 14,070 bushels of 
wheat. 6.402 bushels of corn, 21,293 bushels of 
oats, 1 ,23 1 bushels of buckwdieat and 220 pounds 
of flax. 

August Nottwang and John Vigand, two farm 
hands, were drowned in Four Mile lake Monday 
afternoon, August 19, 1901. They left their 
horse in the barn of Henry Heininger near the 
lake and rented a boat. As they did not return 
that evening search was made for them next 
morning. Their clothing was found on the banks 
of the lake and their boat bottom side up. The 
bodies were recovered Tuesday evening. It was 
thought that they went in swimming and were 
unable to get in their boat. 

Miss Lizzie Dancer, aged fifteen, who was re- 
turning from Ann Arbor where she was attend- 
ing school, was killed at Mill Creek, December 
■5- 'QO,^- Her line broke and the horse ran away, 
throwing Miss Dancer out of her cutter on the 



764 PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 

Mill Creek bridge. Her skull was fractured and early happenings in the township were tragic, in- 

death came quickly. deed. A. M. Gilbert, who settled in the township 

The supervisors of Lima have been : in 1826, died two years later, leaving a wife and 

Russell Parker 1834-6 ten children. Shortly after this the eldest son, 

Rodney Ackley 1837-40 Orrin Gilbert, was lost while hunting and when 

Russell Whipple 1841 his body was found it was seen that he had per- 

Darius Pierce 1842-3 ished from starvation. In his fight for existence 

John L. Clements 1844 he had even eaten the fingers of both his hands. 

William Warner 1845-7 Among the first ministers to preach in Lodi were 

Darius Pierce 1848 Elder Twist, a Baptist, Rev. Ira Weed, a Presby- 

William Warner 1849 terian and Rev. E. W. Pilcher, a Methodist. 

Darius Pierce 1850 Services were at first held in private houses but 

Philip Staring 185 1-3 in 1829 a log schoolhouse built at Lodi Plains 

Morris Thompson 1854 was used for the double purpose of a school and a 

William Warner 1855 church. In February. 1836, the Presbyterian 

Darius Pierce 1856 church of Lodi was organized by the Rev. Ira M. 

Morris Thompson 1857-8 Weed. Timothy Hunt, a Baptist in belief, gener- 

Darius Pierce 1859 ously donated five acres of land for the church 

Russell Whipple i860 and parsonage and upon this a frame church was 

Morris Thompson 1861-5 erected in the winter of 1837, the Rev. J. B. 

Russell Whipple 1866-7 Kanouse being the first pastor. Later this church 

George S. Freer 1868-70 was reorganized in 1854 as the Independent 

Cliauncey B. Ste&dman 1870 Church of Lodi, and in 1854 the church building 

Ebenezer Smith 1871 was sold to the Baptist church of North Adams, 

Nathan Pierce 1872-3 to which place it was moved. The pastors of the 

Byron C. Whitaker 1874 church from the time of its organization have 

Nathan Pierce 1875-6 been Rev. J. B. Kanouse, Rev. A. B. Corning. 

Charles Whitaker 1877-9 Rev. H. B. McMatli. Rev. L. M. Glover, Rev. C. 

Finley B. Whitaker 1879 G. Clark and Rev. Justin Marsh. There is not to- 

Walter H. Dancer 1880-1 day in Lodi either a church, a grist mill, a saloon, 

Marcus S. Cook 1882-3 or a village. In 1847 Professor Nutting estab- 

John V. N. Gregory 1884-90 lished an academy on Lodi Plains and a building 

Walter H. Dancer 1890 for it was erected in that year. This academy was 

Fred Wedemever 1891-2 carried on for ten years and was quite famous, 

Walter H. Dancer 1893-5 many who became prominent in later years hav- 

David E. Beach 1896-01 ing graduated from it. It drew scholars from a 

Fred C. Haise 1902 long distance and contributed largely to the social 

and intellectual advancement of the township. 

LODI. The academy was carried on by Professor Nut- 
ting until his advanced age forced him to give up 

Lodi township was organized by an act of the the enterprise, 

legislature March 7, 1834, and the first authorized In 1837 the township of Lodi contained a popu- 

township meeting was held at the house of Orrin lation of 1,063 and it boasted of 161 horses, 987 

Howe. As early as 1 83 1, however, at attempt had sheep, 1,859 hogs and 955 head of neat stock. 

been made to organize a township government, During this year it had produced 17,236 bushels 

and at an election in that year Orrin Howe and of wheat, 9,252 bushels of corn, 17,130 bushels of 

Smith Lapham were chosen justices of the peace oats, 519 bushels of buckwheat and 385 pounds of 

and Jonathan Hatch town clerk. Some of the flax. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



765 



On June 14. 1882. tlie i5-\eai--()ld dauglitor of 
Frank I'inger was killed while riding on a wagon 
on some loose boards which slipped in going down 
liill. She was thrown on one of the wdieels and 
her neck broken, d\ing instantly. 

The supervisors since 1880 have been : 

Alichael Staebler 1880-1 

Egnert P. Harper 1882-3 

Michael Staebler 1884 

Leopold Blaess 1 885 

James Sage 1 886-7 

George J. Mann 1888-9 

Lester J. Sweetland 1890-1 

Michael Sage 1892-3 

Michael Grosshans 1894-5 

Ira E. Wood 1896-7 

Daniel Sevier 1898-9 

Ira E. Wood 1900-01 

Michael F. Grosshans 1902 

LYNDON. 

The township of Lj'ndon was organized in 1836 
and the first election held on April i, 1837, with 
forty-two voters participating, resulted in the 
selection of Horace Leek as supervisor and Jesse 
Rose as town clerk. Every voter in the town- 
ship was thought to ha^•e been present at this elec- 
tion. When the census was taken in that year it 
was found that the township had a population of 
361, who rode thirty-two horses, sheared seven- 
teen sheep and had 417 hogs which the}' hoped 
to put in their pork barrels. In that year the in- 
habitants raised 6,002 bushels of wheat. 1.879 
bushels of corn, 3,665 bushels of oats. 988 Inishels 
of buckwheat and 150 pounds of flax. The town- 
ship never became thickly populated. A large 
portion of the township is under water and the 
lakes are very numerous, some of them being 
very beautiful. Among the lakes are South lake, 
Collin's lake, Gruen lake. Island lake, Gorman's 
lake, Clark's lake, Watson's lake. Cassidy's lake, 
Sugar Loaf lake, Mud lake, Boyce lake. Spruce 
lake, Sullivan lake. Wild Goose lake. Half Moon 
lake, Blind lake, Eagle lake, Daniel's lake, Wes- 
sell's lake, Moran lake. Rook lake, Moore lake, 
and many others. There are no churches, villages 
or postofifices within the tow^iship, wdiich is purely 
46 



an agricultural one. There has not been a hotel 
in the township for over sixty years. In the 
early days houses of entertainment were kept by 
Wade. Snyder. Buck, Mosier and Healy. Mr. 
Wade's tavern has been described as a log house 
covered with bark, with a log shelf resting on 
pins driven into the sidewall on which w^as a bot- 
tle of whisky, a drinking glass and a broken 
pitcher. The first private school in the township 
was conducted by Miss Angel Green and the first 
district school ])y John K. Yocum, who held school 
in a log building erected in the fall of 1837. 
Lyndon has furnished one member of Congress 
in the Hon. James S. Gorman, now of Chelsea, 
who, when elected to congress in 1890, was a 
Lyndon farmer. 

The supervisors of Lyndon from its organiza- 
tion in 1837 down to 1880 were : Horace Leek, 
Selah B. Collins, Wm. Wilcox, E. L. Day, John 
K. Yocum, Thomas Clark. Washington Beeman. 
Geo. Rowe. Wm. Wessell. Thomas Young and 
Benj. C. Boyce. From 1880 the supervisors of 
the township have been : 

Benjamin C. Boyce 1880 

John Clark 1881-2 

Fred A. Howlett 1883-6 

Thomas Young, Jr 1887-94 

James Howlett 1895-8 

William B. Collins 1899 

George Runciman 1900-02 

Edward Gorman 1903 

George Runciman 1904 

MANCHESTER. 

The first township meeting in the newly or- 
ganized township of Manchester was held at the 
schoolhouse in the village of Manchester on Mon- 
day, April 3. 1837, less tlian a month after the 
legislature had passed a law separating Manches- 
ter from Bridgewater, the two townships having 
previously constituted the township of Hixon. 
James H. Fargo was the moderator of this meet- 
ing, Joshua L. Smith, William S. Carr and Levi 
B. Pratt, the inspectors of election, and William 
D. Clark, secretary. James H. Fargo was elected 
supervisor, having received seventy-eight votes 
to one from George J. Parker and one for John 



766 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



B. Crane. The other tnwnship officers elected at 
this time were : Clerk — WiUiain D. Clark ; Justices 
— Samuel Palmer, Joseph S. Clark and Fordyce 
Foster : Assessors — Joshua L. Smith, James 
Stevens and Thomas Morgan ; Commissioners of 
Highways — Erastus Palmer, Levi B. Pratt and 
Henry Hall : School ln.s.pectors — John B. Case, 
Thomas Stockwell and John B. Crane; Overseers 
of the Poor — Morris Frost, Levi B. Pratt; Con- 
stables — George Roberts and Samuel W. Foster ; 
and Collector — George Roberts. There was some- 
what of a contest for one of the justices, for 
which office Fordyce Foster received forty-four 
votes and Morris Foster thirty-five. The path 
masters, elected by viva voce vote at this meet- 
ing, were Thomas Green. Daniel Cross, Zenas 
Root, James H. Fargo, George Roberts, Joseph 
Noves and Fred Valentine. These men were also 
made fence viewers and pound masters. A bounty 
of $io was. offered for each wolf killed and $25 
was voted for the support of the poor of the town- 
ship. Mr. Roberts resigning the office of col- 
lector and constable in October. William Carter 
was elected by the town board in his place. Many 
of the older settlers of Manchester had come from 
Manchester, New York. The Indians had a high 
sounding name for the township: "Mashawesid 
Senibawegin."' ^.lanchester village, one of the 
best villages of the county, stands on land taken 
up from the government by John Gilbert, who 
chose the land for the express purpose of start- 
ing a village. Mr. Gilbert built a grist mill on 
his land and let the contract for its construction 
to Emanuel Case. Emanuel Case also built a 
sawmill for Major Gilbert in 1832, which was the 
first sawmill in the townshi]). Case also built the 
first hotel, which was located where the Freeman 
house now is, in the same year. In 1833 'h^ ^^^' 
ritorial government appointed Mr. Case a justice 
and he acted in that capacity until the township 
of Manchester was reorganized. The inhabitants 
of Manchester village in 1834 were William S. 
and Elijah G. Carr, JJenjamin and Emanuel Case, 
and Mrs. Annabel and J. Soule. William S. 
Carr ran a store and Soule ran a sawmill. In 
this same year the first schoolhouse in the village 
of Manchester was built by Lewis Allen. At this 
time a bridge built of poles spanned the River 



Raisin, and in November, 1834, Dr. Bennett F. 
Root, the first physician in the township of Man- 
chester, then a man of seventy-one years of age, 
fell through this bridge into the river, but for- 
tunately escaped with his life. Dr. Root came to 
^[anchester with his two brothers in 1834 and was 
kept very busy owing to the needs of the early 
settlers, nearly all of whom came down with 
the ague or intermittent fever shortly after they 
begun plowing their land. Some days he was 
obliged to prescribe for forty or fifty people within 
twenty-four hours : yet. notwithstanding the many 
cases of sickness there were few deaths in the 
township in 1838. A distillery was started by 
Barnabus Case and Benjamin Davis, and shortly 
afterwards Elias Fountain, John Faulkner, Benja- 
min iM'ench and F. Freeman purchased an interest 
in it. The same year a wildcat bank was started 
with (!ieorge Howe as president and James Erwin 
as cashier. At this time it was supposed that 
Manchester would become a city and a number 
of young men from the east, hoping to locate in 
business in a growing town, chose ^Manchester 
in preference to Ann Arbor as a location. For 
some years an agitation was on foot to separate 
the western tier of townships of Washtenaw 
county and the eastern tier of townships of Jack- 
son count\' and form a new county of which 
Alanchester should be the county seat, but this 
plan never materialized, and so, although Man- 
chester has continued to have a steady growth 
for many years, it still remains a village, but 
one of the best of the villages of Washtenaw 
county. The pioneers were called out during 
the Black Hawk war under the expectation that 
it would reach Washtenaw, and were placed under 
arms under Colonel Fellows ; liut the war scare 
died down as the Sac warriors were never allowed 
to get within several hundred miles of Washte- 
naw. Manchester furnished her quota of troops 
in the Toledo war and they also were placed under 
the command of Colonel James H. Fellows, and 
occupied the disputed stri]) of land as an army 
of occupation for the period of three months. 

\\y 1837 Manchester had a grist mill, three 
sawmills and six merchants. It was. however, 
not incorporated as a village until 1867. when a 
charter was obtained. The first officers elected 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



767 



were : President, Newman Granger ; recorder, 
Alvinza S. Dowdy ; treasurer, Philetus Coon ; 
trustees, Munson Goodyear, Marcus D. Case, 
Conrad Lehn, Joseph Ottmar, and James S. Rey- 
nolds. Through the efforts of the Hon. J. D. 
Corey, then a member of the Michigan house 
of representatives, the necessary bill of incorpor- 
ation had been passed. Mr. Corey was also a 
state senator in 1875. He was a pioneer who had 
come into Washtenaw from New York in 1833, 
locating at Lodi. moving to Sharon, and after- 
wards to Manchester. He was a very successful 
business man and gave $4,000 towards the con- 
struction of the Detroit and Hillsdale road, now 
the Ypsilanti and Hillsdale branch of the Lake 
Shore. He was one of the first directors of that 
road. The building of this Detroit and Hillsdale 
road occasioned much excitement at JManchester, 
the citizens of the town believing that the build- 
ing of this road would be of great advantage 
to them. A special meeting was held on May 13, 
1869. at which a township meeting was called in 
regular form for June 7, 1869, to vote upon the 
question of bonding the township for $50,000 to 
aid in the building of this road. The vote re- 
sulted 342 in favor and 199 against the ])roposi- 
tion. The bonds were duly issued but subse- 
(|uently. upon the outcome of a contest against 
the legality of such bonds made by the township 
of Salem, the Manchester bonds were surrendered 
to the township and burned. The citizens of the 
township, however, who wanted the road, volun- 
tarily subscribed $30,000 towards its completion. 
The road was built and the first train passed 
through Manchester on September 23, 1870. 

The Manchester Union Guards were organized 
under the militia laws of the state in 1857. When 
the Civil war broke out in 1861 they were one 
of the companies which constituted the First 
Michigan regiment, the advance guards of the 
western regiments in Washington, and the first 
Union regiment to cross the Potomac over onto 
Virginia soil. 

As has been stated, the first plat of Manchester 
village was made by Dr. John Gilbert. It com- 
prised twenty-two blocks and included the streets 
called Exchange Place, Grove, Jackson, Bovnc, 
Union, Alacomb. Washington, Clinton and Rail- 



road. In 1837 a second plat was made of twenty- 
nine blocks, twenty-one of which were east of the 
river and eight west of the river and north of the 
original plat. Granger and Morgan shortly added 
six more blocks, Collin's first addition added 
seven more and his seconil five, Torrey's addi- 
tion increased the number by seven and in 1868 
the Corey addition was platted north of the De- 
troit and Hillsdale road. Subsequently Barnabas 
Case platted forty acres known as Case's addi- 
tion. 

The first of die large number of brick build- 
ings now ill Manchester was erected in 1837 by 
\\'illiam S. Carr, and used as a store; and John 
Keyes built the second brick store in 1838. J. D. 
Corey erected the first brick store on the east 
side of the river in 1858. Manchester was visited 
by a big fire on May i, 1853, which broke out in 
the Manchester Flouring Mills and before the 
fire could be stopped it had destroyed the mills, 
fourteen business houses and one dwelling. The 
total loss was placed at $50,000, of which $20,000 
was on the mills. With characteristic energy the 
inhabitants of the village set about to rebuild. 

The first paper in Manchester was established 
in October, 1867, by George .\. Spafford, who 
published it until October, 1868. when it was 
purchased by Matt D. Blosser, who still continues 
to run it after the lapse of thirty-seven vears, and 
no one who looks at Mr. Blosser would for a 
moment suspect that he is old enough to have 
lieen in the newspaper business for that length 
of time. For thirty-eight years Manchester has 
had one of the best local papers in the county. 
For occasional periods it has had a second paper 
but the Manchester Enterprise is the old standby 
of the western part of the county and has done 
much towards the aiding and building up of Man- 
chester. 

The- union school building in .Manchester was 
built in 1867. the year which also saw the incor- 
l)oration of the village and the starting of its first 
newspaper. This building cost $25,000 and the 
last of the bonds issued to pay for its erection was 
paid in 1880. 

.\ Presbyterian church society was organized 
at the house of William Root, December 27, 1835, 
and was originally called the First Presbyterian 



768 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



church of Bridgewater and Sharon. Its original 
members were WiUiam J. Durand.Abijah Marvin, 
WilHam and Phoebe Ruckman, Micali and Char- 
lotte Porter. John McMahon, Anne Annabil, 
Betsey Dorr, Lucinda Root, Bennett F. Root, Mr. 
and Mrs. William Root, Rhoda Root, William 
F. and Lucinda Crafts and John Ruckman. Rev. 
A. B. Corning was the first pastor for three years, 
commencing April 3, 1836. The first elders were 
Abijah Marvin, William Root and William F. 
Crafts. In January, 1838, the name of the church 
was changed to the First Presbyterian church of 
Manchester. Rev. Mr. Corning was succeeded 
by Rev. Silas W^oodbury in 1839 and the subse- 
quent pastors were: Henry Tucker, 1845- 1846: 
W. S. Taylor, 1846-1849; Samuel Fleming, 1849- 
1852; W. Wastell, 1852-1854; J. W. Baynes, 
1854-1857; W. S. Clark, 1857-1858; Benjamin 
Russell, 1858-1864; R. S. McCarthy, 1864-1866: 
T. L. Waldo, 1871-1873: D. R. Shrop, 1875- 1876; 
W. F. :\Iatthews, 1879. Rev. Mr. Wallace was 
the last pastor. The society disbanded and their 
church was sold to the i\lethodists. 

The Baptist church was organized February 17, 
1836, at the house of James Stevens. Services, 
however, had previously been held. The original 
members were Airs. James Stevens, James Now- 
land, Sophia and Josephine Fellows, jMr. and Mrs. 
Samuel Palmer, W^illiam Palmer, and ]Mr. and 
Mrs. David Fitzgerald. Rev. E. H. Hamlin was 
the first resident pastor. Previous to 1838 it was 
called the First Baptist Church of the North Bank 
of the Raisin, but in that year the name w-as 
changed to the First Baptist Church of Man- 
chester. The pastors succeeding Mr. Hamlin 
were the Revs. J. T. Fulton, Thomas H. Facer, 
W. G. Wisner, E. Royce, E. Tenney, J. Smith, 
J. Bloomer, William Tilley, A. McLean, J.' M. 
Titterington, J. P. Tompkins, F. S. Lyon. Wil- 
liam S. Palmer, C. M. Fellows. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
in 1839 ''"'i Rev. George Bradley was the first 
pastor. Samuel Doty was class leader and the first 
nine members were Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Doty, 
Mr. and Mrs. LeMore, Miss LeMore, Mr. and 
Mrs. Thomas Ingraham and Mr. and Mrs. Prosper 
Wheeler. The first church was built in 1854 and 
cost $1,600 and an addition was built ten years 



later which also cost $1,600. In the '80s the Pres- 
byterian church building was purchased and has 
since been thoroughly overhauled and repaired. 

The Universalist church was organized March 
15, 1846. Thomas L. Spafiford, Chandler Carter 
and .\lanson Case were elected the first trustees 
and William S. Stowell the first clerk. The voters 
at tliis first election were Thomas L. Spafiford, 
Joseph S. Clark, William Andrews, Tolman Case, 
Franklin Freeman, William S. Stowell, Chand- 
ler Carter, Barnabas Case, Alanson Case, Russell 
Bodine, Thomas Morgan and Morgan Carpenter. 
Rev. T. C. Adams was the first pastor and was 
succeeded by the Rev. G. B. Gilman, who was 
l)astor for over twenty-five years. 

In 1866 Rev. J. J. Hildner organized the Ger- 
man Lutheran church and among the first mem- 
bers were John Aloehn, Mr. and Mrs. Fred 
Kurfess, Mrs. Heimendinger and John Schlecht. 
The early pastors of this church, besides Mr. Hild- 
ner. have been Rev. John Neuman, Rev. Mr. 
Edelstein, and Rev. Philip Wehrheim. 

The Catholic church was first established as a 
mission by Rev. Mr. \'anliew in 1870 and among 
the original congregation were William Kirch- 
gessner, George and Peter Cash, IM. Daly, James 
Kelly, y\. Kirk, William Kirk, John Kirk, M. 
Eg-an, P. McMahon, L. Kirk. R. Green, Conrad 
Lehn, John Haag, Charles Singer and the 
Cavanaugh brothers. 

Manchester has two banks, the People's Bank, 
and for many \ears the only bank in the village, 
the principal owner of which has been Mr. L. D. 
Watkins, and tlie Union Savings Bank. 

In 1837 Manchester had a population of 805 
that possessed 82 horses, 74 sheep, 678 head of 
neat stock, and 966 hogs, and raised during the 
preceding year 8,797 bushels of wheat, 5,258 
bushels of corn and 4,740 bushels of oats. 

Flora Adams, a young girl, while standing in 
a chair hanging clothes on a line on the back 
porch of William Lehr's home, was killed May 
23, 1890, by the line breaking, carrying her over 
the railing. She fell head foremost a distance of 
fifteen feet, fractured her skull and broke her 
neck. 

The Southern Washtenaw Farmers' Club, the 
pioneer farmers' club in Michigan, was organized 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



769 



in the People's Bank office in Manchester, March 
8, 1877, with David G. Rose, of Sharon, presi- 
dent ; James Shorts, Bridgewater, John G. Eng-- 
Hsh, Manchester, and Samuel Cushman, Sliaron, 
vice-presidents ; W. W. Hess, Bridgewater, secre- 
tary, and Frank Spaflford, of Manchester, treas- 
urer. 

The supervisors of the to\vnshi]i have been : 

James H. Fargo 1838-9 

Luther Field 1840 

John Howland 1841 

Barnabas Case 1842 

William S. Carr 1843 

Alanson Case 1844 

Jeremiah D. Corey 1845 

Alanson Case 1 846 

Newsman Granger 1847-8 

Barnabas Case 1849 

Newman Granger 1 850-1 

Oliver Nichols 1852 

Newman Granger 1853 

Jeremiah D. Corey 1 854 

William S. Carr 1855 

Newman Granger i83f> 

Abraham Brumfield 1857 

Volney Chapman 1858-60 

Philetus Coon 1861-4 

Arthur Case 1865-6 

Newman Granger 1867-9 

Isaac Magoon 1870 

Newman Granger 1871 

Horatio Burch 1872-88 

William Burtless 1889-92 

Willis L. Watkins 1893-4 

William Burtless 1895 

Willis L. Watkins 1896 

William Burtless 1897-9 

William Amspoker 1900 

Henry J. Landwehr 1901 

N'ORTIIFIICLD. 

In the fall of 1832 the people of what is now 
Xorthfield desired to become a township by them- 
selves and held a meeting at the house of P.enja- 
min Sutton to take measures of secession. Thev 
decided to petition the legislative council, and in 
the winter of 1832 they were authorized to form a 
township government of their own and to elect 



officers on the first Monday in April, 1833. A 
caucus to nominate township officers was held at 
the house of Harry Seymour at Whitmore Lake, 
and Stephen Lee presided. The first man to be 
nominated for the office of supervisor was Rufus 
Matthews, the nomination of whose name caused 
Chairman Lee to jump upon a large stump stand- 
ing in the yard and call upon all the anti-Masons 
present to withdraw and make out a ticket of their 
own to be supported at the coming election. A 
number accompanied Mr. Lee and an anti-Ma- 
sonic ticket was made out, so that at the first 
township meeting two tickets were in the field. 
The election was held at the house of Benjamin 
Sutton and Rufus Matthews acted as moderator, 
with George Sutton as clerk. The board was 
made up of J. G. Leland. justice. A. F. Schoff 
and James Barr. clerks. The following township 
ticket was elected : Supervisor — John Renwick ; 
Township Clerk — George Sutton ; .\ssessors — 
Frederick Smith, Gilbert .A^. Gardner and Abijah 
SchofY ; Overseers of the Poor — Nicholas Groves 
and Joseph Lora ; Commissioners of Highways — • 
Philander JMurray, .\sahel Hubbard and Joseph 
I^ora : Committee on Schools — Joshua G. Leland, 
-Abijah F. Schofl:' and .\saher Hubbard : School 
Inspectors — Gilbert .\. Gardner, Frederick Smith 
and Thomas J. Tettis ; Constables — Thomas J. 
Tettis and Marvel Secord. 

Xorthfield contains a number nf lakes, the most 
im])ortant of which is Whitmore lake, a summer 
resort for .\nn Arbor and Toledo citizens, and 
around wliicli a thriving village has been growing 
u]! in later \'ears. The other lakes include Horse- 
shoe lake. Dead lake, Mud lake and Jack lake. 
Hon. Geo. Sutton in one of his numerous pioneer 
articles tells of hunting elk, deer, etc., in North- 
field as follows : 

".Vt the first settlement of Washtenaw ciuntv, 
it was thought that some jiortions of its northern 
divisions would not admit of settlement on ac- 
covmt of the mmicrous lakes and marshes. North- 
field was particularly well suiiplied with marshes 
as well as lakes and here it was that the sportsman 
could find his ideal pleasure. Deer was very 
alinndant and on one occasion at least the noble 
elk was shot in the town. This was in the vear 
1828 and the hunt mav thus be detailetl. 



//l^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



"There was a large marsh at the head of 
Horseshoe lake on section i6. known as the 
"school marsh." Here grew a fine quality of wild 
grass, called "blue joint." The few settlers for 
many miles distant repaired to this marsh late in 
the summer to cut hay for winter use. The grass 
was cut and cured in the sun, and put in stacks to 
be hauled home in the winter with ox team and 
sledge. On one occasion when ^Ir. \\'illiam .\llen 
with his ox team and son to help load the hay, 
was on his way back from the marsh to the hay 
stack, and in sight of the stack, he saw an elk 
going on a trot directly toward the ha\- stack, 
which had been partly haided away. The elk 
jumped on the stack and commenced to eat hay. 
.\llen left his ox team in care of his son and re- 
turned home to get Mr. Noyes and his rifle to 
shoot the elk. When he got back, the elk had left. 
Xoves and two Indians followed on the trail for 
two days and returned with the carcass of the 
only elk ever seen in Xorthfield. A few years aft- 
erwards ^Ir. Allen had a frame barn erected, and 
the elk"s horns were fastened on the cone of the 
roof. Those enormous horns did not remain on 
the barn long. A gentleman from Xew York, by 
the name of Williams, who was "looking land." 
took a special liking to them, and bought them of 
Mr. Allen. It is a pity that such a fine set of 
antlers as tliose were could not have been saved 
as a memento for our own historical museimi. 

"But although we have no other account of any 
elk having set foot in Xorthfield. many sportsmen 
found deer which were very abundant. The 
swails and willow swamps afforded good hiding 
places during the day. It was the habit of the 
deer to remain hidden until about one hour before 
sunset, when hunger would drive them out from 
their beds to feed. Then was the time for the 
wily huntsman to make ready for the sports of the 
evening. He proceeded to the hunting ground 
with the clear opening on one side and a thicket 
en the other, and either sat down to wait for the 
approach of deer, or walked cautiously over the 
ground without making the least noise, that he 
might approach the animal near enough for a 
shot before his approach was suspected. The 
morning practice of hunting was like the evening, 
but generally attended with better success. The 



sportsman walked against the wind, as the deer 
was very sensitive to hearing and smelling, and 
many a fine carcass of venison he secured. 

"Prairie chickens, partridges, quail, ducks and 
wild turkeys were abundant. 

"It seemed as though the woods were full of 
wild honey. The first settler had plenty of honey 
the year round. -\ bee tree was cut one fall which 
contained more than one hundred pounds of 
honey. This tree was on the farm now owned by 
.\nthony Burk. 

"The lakes abounded with choice ^'arieties of 
fish. There were no angle wonns to be had in 
those days, tlie fisherman used for bait minnows 
cut in long strips and put on the fish hook. For 
pickerel, pike and bl?.ck bass different bait was 
required, such as red flannel and deer"s hair at- 
tached on the hook and tied to a trolling line. The 
sportsman when ready for a voyage around the 
lake had to look up a boat which was usually a 
dugout or a birch bark canoe which required a 
great deal of care in rowing. 

"In the times of the early settlement, it was 
necessary for the settlers to start early so as to 
reach home before dark, as there were no roads 
excepting Indian trails and marked trees for their 
guide. 

".\mong the thousand of marshes seen spread 
over the country, not one could be found where 
the beavers had not at some remote time made a 
dam at the outlet. This fact, that dams are so 
numerous, shows that great numbers of them 
once lived there. The last otter that was seen in 
Xorthfield was found on the banks of Horseshoe 
lake near the cove, in a hollow tree with a brood 
of little ones. Martens were scarce but minks 
were plenty, and there are a few left yet. For- 
merly musk rats were in great abundance, but the 
drainage of the marshes has broken up their har- 
boring places. The last resort of the sportsman 
was rabbits and woodcocks, but these, too, have 
di.sappeared." 

The first drove of cattle brought into the town- 
ship was purchased by Benjamin Sutton in Ohio 
in 1 83 1, and the following year he brought in the 
second drove from Illinois. In Tune. 1830. Na- 
than Sutton arrived, accompanied by his wife, his 
sons George, Isaac, Isaac's wife, his daughter 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



//' 



]\lrs. Xixoii, her husband Mr. Nixon, and two 
jjrandchildren. the children of his daughters. The 
Suttons liave always occupied a i)rominent place 
in the history of Xorthfield townshij). ( ieorge W. 
.Sutton was supervisor as early as J 838, and for a 
ninnher of years afterwards. He was a member 
of the .Michigan legislature in 1875. His sun, 
.Xatlian E. Sutton, was also su])ervisor for a num- 
ber of years and he was a memlier of the legis- 
lature in 1885. Ceorge .Sutton died in 1889. Mi- 
chael 1 '. .Stubbs. who settled in the township in 
1830, was a member of the convention which met 
in Detroit Ma\- 11. 1833, to adopt the first con- 
stitution of tile proposed new state of Michigan. 
He was also a delegate to the first convention of 
assent, held in Ann Arbor, Sept. 26, 1836, which 
rejected the act of Congress admitting Michigan 
into the L'nion because of the cutting off of To- 
ledo and vicinity from Michigan territory. Rufus 
Matthews, who came into Xorthfield in 1831, rep- 
resented the township on the board of supervisors 
for .some years and was one of the commissioners 
who located the county poor farm and superin- 
tended the location of the county house. He built 
the first frame bridge over the Huron river at 
.\nn .\rbor in 1832. He died in i86'^. John 
Keenan came frfjni the east in 1830 and he is de- 
scribed by his neighbors as a man of fine stature. 
a nobleman by nature, a man of integrity and a 
lover of. justice. Christian Zook settled on the 
banks of W'hitmore lake before 1830. He came 
from Pennsylvania, and in 1834 undertook to 
start the manufacture of silk in Washtenaw and 
set out a number of mulberry trees for the ]>tir- 
pose of feeding silk worms. Harris Seymour lo- 
cated near W'hitmore lake in 1831 im land within 
the present villa.ge. lie was em])loyed as man- 
ager of lirown brothers at .\nn .\rbor, when that 
was the largest mercantile establishment west of 
Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. (iilbert .\. ( lardner came 
in 1831 and .Mr. Cardner died in 1836, his wife 
returning east. In 1836 she married Xathan Sal- 
ver and with him returned to Xorthfield in 1839. 
Mr. Salyer was one of the state legislators in 
1849. after having been supervisor of the town- 
ship, i foil. Joshua (':. l.cland arrived in Xorth- 
field from Madison county. Xew York, in 1831 
and was a justice of the peace as early as 1833. 
He was also a member of the state legislature in 



1844 and 1846 and took a conspicuous ])art during 
the jjassage of the act selling the Michi.gan Cen- 
tral Railroad. His son, Judge Emory Iceland, has 
been su])ervisor of Xorthfield and is at present 
the ])robate judge of Washtenaw county, .\aron 
r>. \'an Ktta came from .\'ew York to .Xorthfield 
in 1832 and died in 1877, leaving six children. 
Thomas T',arle came in 1833, and later moved to 
Ann .\rbor, where he died in 1882. Michael Prin- 
dle. of Scotch descent, arrived in 1830. George 
-Sessions, whose father was one of the Boston Tea 
Party, whose acts were one of the exciting causes 
of the Revolution, came in 1833. He died about 
a year after reaching Xorthfield, leaving a wife 
and eight ciiildren. the youngest of whom was J. 
Q. A. Sessions, now of Ann Arbor. Robert Shaw 
came to Xorthfield from PIngland in 1833. Mi- 
chael Onigley also arrived in 1833. 

Thomas McKernan came from Ireland by way 
of Orange county, Xew York, and settled here in 
1830. and brought up a family of ten children. 
Martin ( )'Connor came from Ireland to Con- 
necticut and from there to Xorthfield in 1832. 
where he died in 1878 leaving nine children. Pat- 
rick (]ibney, a native of Ireland, settled in Xorth- 
field in 1833. Thomas Haran came in 1834, Ed- 
mund Clancy came in 1835, and Edmund Comis- 
key in the same year. Tliomas Ryan and Patrick 
\\ all came in 1836. Patrick Will was supervisor 
of Xorthfield for some years and was a political 
])o\ver in the townshijx Patrick .Sheeliy came in 
1839 from Ireland, at the age of 13 years. John 
Shannahan came in 1S40: and so did Richard 
Roach. Michael Partel came in 1841. Calvin 
Holmes, who came from Monroe county, Xew 
"S'ork, arrived in Xorthfield on .Ma\- 17. 1832. He 
had located his land here the year previous, and 
when two miles south of his land was comi^elled 
to send the teams which brought his goods back 
to Detroit as there was no road the rest of the 
way. With oxen borrowed from Philander Mur- 
ray, he moved the goods the rest of the way into 
his log house which he had built the year before. 
The goods that he prized as of the mo.st value to 
him which he brought con.sisted of a barrel of 
flour and a barrel of pork. Robert FlintofF came 
from England in 183CJ. John P)rokaw came in 
1838. Christian F. Kapp came before 1840. 

While the Sutton schoolhouse, built in 1838. 



77-2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



was the first schoolhouse in the county according 
to most of the early settlers, Nelson Brundige was 
of the opinion that the first schoolhouse in the 
township was Iniilt in 1826 and that the first 
school was taught by Sally Ann (ireen. The Sut- 
ton schoolhouse in 1830 has been described as 
built of logs with a small window beside the door 
and a four-]iane sash on the other side of the 
house, giving only a small amount of light. The 
hearth was made of mortar cement and the chim- 
ney was laid with undressed stone for about finir 
feet, the rest of the chinmex' being maile i>f mortar 
and of sticks. 

Previous to 1830 a Fourth of July picnic party 
was held at Independence lake and the lake was 
named on that date. Jack lake is the lake to 
which "Jack." a horse owned by Benjamin Sut- 
ton, strayed and to which he was tracked b\' 
friendly Indians and found on a small island in 
the middle of the lake, and a rough barge had to 
be constructed before he could get ashore. 

The first Catholic families came into Northfield 
about 1829 and in 1830 Rev. Father Kelly said 
mass in their houses. By 1831 there were about 
fifteen Catholic families in the townshi]) and in the 
spring of 1831 a log church was erected on section 
2Q. Those who contributed to its erection were 
John Keenan, William Prindle, William Stubbs, 
John McKernan, Philiji AIcKernan, John ."-Sulli- 
van, Michael Purtell, John Mclntyre. Michael 
Bennett, Peter Smith, Alichael Neligan, Patrick 
Walsh. Michael Walsh, Patrick Donovan and 
Bryan Galligan. Rev. Father Kelly continued to 
minister to the needs of his parish until 1835, 
when Rev. Father Morrissey was appointed par- 
ish priest. In 1837 a frame church 30 x 40 feet in 
size was built. Father Morrissey was succeeded 
in 1840 by Rev. Father Cullen, who lived at Ann 
Arbor and attended both the pari.shes of .\nn .\r- 
bor and Northfield until 1864. In 1850 a 30x60 
addition was made to the church. This church was 
dedicated by P)ishop Lefcvre under the name of 
St. Bridget. In 1864 Rev. Peter Wallace became 
the parish priest and a church rectory was built in 
1865. He was succeeded in T873 by Rev. Father 
Lux. who died in June, 1874. Rev. .\. Carolan 
had charge of the parish for a couple of months 
and was succeeded 1)v the Rev. I. \'. Waterschoot. 



During the latter's administration the cornerstone 
of a new church was laid and on ( )ctober 20. 
1878, the church was dedicated by Bishop Bor- 
gers. Rev. Father Goldrick has been in charge 
of the parisii for some \ears and is one of the most 
popular priests who have ever been in the county. 
During his administration a fine parish house has 
been erected adjoining the church on the corner 
of Whitmore Lake avenue and Sepulchral Lane, 
as his letterheads denote. 

In 1832 Rev. .\lvin Billings, a Methodist min- 
ister, preached at the Murray schoolhouse and in 
1833 organized a class consisting of Isaac Bur- 
haiis. Calvin Holmes, Mr. and ]\Irs Sidnev Smith, 
Joel Smith. Mr. and Mrs. (3rrin Jefifords, Mr. and 
Airs. Pattee, Mr, and Mrs. (3rison Leland, and 
Mrs. Leet. Isaac Burhans was chosen class 
leader. Soon afterwards another class was formed 
at the Matthews schoolhouse. In 1847 «i Metho- 
dist church was built at Leland's Corners and the 
two classes united in forming the h'irst Methodist 
church of X'orthfield, .Vs earlv as 1838 the 
Methodists assembled at Whitmore Lake at the 
h( luse of Christian Zook and later a Methodist 
church was erected at Whitmore Lake. 

The German Lutheran church was built in 1875 
under the pastorate of the Rev. .Mr. Stein. Its 
original members were Mr. and Mrs. Christian 
F. Kapp. Mr. and Mrs. .\brahani Steflin, Mr. and 
-Mrs. Christian Rosenberger, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob 
Swerget, Mr. and Mrs. Ludwick, Mr. and Mrs. 
George Kempf, Air. and Airs. John Kapp, Air. 
and Mrs. Charles Procknow. Air. and Airs. Ber- 
nard Bauer, Mr. and Airs. John Gehrlock, Dr. and 
Mrs. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Frcy, Air. 
and Mrs. Waggoner, Mr. and Mrs. Henry \\'es- 
sel. Air. and Airs. Gotlliel) Bissinger and Enos 
( ieiger. 

The first temjierance society was organized in 
Northfield in 1839 with twenty-nine members and 
was continued for some years. In 1878 St. Pat- 
rick's Temperance Benevolent Society was organ- 
ized and it did excellent work. 

The fir.st hotel at ^^'llitnlore Lake \\,is kvpt b\' 
A. Burt. He ran it but a short time when he sold 
out to Air. William X. Stevens, some time be- 
tween 1 83 1 and 1833. This hotel has renrained in 
the hands of the Stevens familv and is now run 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



773 



b> Al Stevens, and is a favorite resort. ( )n Ma\ 
2, 1877, the Stevens House, or Lake ] louse as it 
is called, was struck by lightning, the lightninL;- 
tearing out the southwest corner of the building, 
ruirl the whole building appeared as if wrecked. 
The loss amounted to over a thousand dollars. 
Aliss Lena Schlemnier, a domestic, was thrown 
into convulsions which lasted several days, hut she 
linally recovered. A baby which was within six- 
feet of a window that was torn nut by lightning- 
was uninjured. 

The Clifton House was built at W'hitmore Laki- 
nianv years ago and has been for many years run 
by the Smith familw and has generall}' enjoyed a 
high prestige. 

( )n the evening of August 28. 1877, John G. 
jMiller and Rudolph (ireen were standing under a 
tree a mile east of the St. Patrick's church when 
the tree Ayas struc]< b\' lightning, the lightning 
passing down Air. Miller's back, left hip and left 
leg, killing him instantly. The lightning also 
passed across Green's chest and down his right 
leg, marking him and leaving him unconscious. 

On September 26. 1890. Ted Sopp, aged 20 
years, was sitting im a fence while on a hunting 
trip, when his gun slipped and the charge went 
through his breast, killing him instantly. 

Besides \\'hitmore Lake, l^mory with several 
stores has grown up to be quite a little village 
within the township of Xorthfield. 

In 1837. when Alichigan w-as admitted as a 
state. Northfield had a jiopulation of /f)^,. 

On August 26. 18^)8. jMrs. Catherine Keenan. 
who with her husfiand. John Keenan. had settled 
in the township in 1832. fell down stairs, from the 
effects of whicli fall she died three days later. 

T. C. Wilson, while making his first trip as fire- 
man on the .\nn Arbor road, was killed at Emory 
April 16. 1893. Within less than a week Clarence 
Swinefurth. who was also making his first trip, 
was al.so killed al Emory. 

J. R. C. May was drowned in ,1 mud lake nn 
j(jlin Mel high's farm snuth of W'hitmore Lake, 
lie was fisiiing with a nephew when the boat 
.sank. The nephevy swam ashore but May sank. 

Lewis I'". Ilrown. a university student, was 
drowned al W'hitmore Lake .\])ril 30, i8(K). while 
swimming from a boat. 



Within the past ten years Whitmore Lake has 
sprung into prominence as a village and trading 
point, and has had a rapid growth in population. 
It is as popular as ever as a summer resort and in 
addition to its hotels a large number of summer 
cottages have been erected. But its main growth 
has been in the line of permanent residents. New- 
streets have been laid out, houses erected, side- 
walks built, an elevator established and the village 
is about to attain the dignity of possessing a bank, 
r.arge ice houses have been established at this 
point, largely for the purpose of supplying To- 
ledo, Ohio, with ice and the ice industrx in winter 
has assinned large proportions. 

The su])ervisors of the townshi]) have 1)een : 

John Renwick 1833-4 

Rufus ^klatthews 1835-6 

John Renwick 1837 

George Sutton 1838-Q 

John fvenwick 1840 

Lucien P>. BarKer 1841 

Rufus Matthews 1842-3 

John Renwick 1844 

Rufus Matthews 1845 

Xathan Salyer 1846-7 

(^leorge Sutton 1848 

John Renwick 1849 

Rufus Matthews 1850-2 

Xathan Salyer 1853 

Ira Harker 1854 

James Clancy 1855 

rhilip Winegar 1856-8 

Joseph Pray 1859 

Patrick McTvernan 1860-01 

Philip Winegar 1862 

Patrick McKernan 1863-4 

J( )se])h Pray 1865 

Jc ihn Ryan 1866 

I 'atrick Wall 1867-71 

( ii'orge Renwick 1872-74 

I'.mory E. Leland 1875 

X. E. Sutton '876-7 

Patrick I'urtell 1878-80 

William Walsh 1881-2 

1 -atrick S. Pm-tell 1883-7 

frank Duncan 1888-90 

I'hilip Duffy 1891-2 



774 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Frank Duncan 1893-4 

Emory E. Leland 1895-6 

William Donnegan 1897-8 

Theodore L. Prochnow 1899 

Jay G. Pray 1900-02 

T. Frank Taylor 1903-4 

Jay G. Pray 1905- 

PITTSFIELD. 

Pittsfieltl was one of the earliest townships of 
Washtenaw to be organized and the first town- 
ship meeting was held in April. 1834. Previous 
to this a meeting had been held at the McCracken 
schoolhouse to select a name for the town, at 
which thirteen persons were present, each of 
whom wanted the township named for the place 
from which they came. For sometime they were 
unable to agree and the dispute finally .settled into 
two factions, one of which wanted a long name 
and the other a short name. The short faction 
won out and selected the name of Pitt after the 
great English prime minister, and the township 
was known by this name until 1840, when the 
long-name faction got in their innings and added 
"field" to the name, thus making it Pittsfield. 
Ezra Carpenter was the man who made the mo- 
tion that the name of the township be Pitt, and 
his motion was seconded by Roderick Rowlew 
Previous to 1834 a diagonal road had been laid 
from Ann .\rbor to Saline, passing through Pitts- 
field. Pittsfield has always been an agricultural 
township and has never had a village within its 
borders. The first supervisor of the township 
was John Allison, who came from Pennsvlvania 
to i\Iichigan in 1831 and who died in the township 
in 1874. Samuel D. ]\IcDowell, a native of New 
York who had come to Michigan in 1824, suc- 
ceeded him, serving from 1835 to 1841. Alanson 
Doty, who had come from New York to Pitts- 
field in 1832, was supervisor in 1836. Heman 
Ticknor was supervisor in 1837-8 and 1842-4 and 
he was a native of Connecticut. Elijah W. \\'hit- 
more served from 1844 to 1847; Horace Car- 
jienter. 1848 to 1849: Nathan Webb in 1850: 
-Mien Crittenden from 185 1 to 1857, and also 
from 1860-1869: Nathan Webb from 1857 to 
1859; David Woolsey from 1869 to 1875; David 



Depew in 1875: Morton F. Case from 1876 to 
1890. 

In 1837 Pittsfield was an exceedingly prosper- 
ous township. It had a population even larger 
than it has today. This was due. however, in great 
part to the large size of the families of the early 
settlers in the township. Its pc^pulation in 1837 
was 1.208 and there were within the borders of 
the township 270 horses, 800 sheep, 2,002 hogs 
and 4,368 head of neat stock : and the inhabitants 
had raised during the preceding year 19,337 
bushels of wheat. 239 bushels of rye, 15,710 
bushels of corn. 33,295 bushels of oats, 937 
bushels of buckwheat and 319 pounds of flax. 

The wife of Talmon Brown, of Pitt, as the 
town was then called, was found dead Sunday 
morning. June 5. 1836, in a small pool of water 
near her house. 

.\nna, the six-year-old daughter of John 
Schleh, was accidentally shot August 31, 1890, 
by an old musket. She and a little playmate 
thought it was not loaded. She died on Sep- 
tember 4. 

John Fiegel. treasurer of the township, was 
killed on the evening of September 10, 1891. 
Zion church of Ann Arbor had been holding a 
social at his house. He had loaded twenty-one 
ladies and two children on a hay rack to take 
them back to the city, when one line dropped. He 
reached forward to get it. when the cushion 
slipped and he was thrown forward on the horses. 
He struck his head on the pole and broke his 
neck. The horses ran away and threw the ladies 
out. but none of them were seriously injured. 

Pittsfield has had Init thirteen supervisors as 
follows : 

John .Allison 1834 

Samuel D. McDowell 1835 

Alanson Doty 1836 

Heman Ticknor 1837-40 

Samuel D. McDowell 1841 

Heman Ticknor 1842-4 

Ezra W. Whitmore 1845-7 

Horace Carpenter 1848-9 

Nathan Webb 1850 

Allen Crittenden 1 85 1-6 

Nathan Webb 1857-9 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



775 



Allen Crittenden 1860-8 

David Wilsey 1869-74 

David Depue 1875 

Morton F. Case 1876-82 

Henry Paul 1883 

Morton F. Case 1884-00 

W. Alfred Hutzel ■ 1901 



Salem was a part of the township of Panama 
until March, 1833. when ("leorg^e Renwick. who 
represented Washtenaw in the territorial legisla- 
ture, introduced an act setting- it apart as a town- 
ship by the name of Salem. The first township 
meeting was held in April, 1833, at the school- 
house at Bullock's Corners, near the house of 
Jacob P.. liullock. George Renwick called this 
meeting to order, Samuel Mapes presided, and 
Joseph Jackson acted as clerk. The first officers 
to be elected were as follows : Supervisor — 
George Renwick ; Clerk — Alexis Packard : As- 
sessors — John Dickenson, Calvin Wheeler and 
Welcome J. Partello ; School Inspectors — Charles 
Dean, Joseph Jackson, Royal Wheelock, Leonard 
C. Goodale and Lucius Peet ; Trustees of School 
Lands — John Bennett, P. C. ^Murray and Isaac 
Hamilton ; Highwa\- Commissioners — George 
King, Royal \Mieelock and Michael Thompson ; 
Treasurer — Joseph Laphani ; Director of the Poor 
— Orange (ireen: Treasurer of the Poor Fiuid — 
John Dickenson; and Constables — Joseph I^]!- 
ham and Peres Walker. 

.Salem was surveyed as early as 1816 by Sur- 
veyor \A'ampum, and it was not long after the 
settlement of the township in 1825 before the pio- 
neers disci ivered that there was something wrong 
about the lines laid down in the Wampum survey. 
Great difficulty was experienced in properly locat- 
ing their lands and many disputes arose over the 
ownership cit land, due to the defective surveys 
made by the original surveyor, so that in 1842 the 
people of Salem petitioned Congress for a re- 
survey of the township, which rc(|uest was 
granted and a re-survey was made by Harvey 
Parke in 1844. This re-survey disclnsed that of 
the sixty miles of subdivision lines as run in the 
original survey 24 \-2 miles had never been run 



at all and that many other lines had been errone- 
ously run. It was also discovered that the town- 
ship was 631 acres short of having its full quota 
of land. To make matters worse it was further 
found that 147 purchasers of land had received 
382 acres more than they had paid for, while 128 
purchasers had received 1.013 acres less than they 
paid for. Surveyor Parke's instructions were to 
re-establish the old lines wherever they had been 
surveyed and to make new^ lines only where no 
lines at all existed, so that however erroneous or 
defective the original survey had been it was re- 
established in 1844 and in some cases purchasers 
lost a third of the land that they had paid for. 
Congress was again prayed for relief and Sur- 
veyor-General Lucius Lyons vras ordered to make 
a personal inspection of deficient tracts of land in 
Salem and to ascertain the amount of damages. 
This he did and Congress was applied to far com- 
pensation. At several succeeding sessions of Con- 
gress the claims of the inhabitants of Salem were 
pressed but no relief was ever obtained. 

George Renwick was the first settler of Salem 
to receive civic honors. As has been seen he was 
a member of the territorial legislature in 1833. 
He was also a member of the territorial legis- 
lature the following year and of the state legis- 
lature in 1839. 1840, 1841 and 1847. Mr. Ren- 
wick was an Englishman by birth who had moved 
to Panama township in 1828, and besides his leg- 
islative services he was for many years supervisor 
of Salem township. In politics he was a strong 
whig. Royal Wheelock was the first justice of 
the peace and had been appointed as such as early 
as 1829 by Lewis Cass: and Capt. Ira Rider was 
the first postmaster of Salem, an office having 
been established in 1832 at what has since come to 
be called Lapham's Corners. This office was aft- 
erwards moved to Salem Station. In the early 
history of the township a tavern was established 
in the .southeast part of the town. 

.\lthough Washtenaw was originally included 
among the lands designed for the soldiers of the 
War of 1 81 2, but comparatively few of them set- 
tled in the township of Salem. The first one of 
these veterans of the war who settled in the town- 
ship was James Sober who served all through the 
war, and who came to Salem from New York in 



7n^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



1831 and lived to a very old agre. He often spoke 
in his later years of how numerous the wild ani- 
mals were on his arrival in the county and of his 
frequently having: shot deer and wild turkey from 
Ins cabin door. The second soldier of the war to 
settle in Salem was Edward Drake who died 
within a few years after his settlement. John \\'. 
Sickle, who died in Salem September 24. 1881. 
>vas also a veteran of the War of 1812 who had 
resided in Salem township since 1831 and was 94 
years of age at the time of his death. Robert 
Shankland, who was likewise a veteran of the 
War of i8i3, reached a still greater age. He 
lived in Ann Arbor township, after coming to 
Michigan, until 1831. when he removed to Salem. 

Salem has fumisheil a number of state legis- 
lators. Besides George Renwick. who has already 
been mentioned. Robert Purdy was in the state 
legislatures of 1837 and 1843. and was also a 
member of the constitutional convention which 
framed the first constittition of Michigan. In 
1842 and 1845 Henry T. AN'alker. of Salem, was a 
member of the state legislature. Ira Rider 
served in the legislature of 1853, Calvin Wheeler 
in that of 183 1, and Thomas D. Lane in that of 
1859. Mr. Lane was also a state senator in i86i 
and 1862. George S. Wheeler was in the legis- 
lature of 1899. 

A dispute among the old pioneers as to where 
the first schoolhouse in the township of Salem was 
located has never been definitely settled. The 
schoolhouse at Bullocks Comers was built in 
1S29 and was first taught by Charles Dean. This 
schoolhouse was located on section 27. 

A claim has been made that a school had been 
taught at a schoolhouse on section 31 at a pre- 
\-ious date. The schoolhouse at Bullock's Cor- 
ners was built of unhewn logrs and was hardlv six 
feet from the floor to ceiling with a six-light win- 
dow on each of three sides. The seats were slabs 
set up on wooden pins. It was heated by a small 
box stove which was considered a vast improve- 
ment upon the old fireplaces common in most of 
the other schoolhouses. Another school was built 
in 1832 on section 15 and was first taught by Miss 
^Jane Jessups. 

Rev. Eben Carpenter was the first Baptist min- 
ister to settle in Salem. He located here in 1832 



and took part in the org-anization of the I'irst 
Baptist church at the house of Wheaton BulkKk 
on January 7. 1S33, and preached a sermon on 
that occasion. The Rev. Moses Clark was the first 
pastor of the church and the first trustees were 
John Bennett and Eliphalet Lewis. Alexis Pack- 
ard and John Bennett were the first deacons, and 
L. C. Goodrich the first clerk. The first member 
to be baptized was Mrs. Elmira Wheeler who 
was baptized in 1833 K''" R?'^'- J- L. Twiss. .\ 
church was erected in 1852 which was moved to 
a new location in 1877. •'^ n^'^^' Baptist church was 
dedicated Febniary 6. i888. on which occasion 
Si. 200. the balance due on it, was subscribed. The 
Freewill Baptist church was organized in the 
northeast jxirt of Salem township on Julv 7, 1839. 
with Rev. C. B. Goodrich as pastor. Manly Smith 
as clerk, and Michael Thompson and James Filer 
as trustees. 

In 1833 a Presbyterian church was organized 
with Isaac Hamilton and Nathaniel as the first 
deacons, and a church was built in 1850 at a cost 
of $1,000. 

The Congregational church was organized in 
1831) with Jebedee Waldron. .\dam Spence. S. G. 
Haywood. Parlay Crowell, Harvey Hubbard and 
Joseph H, Peebles as the first tnistees and Rev. 
Hiram S. Hamilton as the first pastor. A church 
was built in 1S49. 

The First Wesleyan Methodist church was or- 
ganized in 1841 with David Norton as class 
leader and Joseph Laphani as steward. Their 
church was built in 1851 at Lapham's Corners. 
A Methodist church was org^inized in 1864 with 
about 2^ members. J. B. \'an Etta and \\'illiam 
HoUingshead were the first trustees: and .\. ^^. 
Farley and L. D. Perkins the first class leaders. 

Salem Grange was organized in 1834 with 30 
charter members. The Salem Fanners' Club is 
one of the largest and most successful of the 
fanners" clubs in Washtenaw coimty. Its meet- 
ings are always well attended and have proven of 
great \-alne to its members. 

The Pere Marquette is the only railroad now 
ninning through Salem township. This rnad was 
formerly known as the Detroit. Lansing and 
Northern, and quite a little village has sprang up 
around its depot known as Salem Station. For- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



777 



merly a second road ran through Salem, the To- 
ledo & Ann Arbor, with a depot at Werden near 
Peebles' Corners. This was when the Ann Arbor 
road terminated at South Lyon, the .'\nn Arbor 
road at first going wherever it could get donations 
of land or money. In later years when South 
Lyon was found to be out of the way, the track 
from that place to .\nn Ar1)or which ran through 
Salem was torn up. 

Lapham's Corners is two miles south of Salem 
Station, and, like Peebles' Corners is in posses- 
sion of a store and a number of houses. 

Salem, by the route the earliest settlers took to 
come into Washtenaw county, was the nearest 
township to Detroit. It was through Salem that 
the first settlers of Ann .Arbor and Northfield 
reached the county, and at an early date Salem 
was one of the most populous townships in the 
county. In 1837 it contained as many people as it 
has now. Its population then w'as 1,354; and, 
according to the census returns in that year the 
inhabitants had 226 horses, 1,000 head of neat 
stock, 875 sheep and i ,927 hogs, and produced 
during the year 1,264 hnshels of wheat, 455 
bushels of rye, 15,865 bushels of corn, 16,530 
bushels of oats and i.ooo bushels of buckwheat. 
The township also had two sawmills at that time. 

The supervisors of the township have been : 

George Ren wick 1834 

L. C. Goodale 1 835-6 

(jeorge Renwick 1837 

John Dickenson 1838 

Royal Wheelock 1839 

Robert I'urdy 1840 

Lawrence Xoble 1841 

Robert I'urdy 1842 

Henry T. Walker 1843-4 

Lawrence Noble 1845 

Daniel Pomeroy 1846-47 

Henry T. W^alker 1848 

John Dickenson 1849 

Ira Rider 1850 

Lawrence Noble 185 1 

Ira Rider 1852 

Lawrence Noble 1853-4 

Thomas D. Lane 1855 

Daniel Pomeroy 1856 

Isaac Wynkup 1857-8 



John Peebles '859 

John Peebles i860 

Royal Wheelock 1861-2 

Rufus Babbitt 1863-4 

Calvin Wheeler 1865-6 

John Peebles 1867 

Thomas D. Lane 1 868 

J. P.. Palmer 1869 

Isaac Wynkup 1870-r 

Isaac Wynkup '872-3 

John Crandall 1874 

Geo. S. Wheeler 1875-6 

Geo. S. Wheeler 1877-8 

Thos. D. Lane 1879-81 

George S. Wheeler 1882-5 

Hiram P. Thompson i886- 

Thomas D. Lane 1887 

Hiram P. Thompson 1888 

George S. Wheeler 1889 

Arthur C. Van Sickle 1890-2 

Fred C. Wheeler 1893-5 

Myron F. Bailey 1896-7 

.\rthur C. Van Sickle 1898 

Charles Kingslcy 1899-00 

John Munn 1901-04 

William Xaylor 1905- 

S.\LINE. 

Saline was organized as a townshi]) in 1830 and 
the first town meeting was held in .April of that 
year at the house of Orange Risdon. The name 
of the township was selected in Risdon's house. 
It had for some years been applied to the salt 
springs where the Chicago road crosses the Saline 
river. The name Saline had been given to the 
river by the French at some indefinite date pre- 
vious to this. Boaz Lam.son acted as moderator 
of the first meeting and Barnabas Holmes as 
clerk. The following town officers were elected : 
Supervisor — Alfred Davis; Town Clerk — Smith 
Lapham : .Assessors — Apollos Severance, Boaz 
Lamson and Evelyn Scranton ; Commissioners of 
Highways — Timothy W. Hunt, James Maybee 
and Ira Bonner ; Overseers of the Poor — Isaac 
Brown. .Allyn Williams, Silas Lewis, Aretus Bel- 
den and Luke Gillctt; Constable — Horace Wil- 
liams ; Commissioners of Common Schools — 



778 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Apollos Severance. Aretus Belden. Evelyn Scran- 
ton. Asahel Sawyer, and Smith Lapham ; Treas- 
urer of the Poor Fund — Arba Lamson: Path 
Masters — Timothy W. Hunt, John G. Joslin, Or- 
rin Parsons. Ely Gray. Boaz Lamson, Jeremiah 
Post. Arba Lamson, Isaac Brown, John Parsons. 
Thomas \\ood and Anthony Doolittle: Trustees 
of School Lands — Orange Risdon. Timothy W. 
Hunt and James Maybee: and Treasurer of 
School Funds — Orrin Parsons. 

The village of Saline is one of the largest 
villages in the county. \Mien Michigan was ad- 
mitted as a state, in 1837, the villages of Washte- 
naw county were put down as four in nimiber, 
Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Dexter and Saline : and in 
the State Gazateer of 1838. Saline is described as 
"A village and postcffice in the township of the 
same name, pleasantly situated on the east bank 
of the Saline river, on the Chicago road, in the 
count)- of ^^'ashtenaw. There is a church for 
Methodists, a banking association, three stores, 
two physicians. Within the village is a flouring 
mill and a sawmill. \'aluable salt springs have 
been discovered in the vicinit>". It is in the midst 
of a farming country, distant nine miles from 
Ann Arbor and forty from Detroit." The first 
store building in Saline had been erected in 1832 
on the comer of Chicago and Adrian streets, by 
a Mr. Finch, who came from New York. Pre- 
vious to this, he had rented the parlor in the 
house of Orange Risdon. where he displayed his 
goods and conducted his business. Caleb \'an 
Husen was an early ri\-al of Mr. Finch in the 
mercantile trade. It was in September, 1832, 
that Orange Risdon sur^-eyed, platted and named 
the village in pursuance of a plan that he had 
formed as early as 1826, when he believed that 
the Detroit and Chicago road would pass through 
what is now Saline, and that this point was one 
of the best in the state for the growth of a large 
town. The only addition which was required to 
the original plat pre\-ious to the building of the 
railroad now known as the Ypsilanti & Hillsdale 
branch of the Lake Shore, was an addition made 
in January, 1848, by David S. Hay\vood. The 
first house built upon the site of the village was 
erected in 1829 by Orange Risdon. and was run 
as a tavern, and it was at this house that the first 



township meetmg was held. In 1845 Schuyler 
Haywood, of New Jersey, built the Schuyler 
mills, about half a mile west of Saline village, and 
for ten years these mills turned out an average 
of 25 barrels of flour a day. A grist mill had 
been built nine years previous by Orrin Par- 
sons, which was enlarged in 1842 with a capacity 
of 30 barrels of flour a day. In 1853 a tannerv- 
was started by James C. Seeley. which was pur- 
chased in 1857 by Christian Helber, who greatly 
enlarged it. 

The First Baptist church of Saline was or- 
ganized in I S3 1 at the house of Jesse Stevens, the 
first members being Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Bod- 
ley, Mr. and ^Irs. Jesse Stevens, John Smith, 
Lorin Edmunds and Anna Ford, and a church 
was erected in 1837. The first pastor of the 
church was the Rev. Thomas Bodley and the 
first deacvns were Jesse Stevens and John Smith. 
The present well-built church building was com- 
pleted and dedicated in February, 1905. 

The Presbyterian church came into Saline as an 
organized body from Newark. Wa\Tte coimty. 
New York, bringjing with them the following cer- 
tificate : "The following persons, members of the 
Presbyterian church at Newark, Wayne coimty. 
New Y'ork. are about to leave this part of the 
coimtrv and settle in ilichigan : Peter Cook. 
Jacob Cook, Rachel Cook, Betsey Cook. David 
Hathaway. Phoebe Hathaway. Ira Hathaway. John 
Kanouse. Jr.. Sally Ann Hathaway and Nellie 
Kanouse. They were dismissed from said church 
on the 22d day of May, 1831. and were organized 
into a church at Newark aforesaid on said 22d 
day of May. Theodore Partridge, clerk of the 
session of the church at Newark." The members 
of this Michigan church thus formed in New 
York emigrated on the 23d day of May. 1S31. and 
landed in Detroit on the 29th of the same month. 
They all settled in Saline and on the i8th of 
July. 1831. they assembled together, took the 
name of the Presbyterian Church of Saline. Rev. 
Reuben Sears was present at this meeting and 
officiated for the five succeeding Sundays. Be- 
fore leaving New York David Hathaway. Jacob 
Cook and Peter Cook liad been chosen elders. 
Meetings were held in pri\-ate houses, school- 
houses and otlier church buildings until 1842, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



779 



when a church was built. 'J'his building- con- 
tinued to serve this congregation until about 1895, 
when a new and handsome church was built. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
February 12. 1833, by Rev. j. !•". Davidson. The 
first member of the new church was Mrs. Ansyl 
Ford. Conrad Dubois was the only other mem- 
ber for a short period when he left the township. 
Mr. .Vnsyl Ford was converted in March. 1833, 
and with several others joined the church. .\ class 
was organized in Saline village by Rev. Bradford 
Frazee early in 1834 and in the latter part of that 
year Ansyl Ford bought a lot and log building 
for $400 of a Major Keates, which the Major had 
built for a prospective church. i\. board of trus- 
tees was organized consisting of Ansyl Ford, 
Henry A. Francisco, Allen Burnham, John P. 
Marvin, Salmon S. Haight, David I. Gilbert and 
Samuel Kellogg. A parsonage was purchased in 
1839. The Second Methodist Episcopal church 
in Saline was built of badly burned brick, which 
soon crumbled and was succeeded by a frame 
church, which was torn down to make room for 
the present church of field boulders and brick, 
the cornerstone of which was laid June 14, 1899, 
during the ministry of Rev. F. E. Dodds. The 
present church building cost $7,000. 

A Lutheran church was organized in the village 
in 1865 by the Rev. Mr. Wolf, who held services 
in the village for three years, part of the time in 
the Baptist church. He was succeeded by Rev. 
J. Doeflcr in 1868. during whose administration 
a brick church was built at a cost of $5,600. Rev. 
I'Vederick Mueller was the first pastor of this new 
church and he was succeeded in 1878 by the Rev. 
K. Lcderer. 

In 1833 Smith I^pham built a hotel which was 
known in later years as the American House. In 
it a great many township meetings were held. 
.\nother old pioneer public house was erected in 
1834 by Daniel D. Wallace, which for over half 
a century, was known as the Saline E.xcliange. 
In 1870 the Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern 
Railroad was built to Saline. This is what is now 
known as the Ypsilanti & Hillsdale branch of the 
Lake Shore Railroad. An electric line has been 
built from Saline to Ypsilanti, and upon its 
completion, contrary to the predictions of some of 



the inhabitants of Saline, the village again began 
to grow and a number of hand.some new resi- 
dences were at once erected 

The village was incorporated by the board of 
supervi-sors October 18, 1866, and an election was 
held at the American House, December 10, 1866, 
for village officers. Charles H. Wallace was 
elected president; George Sherman, William 
Rheinfrank. James F. Draper, Henry J. ;\liller, 
Samuel D. Van Dusen and James F. Seeley, trus- 
tees ; George W. Hall, clerk : J. Forbes street 
commissioner and marshal ; Myron Wells, asses- 
sor : William H. Davenport, treasurer, and 
Charles O. Rogers, constable. 

The Union school building in Saline was built 
in 1868 and cost $25,000. P""or many years 
Saline has been in posession of a good bank run 
by William H. Davenport, who has lived in 
Saline since he was twelve years of age. In the 
early days of the village a wild cat bank was 
established there by Abel Goddard & Company, 
as a bank of issue which ran for two \^ears, and 
some of its bills are still in existence signed bv 
S. French, president, and W. Cunnutt, cashier. 

The township of Saline in 1837 had a popula- 
tion of 1,130. It had within its borders also, a 
grist mill, three saw mills and four merchants. 
Its people owned 124 horses, 177 sheep, 174 
hogs, 778 head of neat stock, and had produced 
in the year previous 9.130 bushels of wheat, 8,640 
bushels of corn. 15.921 bushels of oats and 55 
bushels of buckwheat. 

Fred Shooles, aged sixteen, who was teaching 
the German parochial school in Saline, dived into 
four feet of water in the Saline mill pond on the 
night of July 18, 1887, and broke his neck. 
The water at this point was usually eight feet 
<tecp. John Schletch. aged seventeen, was 
drowned while bathing in the mil! race at Saline, 
June 15, 1890. 

Two men were suffocated in a well near Saline, 
December 26, 1888. They were bricking up the 
well and had gotten within fort\--five feet of the 
top when Gottlieb Buehler gave way to the 
damp. Jacob Kuebler went down and endeavored 
to resuscitate him and succumbed himself. Ef- 
forts to get the men out alive were unavailing. 



78o 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



The supervisors of Saline from the be 
have been : 

Alfred Davis 

Orrin Parsons 

Alfred Davis 

Orrin Parsons 

Ansyl Ford 

Orrin Parsons 

Salmon L. Haight 

Julius Cruttenden 

Orrin Parsons 

Orrin Parsons 

David S. Haywood 

Salmon L. Haight 

Joshua Forbes 

Amos Miller 

Salmon L. Haight 

Thomas H. Marsh 

William M. Gregory 

Aaron H. Goodrich 

Salmon L. Haight 

William M. Gregory 

David A Post 

Salmon L. Haight 

Augustus Bond 

Martin Gray 

Salmon L. Haight 

Roswell M. Parsons 

Martin Gra}- 

Myron Webb 

Augustus Bond 

Myron Webb 

Joshua Forbes 

Wilson H. Berdan 

Myron Webb 

Wilson H. Berdan 

Myron Webb 

Everett B. Clark 

Edwin W. Wallace 

J. Manly Young 

Matthew Seeger 

Michael Burkhardt 

Edward Depew 

Edward A. Houser 

Willis M. Fowler 

John Luce 



gmnnig 

830 

831-33 

834 

835 

836 

837-40 

841 

842 

842 

843-44 

845-46 

847 
848 

849 
850 

851 

852 

853 

854-55 

856 

857 

858-59 

860-62 

863 
864 

865 

866 

867-68 

869 

870 

871 

872 

873-74 

875-76 

77 
878 
879-80 
88 r 

882-86 
887 
887-93 
894-97 
898-00 
901 



SCIO. 



The township of Scio was organized by an 



act of the legislature, aproved March 25, 1833, 
and the first township meeting was held at the 
house of Horace Leek, on section 9. The early 
township records have been destroyed by fire 
so that the first township officers can not be given. 
Dexter village, which is within this township, 
was platted in 1830, although the land on which 
it is located was purchased in 1824 by Judge 
Dexter and there were a number of families in the 
village at the time it was platted. Among them 
was that of Judge Alexander D. Crane, who thus 
describes the village of Dexter in 1830: "March 
I, 1830, I came here with my wife, to whom I 
had been married but a few days, and have re- 
sided here ever since. When I came I found here 
as residents of this village Hon. Samuel W. Dex- 
ter, Dr. Cyril Nichols and Samuel W. Foster, 
who, with their families, constituted the whole 
of the village and their dwellings were the 
only dwellings upon the village plat at that time. 
Judge Dexter had been here a few years, and 
then owned a large tract of land, and had erected 
a grist and sawmill on Mill creek. The grist 
mill stood where J. H. Everett & Co.'s flouring 
mill afterwards stood, and the sawmill stood on 
the opposite side of the creek. John A. Conaway 
and his father then lived in a log house on the 
rise of ground beyond the sawmill where Dennis 
Warner's farmhouse afterwards stood. They kept 
a tavern there and that was the only tavern west 
of Ann Arbor anywhere in the region. Dr. Cyril , 
Nichols built his house on the west side of the V 
river, near the bridge. He had come to Michigan 
from Vermont and had settled in what had be- 
come Dexter village, in 1826. He was a man of 
intelligence, and had a very extensive practice for 
many miles around Dexter. He afterwards laid 
out the village of Scio, erected a mill there, and 
on selling this out erected another mill at Fos- 
ter's Station, in Ann Arbor town. This in turn 
he sold and went to California in search of gold, 
dying just as he neared California. 

The first store in Dexter was opened by 
Charles P. Cowden, in 1830, followed in 1831 by 
Nelson H. Wing. William C. Pease and Robert 
Brower soon located here, and in 1838 Dexter 
had grown to be quite a flourishing village and 
is thus described in the Michigan Gazateer of 
that year : "A village and postoffice in the county 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



781 



of Washtenaw and township of Scio. Has an 
elevated and heahhy location, and is pleasantly 
situated on Mill creek at its confluence with the 
Huron river. Here is a flouring- mill with two 
run of stone, a sawmill and tannery, five stores, 
one grocery, one druggist, one lawyer, three phy- 
sicians. It is on the territorial road from Monroe 
to Grand river. The Detroit & St. Joseph Rail- 
road is to pass through it. There is hydraulic 
power in its vicinity that might be used to any 
extent. Dexter is very thriving, many build- 
ings were erected during the two seasons past, 
and many are now being erected. Distant nine 
miles from Ann Arbor and fifty miles west of 
Detroit, 576 miles northwest of Washington 
city." 

Judge Dexter evidently expected that through 
his influence Dexter village would grow into a 
large place. The streets on his plat are wider 
than those of any other village or city in Wash- 
tenaw and they are arranged somewhat like the 
spokes of a wdieel, coming to a common center. 
Their width has been utilized in later days to 
make extensive grass plots between the sidewalk 
and the roadway, the grass growing down 
through the gutters up to the beaten track of the 
road, and the lawns thus created are kept neatly 
mown. This adds greatly to the beauty of the 
village. 

Among the doctors who settled early in the 
village was the second physician. Dr. Philip 
Brigham, who came in 1832, and after three 
years moved to Ann Arbor. Dr. Amos Gray 
arrived in the same year from Vermont, where 
he was born in 1804, and here he remained in ac- 
tive practice until 1875, living some years after 
he had retired from active practice. Dr. John 
H. Cardell practiced in Dexter from 1836 until 
his death in 1842. Dr. C. A. Jeflfreys was the 
next physician to arrive and was followed bv Dr. 
Ewing, who died in 1879, ^^- Hollywood, Dr. 
Dolman, Dr. Clark, Dr. Howell, Dr. E. F. Chase, 
Dr. John Lee, Dr. W. E. Ziegenfuss and others. 

The lawyer mentioned in the Michigan Gaza- 
teer of 1838 was Calvin Smith, who moved to the 
village in 1830, but did not become a lawyer until 
two years later. He was the first justice of tlie 
peace of the township and in 1839 was elected a 
47 



member of the legislature, but died before tak- 
ing his seat. The second law-yer in Dexter was 
Judge Alexander D. Crane, who came to the 
county in 1827 from Cayuga county, New York. 
He commenced the study of law in 1832, when 
he was elected constable. He kept a store for 
about a year and a half, and in 1843 was ad- 
mitted to the bar. He was elected justice of the 
peace, in 1849 '^'^'^^ postmaster of Dexter, in 1853 
was made prosecuting attorney and in 1873 judge 
of the circuit court. He served for three months 
in i8fii as captain in the old Fourth Infantr\'. He 
died in Dexter. James T. Honey w'as the next 
attorney at Dexter, where he commenced the 
practice of law, which he still continues. 

For man}- years the only bank in Dexter was 
that of C. S. Gregory & Son, a private bank, 
originally established by Rice A. Beal as a 
broker's office, who sold the office to George E. 
Southwick & Co., who in turn sold to C. S. Greg- 
ory & Co. Mr. Gregory purchased the interest 
of his partner and admitted his son into partner- 
ship under the firn-i name of C. S. Gregory & 
Son. The bank continued for some time after 
Mr. Gregory's death, which followed that of his 
son, but w^as discontinued after the starting of 
the Dexter Savings Bank. A state bank was es- 
tablished in which for some years Thomas Birkett 
owned a controlling interest, which he has recently 
sold to Frank P. Glazier. Charles S. Gregory was 
born in Cayuga county. New York, in 1816, 
and came to Scio in 1834. He represented Wash- 
tenaw county in the state legislature in 1861 and 
1862, and again in 1883. He died June 4, 1893. 
His son, John V. N. Gregory, also represented 
the county in the state legislature from 1889 to 
1892. 

The first hotel in Dexter village was built 
for Judge Dexter in 183 1 by Edward Torrey. 
John A. Conaway, however, kept a tavern in a log 
house on the west side of Mill creek. Joseph 
.\rnold was the landlord in the hotel built by 
Torrey, and was succeeded in turn by Richard 
Brower and Captain James B. Arms, and for 
many years this was the only hotel in the village. 
It was finally destroyed by fire in i860. The 
second hotel was built by Nathaniel Goss, but 
was destroyed by fire in 1836. Then came the 



7S2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Goodrich House, which was also destroyed by 
fire in 1848. A fourth hotel was destroyed by 
fire in 1863, the hotel l)eing' known as the r>ent- 
ley House. 

The first blacksmith in the village was Judge 
Alexander D. Crane, who opened his shop in 
1830: Edward Torrcy was the first carpenter 
who resided in the village, coming in 1831 ; 
Erastus Ranney was the first vvagonmaker, com- 
ing in 1830 : George C. Page, the first tailor, came 
in 1832; Orrin J- Field, the first shoemaker, in 
1832: Henry Winkle, the first cabinet-maker, in 
1832, and Julius Ranney, the first tanner, in 
1834. Mr. Page was justice of the peace for 
nearly a quarter of a centm^x and died in Dexter 
at a very old age. 

The first grist mill, which had been erected 
by Judge Dexter, after passing through a num- 
ber of hands, was destroyed by fire November 28, 
1845, t'lf ""■'" '^t '^''•'S time being owned by 
Thomas Martin. The fire originated at 3 o'clock 
in the morning in a smut machine and the mill 
was a total loss. It carried $q,ooo worth of in- 
surance which, however, did not cover the loss. 
The mill site was purchased by Thomas Peatt 
and Alva .\ldrich. who rebuilt the mill, selling 
out ultimately to Ebarts and Costello. The mill 
finally passed into the hands of Thomas Birkett. 
The. Peninsular mills were built in 1836 by 
Millard, Matthews and Piond. In 1855 'bey were 
purchased by P)eal, Marble and Southwick. After 
passing through a number of owners, they finally 
wound up in the hands iif Thomas Rirkett. In 
1838 Jesse Millard and son erected a woolen 
mill, which ran for many years and did quite a 
flourishing business. A cider antl jilaning mill 
was erected in 1881 by Phelps and Still Bros., 
but was burned four years later, and a new plan- 
ing mill was built by 1!. B, Williams. A blast 
furnace was erected in 1850 by Isaac V. Wake- 
man, and did a flourishing business. Afterwards, 
in connection with this furnace, an agricultural 
implement factory was started, which employed 
a number of people, until it was destroyed by 
fire in the earl\- '/Os. Other factories, such as 
wagon factories, sash and door factories, boats, 
etc, have been at various times nm in the village. 

Dexter has been ma\- times visited hv fire. 



.\bout 1838 its first visitation occurred when the 
house built by Calvin Smith, and then owned by 
Thomas Martin, was burned. Dexter"s first big 
fire was on Sunday, November 24, 1844, when 
twelve buildings on the north side of Main street 
were destroyed, at a loss estimated at $30,000. 
The fire originated in Henry \'inkle's cabinet 
sho|), and a singular fact, noted in the Ann Ar- 
b(ir papers of this date, is that a rumor of this 
block being burned was current in .Ann Arbor 
the night before the fire took place, and the 
nnriir even named the buildings in which the 
fire actually originated. In 1848 this same lilock 
of stores, wliicb had been rebuilt, was burned 
with a loss even heavier than in the fire three 
years previous, .\gain, in .\pril. 1877, ^^'^ brick 
buildings in this block were destroyed by fire at 
a loss of $20,000. On the south side of Main 
street, in 1847, fi''^' destroyed three buildings, and 
in February, i860, two more buildings, including 
the old Dexter Hotel. On Christmas day, 1866, 
a still )i:ore destructi\-e fire occurred on the south 
side of the street. 

( )u Thursday, May 4 De Forest Phelps 

was killed b}- a bullet in his side while seeking 
to protect the dam of J. Millard & Son, who 
was engagecl in a law suit with a Air. Reeves, 
whose land had been overflowed by their mill 
dam. The\- believed that an eft'ort had been 
made to weaken their dam several weeks before 
Phelps was killed, .so that the heavy rain vvdiich 
seemed to be approaching might remove the dam. 
On the night before the murder another attempt 
to weaken the dam was anticipated and the dam 
was watched. The watch was repeated on Thurs- 
day night, about twenty people taking part in 
watching the dam. Sometime after dark a num- 
ber of men seemed to be digging around the 
dam, and the company of watchers rushed for- 
ward, Phelps being amongst the foremost. He 
received the contents of a gun in the right side. 
Five arrests were made on account of the murder, 
but these persons do not seem to have ever been 
tried. 

On Sunday, January 20. 1878, Thomas 
O'Grady was nnirdered by W. H. Morand, a 
colored man. who had been living on a little 
piece of lanil he had leased in Cullinane's woods, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



-83 



near Dexter, ^lorand had built a hut of saplings, 
covered with earth and brush, near the Michigan 
Central Railroad track, and the Dexter boys used 
to go out to see him. On this Sunday eight of 
them attempted to make sport of him, and he 
came out with an ax and struck at their number, 
the blow missing. O'Grady drew a revolver and 
fired in the air for the purpose of scaring Morand, 
hut it simply enraged him and his ne.xt blow- 
struck O'Grady to the ground, the other seven 
running away. .Morand struck three more blows, 
crushing O'Grady's skull and mutilating the 
body, which he carried some fifteen feet and 
threw over his fence. The alarm having been 
given immediately by O'Grady's companions, a 
number of people soon assembled on the spot 
and found the colored man burying his victim. 
He gave himself up to the officers, and upon 
being taken to Ann .\rbor it w^s found that 
he believed himself to be the Savior, with intimate 
knowledge of the past, present and future. He 
was adjudged insane and sent to the Kalamazoo 
Insane Asylum. 

On the night of .\ugust 10, 1873, I.ndwick 
Miller, a Scio farmer, was murdered by Lyman 
Burkhardt, a fifteen-year-old lad, who was work- 
ing for Miller. He confessed the crime, claiming 
that it was on account of a whipping which 
Miller had given him. Burkharrlt entered the 
room where Miller was sleeping and, placing a 
gun at his head, fired, killing him instantly. 
I5urkhardt was sentenced to state's prison for 
life. He was pardoned by the governor in 1892. 

In the fall of 1876 Mr. Rumsey had a dispute 
with a laborer in his employ, named George Hen- 
ning, over the settlement of Henning's claim, 
when Henning kicked Rumsey in the groin, from 
which Rmnsey died a few days later. Henning 
pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sen- 
tenced to state's prison for four years. 

On March 20, 1877, Mrs. Dennis Warner, a 
pioneer of the county, who had been the first 
school teacher in the township of Sylvan, was 
struck by a train while crossing the railroad track 
to her home in De.xter and killed. 

The first schoolhouse in .Scio township was 
constructed of logs and erected in 1829. It was 
located on Hiram Arnold's farm, a mile and a 



half north of Delhi, and was known as the Arnold 
schoolhouse. The seats of this primitive and un- 
pretentions looking structure. like the walls, were 
made of thick, heavy slabs or planks, with a hole 
at each end and a stick put through for support. 
( Hving to roughness of the benches (the soft side 
having not yet been invented) we may be ex- 
cused from inferring that our forefathers cer- 
tainly did "gain an education under difficulties." 

\\'ith increasing population came the demand 
for more commodious and comfortable school- 
houses. Districts were arranged, and more 
modern structures erected. The village of Dex- 
ter and vicinity was settled by a class of people 
who appreciated the \''alue of an education and 
educational advantages, and hardly was the vil- 
lage named before a suitable school building was 
erected and the wielding of the birch commenced. 
This first schoolhouse was a small frame build- 
ing on B street, near the site now occupied by 
the Baptist church, and was erected in 1830. For 
some years it was also used as a place of worship 
and for holding public meetings. In 1843 ^^ 
gave place to a larger and more substantial look- 
ing edifice of brick, which is still in existence, 
and is the first dwelling house north of the Baptist 
church. This, in turn, became too small to ac- 
commodate the pupils in the then thriving little 
town, and in 1856, at a meeting of the tax-payers 
of the district, it was decided that a larger and 
better building must be built, and with this end 
in view a building committee was appointed, con- 
sisting of Dr. Ewing, Judge De.xter, B. W. 
Waite and .\. D. Crane. This committee went to 
Detroit, and at a cost oi $75 secured the plan of 
the building, but half of which was ever carried 
out. The contract was taken by a Mr. Terrv. of 
Ypsilanti, and John B. Dow, of .\nn .Vrbor, 
Terr}- doing the wood work and Dow the brick 
work. The lumber was made in Ypsilanti and the 
fixtures constructed after it was shipped here. 
The brick were made at a kiln about a mile west 
of De.xter. The ground for the new building 
was broken in June, 1856, and in October the 
structure known as the I'nion schoolhouse was 
completed. 

The first principal was Professor Lawton, who 
took charge of the institution in Xovcmher, 1856. 



784 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



He was succeeded by Duane Doty, who after- 
wards became prominent as a superintendent of 
the Chicago schools. Next in order came Thomas, 
Brown and Kimball. Professor Brown was 
noted for his great strength; the following stor\- 
illustrates it : "A drayman went to the professor's 
residence with a barrel of flour and was about 
to roll it off on the ground when the professor 
came out, lifted it on his shoulder and walked 
quietly into the house." It is supposed that he 
kept good order. A lady, Miss Ada Alvord, next 
took the reigns of government in hand and under 
her efficient management it first became a graded 
school. A pamphlet was issued stating the num- 
ber of grades and the names of the studies in 
each. It was during her administration that a 
peculiar feeling of class distinction arose, and led 
to the passage of the following resolution by the 
board : "Resolved, That colored children attend- 
ing the school shall be compelled to sit alone and 
also recite in a class by themselves." Since that 
time the school has been under the management 
of the following principals : George W. Crouch, 
A. F. Hamilton, J- L. Lane, E. C. Thompson, 
H. L. Davis, H. E. Kratz, C. F. Field, W. Carey 
Hill. C. A. Cook, Professor Bobbs, O. L. Waller, 
Professor J. jNIcInnis, A. E. DeWitt and others. 
A new union schoolhouse was finished in 
Dexter early in 1888. and is a beautiful building, 
of which the inhabitants of Dexter are justly 
proud. At the time it was built is was thought 
to be the finest schoolhouse of its size in the 
state. It contains six large school rooms with 
broad, airy halls and large and convenient hat and 
cloak rooms connected with each school room. 
These hat and cloak rooms are so arranged that 
they may be entered only through the school 
rooms, which prevents the theft or loss of cloth- 
ing which so often happens in the high school 
building, where the hat and cloak rooms are en- 
tered only from the halls. The building is sup- 
plied with the Smead-Ruttan heating and ventil- 
ating system, which is a great success. Perfect 
ventilation is secured. The entire volume of air 
in each room is changed every five minutes, a 
result that can be secured by no other system. 
The basement of the building, high, light and 
airy, contains the three furnaces by which the 



building is warmed, and closets for boys, girls 
and teachers. The closets are so constructed with 
brick walls and iron tops that the excreta can be 
burnt out without being removed. All the foul 
air of the rooms above passes over this matter in 
the closets, rendering it as dr\' and odorless as 
Buffalo chips, which are used as fuel on our 
western plains. This section of the Smead-Ruttan 
system, to say nothing of the perfect ventilation 
which is secured, is invaluable. The building oc- 
cupies a fine location, overlooking the village, and 
the grounds have been graded at an expense of 
$500, and grassed over so that the surroundings 
are as beautiful as the building itself. The com- 
mittee having the building in charge and super- 
intending the work was Charles S. Gregory, B. 
W. Warner and R. P. Copeland. The entire 
building, including heating and ventilating ap- 
paratus and closets, cost the district about $13,- 
000. The actual cost of the building was much 
more. The contractors sub-let the different parts 
of the building and every sole contractor lost 
money, except one. 

The Baptist church was the first organized in 
the district. Elder Carpenter, who had been 
preaching there for over a year, organized a 
church August 16, 1831. The original members 
were Elder and Mrs. Ebor Carpenter, David Lay- 
ton, Joshua Secord, William Youmans, David 
Case, John Hancock, William Lennon, Mrs. Put- 
nam, Lydia Secord, Catherine Case. Hannah Han- 
cock, Esther Quackenbush, ^'Vinanda Hurd. Anna 
Force and Catherine Clements. For several years 
they worshiped in the schoolhouse or in private 
houses. Their first church was dedicated in June, 
1840, and this structure was replaced by a brick 
church, which was dedicated in May, 1866, the 
building costing $5,000. The earlier pastors of 
this church were Rev. Ebor Carpenter, Rev. Wil- 
liam A. Bronson, Rev. George Walker, Rev. 
James Piper, Rev. Stephen Yocum, Rev. Edward 
Tenney, Rev. Charles Peterson, Rev. J. L. Smith. 
Rev. Nelson Eastwood and Rev. H. A. Brown. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
by the Rev. E. H. Pilcher, who was then sta- 
tioned at Tecumseh. He preached in Judge Dex- 
ter's house in November, 1831, and a class of 
two men and eight women was organized. Wil- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



785 



Ham H. Brockway was appointed leader, and in 
1833 1^^ '^^''s licensed as a local preacher. Rev. 
Henry Colchazer, Rev. E. H. Pilcher, Rev. E. C. 
Gavitt, Rev. A. Billings, Rev. A. B. Elliott jind 
Rev. H. Gearing- ministered to this congregation 
up to 1835. 

The Congregational church was organized on 
January 5, 1836, by Rev. C. G. Clark, as the 
First Presbyterian Church of Dexter. The original 
members were Charles P. Cowden, who was 
elected elder ; David Dutton, Vashti Dutton, 
Charles M. Smith, Mehitabel F. Cowden, Rox- 
anna Whitcomb, A. Spaulding, Timothy Dutton, 
Catherine Conkling, Richard and Elizabeth Peter- 
son, Julia .\nn Tuttle, Anne Xorthem, Dennis 
and Harriet N. Warner, Jeruslia T. Baker. A 
frame church was built in 1845 ^^ '^ cost of $2,000. 
This building was sold in 1873, and in 1874 the 
church disbanded. During its organization a 
total of 339 members were on the rolls of the 
church. 

The Episcopal church probably held the first 
services in the township of Scio, Sylvamis Noble 
having, as early as 1825, secured a missionary 
station for the township, and the first minister 
to preach in the township was the Rev. Air. Cadle, 
who was in the township but one Sunday, how- 
ever. Rev. Mr. Freeman bought a farm a few 
miles from Dexter and occasionally preached in 
the log schoolhouse one mile west of Dexter. In 
1835 Rev. Samuel Marks preached in the Dexter 
schoolhouse every two weeks, being assisted by 
the Rev. David J. Burger, under whom the .St. 
James parish, Dexter, was organized, the first 
vestrymen consisted of Barnabas K. Dibble, 
Pierpont L. Smith, Nathaniel Noble, William A. 
Jones, Alexander D. Crane, Dr. Amos Ciray and 
James Cunningliam. Mr. Burger was followed 
by the Rev. Darius Barker. Rev. Marmaduke 
Hirst and the Rev. A. S. Hollister. The first 
building was erected in 1854, under Rev, Caleb 
A. Bruce and his father. Rev. Nathaniel Bruce, 
and was dedicated on June 24, 1855. 

The first Catholic church near Dexter was built 
about five miles northwest of the village in 1840, 
under Rev. Father Cullen, and a small frame 
building was erected. This building being shortlv 
afterwards destroyed bv fire, a new church was 



erected in Dexter village at a cost of $4,000, and 
Rev. Father Hennessy greatly assisted the con- 
gregation in its construction. The first resident 
priest was Rev. Father J. Pulsers, who was suc- 
ceeded by the Rev. J. Van Jennip, and during the 
latter's pastorate of fifteen years a fine brick 
church was erected, which was dedicated June 
3, 1875, by Bishop Borgess. The church cost 
$27,000, and at the time of the dedication Rev. 
T. F. Slattery was the priest in charge of the 
parish. 

Washington lodge No. 65, F. & A. M., was 
organized June 30, 1854, with the following ofii- 
cers : Frederick Carlisle, W. M. ; John Cross- 
man, S. W. ; George W. Hayes, J. W. ; Ostorne 
x\ldrick, secretary ; Thomas Peatt, treasurer ; H. 
H. Noble, S. D.; O. M. Smith, J. D.. and Mar- 
quis Peatt, tyler. 

Washtenaw chapter, (J. E. S., was organized 
later. A Masonic temple was erected in the later 
part of 1905 at a cost of $2,500. It is 26x60 in 
size, two stories high, with banquet and dancing 
hall, lodge room and spacious ante-room. 

Besides Dexter, the township contains the un- 
incorporated villages of Scio and Delhi. Scio, 
as has been seen, was platted by Samuel W. 
Foster in 1835, upon the building of his mill. It 
was at one time quite a prosperous village, but 
the continued growth of Dexter and the establish- 
ment of Delhi operated as a bar to its growth. A 
postoffice was established here about 1870, and 
was kept up until discontinued on account of 
rural free delivery. The first posmaster was 
George A. Peters, who is still living in the 
township, although now over eighty years of 
age. Mr. Peters was a leading member of the 
greenback party, and afterwards constituted the 
populist party of the county and was its candi- 
date for congress. 

Delhi village was platted Jnlv 25. 1836, bv 
Jacob Doremus. The plat was recorded as Michi- 
gan village, but the name was soon afterwards 
changed to Delhi. In 1842 all the unsold lots 
in the village plat were purchased by N. C. Good- 
ale, who has been regarded as the real founder of 
Delhi mills. He was born in .\mherst, Massa- 
chussetts, in 1813, and came to this county in 
1835, purchasing the sawmill on the site of the 



786 



PAST AND TRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Delhi mills for $50. which was the entire amount 
of money that he had. He soon built the Delhi 
flouring mills, and by the time of his death, in 
1877. had accumulated a large fortune. The vil- 
lage lots in Delhi were all sold with the express 
condition that no intoxicating drinks should ever 
be sold upon the premises, under pain of forfeit- 
ure and the loss of all improvements made there- 
on. While the Delhi mills were run to their full 
capacity they gave employment to a large number 
of men, and the villa.ge was prosperous. After a 
number of vicissitudes the mills passed into the 
hands of the Michigan .Milling Company, of Ann 
Arbor, by whom thev are now owned and run. A 
postoffice was established at Delhi in 1868. 
Among the noted characters who made their home 
in Scio was Captain Hays, who had commanded 
a privateer during the \\'ar of 1812, during which 
he had captured many prizes and on two occasions 
had been taken prisoner, .\fter the war he en- 
tered the merchant service, and in 1832 settled 
in Scio. He was a kind hearted man and his 
language was always that of the sea. His in- 
structions to Clark Sill, who built his house, in 
1832, were as follows: "She is to be after the 
most approved model. Her bulwarks are to be 
large trees, and she is to be seven feet lower deck 
and five feet upper deck, with ])ort holes on the 
upper and lower decks, with scuppers on the up- 
per deck. She is to be altogether seaworthy." 
On one occasion he attended church services in 
the house of George W. Peters, where a pro- 
tracted meeting was in progress with consider- 
able excitement, one person in particular praying 
loud and long with many exhortations to re- 
pentance. As the captain sat during the whole 
service with his eyes on the floor, the excitable 
exhorter placed his hand upon his shoulder, say- 
ing: "Well, captain, what do you think?" Rais- 
ing his eyes for the first time, the captain said : 
"Think? AMiy, I think a steady helm is best in 
a storm !" 

Among the settlers of Scio who are vet ( 1905) 
living is J- ^^'■ Wing, who settled in Scio in 1832 
at the age of twelve years, following his father 
from Madison county. New York, where he was 
born. 

In 1838 Scio township had a population of 



1,442, and contained two grist mills, three saw 
mills and six merchants. 

Drownings have been numerous in Scio. 
Among them may be mentioned: Willie Kay. 
aged nine, who fell into the water while playing 
about the dam at Delhi mills, March 12, 1887; 
the six-year-old son of Mr. Rullock was drowned 
at Delhi mills July 18, 1890. He was playing 
in an old boat which started down stream. The 
little boy jumjH'd for a stone, missed it and fell 
into the water. The seven-year-old son of ( )rville 
Todd, while wading near the bridge at Dexter, 
June 15. 1892, slipped and fell into deep water 
and his body was not recovered for three-quarters 
of an hour. John Schulte was drowned in the 
Hurcni, June 18. 1893. He jumped from a boat 
for the shore, fell into si.x feet of water and, be- 
ing unable to swim, was drowned. 

The Dexter postofifice was robbed February 
13. 1888, of $400 in stamps but the robbers 
were never detected. Charles P. Stark, of Shar- 
on, whii was working near Dexter, started to re- 
turn from .\nn .\rbor to Dexter June 15, 1882, 
I in a train which did not stop at Dexter. He 
jumped off the moving train and was killed. 

On May 25. 1903, the body of an unknown 
man was found in the unoccupied house of 
Frank Phelps in Scio with his throat cut from ear 
to ear. It was finally determined to be the body 
of W. H. W'oodward. a traveling salesman for 
a portrait companw who had committed suicide 
on Ma\- 3. 

William Pienz was found dead on his farm 
.\ugust 21, 1903, with his throat cut and marks 
of hammer blows on his head, but not sufficient 
to fracture the skull. His wife was absent and 
he was alone. She discovered the tragedy. The 
coroner's jury foimd that his throat had been cut 
by an unknown person or persons. 

The early records of the township of Scio have 
been destroyed by fire. Since 1843 the supervisors 
have been : 

Benjamin W. W'aite 1843 

Xorman .\. Phelps 1844 

Benjamin W. Waite 1845-46 

Nelson Moslier 1847 

Benjamin W. Waite 1848 

Jacob A. Polhemus 1849 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



787 



Benjamin W. Waite 1850 

Jacob A. Polhemus 1851 

Samuel P. Foster 1852 

Abraham Xaiuk-rniark 1853 

William Hurnett 1854 

Charles S. Gregory 1855 

WilHam Purnett 1856 

Charles S. Gregory 1857 

David M . Finley 1858 

Charles S. Gregory 1859 

Stephen Ci. Johnson i860 

Luther I'almer 1861 

Stephen G. Johnson 1862 

Luther Palmer 1863 

Patrick Tuomy 1864 65 

John L. Smith 1866 

Patrick Tuomy 1 867 

John L. Smith 1868 

Henry E. Peters 1869-70 

Patrick Tuomy 1871-73 

Samuel W. Holmes 1874 

Stephen ( i. Johnson 1875 -7') 

Patrick .McGuinness 1877-78 

Jacob Jedele Jr 1879 

John L. Smith 1880-81 

Penjamin Waite. Jr 1882 

Jaccib Jedele. Jr. " 1883 

Charles S. Gregory 1884 

Andrew T. Hughes 1885-92 

Fred Jedele 1893 

!')> rem T. W'hittaker 1894-02 

Jacob Jedele 1903 

SH.XRON. 

Sharon township was organized b\' an act of 
the legislature a])])roved March 7, 1834. and the 
first town meeting was held at the house of 
Oliver Kellogg, April 7, 1834. The following 
town ticket was elected: Suj^ervisor. Lewis .Al- 
len: ck'rk. Uenjamin F. lUirnett: commissioners 
of highways. Conrad Rowe, aniel Porter and 
Francis .\. f lillett : commissioners of common 
schools. Allen Dc Lamater, Henry Rowe and 
lienjamin 1". jiurnett; overseers of the poor, Con- 
rad Rowe, .\bijah Marvin; assessors, Gilbert 
Rowe, ( )liver Kellogg and .Micah Porter: con- 
stable and collectors. Luke Gilbert ; fence viewers. 



Micah Porter and Henry Rowe; poundmaster, 
John Sloat. The inspectors of this first election 
were Ebenezer H. Conklin. Benjamin F. Burnett 
and Micah Porter. 

The first sawmill in Sharon was built on sec- 
tion 29 b\ Amasa Gillett and Benjamin F. Bur- 
nett on the extreme northerly bend of the River 
Raisin. The running car was placed above the 
saw so that the mill made a terrible racket when 
running. This mill was the beginning of Sharorj 
Hollow. .Ashley Parks arrived and opened his 
blacksmith shop in 1834 and continued to live in 
the county until he ilied at a ripe old age. The 
first store in the township was opened by Ricliard- 
son & Temple, and afterwards passed into the 
ownership of Nathaniel .Ambrose, who ran a gro- 
cerv and tavern combined. The first wedding 
was that of Lorin Keefe to a Miss Palmer, Jus- 
tice Smith Lapham, of Lodi. officiating. This 
wedding took place in the evening and but one 
tallow candle furnished the li,ght for the oc- 
casion. The candle was in the hands of a younger 
member of the family, who. just as soon as the 
ceremony was concluded, blew out the light, 
leaving the company in total darkness. The firs': 
white child born in the township was Minervi 
lUillard, born September 3. 1833. Her father, 
.Amos Bullard, planted the first orchard in Sharon 
township. He had located his farm in 1831. The 
first male child born in the township was \ irgil 
Peck, born in 1834. He was the son of Waite 
Peck, who came into the township in 1833. The 
first death in the township was in 1833. when 
k)avid J. Sloat. who erected the first house built 
in the township, passed away. The first frame 
house was built by Luke Gilbert in 1833 on the 
farm which was afterwards owned by the Hon. 
John J. Robinson ; and the first frame barn was 
erected by .Amasa Gillett. .\lr. Gillett was super- 
visor of the township and in 1849 represented the 
county in the state legislature. His house was 
a station of the "Underground Railroad" during 
the exciting times preceding the Civil war. He 
had moved into the county in 1833 from Litch- 
field, Connecticut, and two of his sons became 
presiding elders of the Methodist church. 

The first case of drowning in the township was 
that of the six-year-old son of Joseph Gillett, 



788 



'PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



who was drowned in the mill race. In 1878 the 
little child of James Corwin was drowned, and 
on March 10, 1887, '^^ body of Francis M. Baker, 
of Sharon Hollow, was found in the river a lialf 
mile from his hotne, from which he had disap- 
peared some two weeks before. He is supposed to 
have wandered away while temporarily insane. 
The first suicide was that of a settler named 
Tague, in 1835, and this was the last suicide 
until November, 1867, when the body of an un- 
known German, who had hung himself, was 
found. There have been two cases of homicide 
in Sharon, both of which were deemed by the 
authorities to have been justifiable homicide. On 
February 3, 1871, George Wood and George 
Coleman, both in the employ of John W. Cowan, 
quarreled, and Wood struck Coleman two blows 
upon the head with a club, killing him instantly. 
Wood claimed that Coleman had assaulted him 
with an ax and that he was acting in self-defense. 
Wood was acquitted ten days later by a jury in 
the circuit court. About the first of June, 1887, 
Gabriel Hanck died after being struck over the 
head by a gun barrel in Justice Henry Reno's 
hands. The two men had quarreled over Reno's 
crossing Hanck's land. Hanck came out, where 
Reno was cutting a tree, with a gun in his hand. 
Reno grabbed at the gun which broke in two, 
each man using the part of the gun he possessed 
as a weapon. Mr. Reno having always borne a 
good character as a peaceable man, no arrest 
was made. 

The first school in Sharon was taught by Miss 
Myra Winchester in the Rowe schoolhouse. The 
schoolhouse was a frame building, but no laths 
nor plaster were present. Samuel H. Rowe in a 
speech at a farmers' picnic in 1878, tells how a 
new schoolhouse was secured : 

"The old schoolhouse was in a tottering and 
dilapidated condition. For over a quarter of a 
century its desks and benches liad been cut and 
hacked by the jackknives of its graduates and un- 
dergraduates. As one after another succeeded to 
the possesion of a favorite seat — which he was 
on hand to pre-empt very early in the morning 
of a new term — the new and bigger initials of his 
name had to be cut over those of his predecessors, 
and during leisure hours from studv the grooves 



for shooting out paper wads had to be cut out 
afresh. The walls had been patched and patched 
with all sorts of different colored mortar — some 
of it stuck and some of it came down on de- 
voted heads as the first class tramped along to 
"toe the crack"' to spell. Some of the nails in 
the floor had the bad trick of working their heads 
up high enough to bite unlucky bare feet that 
came too" near them as they trudged over the un- 
even surface to find out, at the schoolmaster's 
desk, how to pronounce that word. The shingles 
that remained on the roof had got their backs up 
at being retained long after they were of age. 
On the outside the clapboards were off in many 
places : in others still, great square holes had been 
cut for the convenience of favorite ball clubs. The 
old door that faced the south was aged and 
trembling, and had no hall or entry way to 
bother it, or hide the boy from the teacher's eyes 
when he was cramming down the last bit of his 
apple before he came in so innocently. The old 
windows, through which we peeped at passers-by, 
or looked for the old sleigh that came about 4 
o'clock to carry scholars who accepted the cheery 
invitation to 'pile on all that are going this way' 
— these windows kept up an awful clatter, some- 
times when the master had just said, 'Now, let 
us have it so still that you can hear a pin drop.' 
It was high time that a new house should be 
built. The matter had been thoroughly canvassed. 
At last the decisive night came when the vote 
was taken. Considerable opposition was manifested 
and I think it was led by Burr Gould. 

"The boys had taken from the farm of John 
Williams, the schoolmaster, a persuader in the 
shape of a big lever, thirty or forty feet long. The 
fulcrum was adjusted, the boys were in position, 
and the whistle of the lad who stood sentinel at 
the open door, just as the moderator put the ques- 
tion, one corner of the first school edifice in 
Sharon creaked and went up about two feet. The 
vote for a new one was nearly unanimous. The 
ayes and ohs were all counted in the affirmative. 
These schoolhouses were also used in those days 
for houses of worship, and every one of them had 
what was called an "amen corner.' On the night 
I speak of the amen corner of this house spoke 
up loud and prompt." 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



789 



Sharon was particularly free from the fever 
and ague which was prevalent in most of the 
townships of ihe county at an early date, and 
while there were some cases of the ague in the 
township there were neither so many nor so se- 
vere as those of the adjoining townships. 

The township had, however, its 'wild cat bank, 
the Bank of Sharon, with Ruell Ambrose as presi- 
dent and S. Baldwin as cashier, being known far 
and wide from the large amount of wild cat cur- 
rency that it put in circulation. 

In 1832 the settlers of the township assembled 
at the house of Porter C. Lathrop and resolved 
to defend their settlement against Black Hawk's 
warriors, who happily never came within miles 
of the township. In the Toledo war, however, 
Sharon furnished a number of soldiers as well 
as Colonel James Harley Fellows, who for a time 
cominanded the advance guard of southern Michi- 
^gan. The pioneers who took part in this Toledo 
Avar were as much in earnest as those who went 
out to any other war. Several of the wives of 
soldiers, who volunteered, refused to permit them 
to go, and in one case where the Toledo veteran 
insisted on his departure the wife, as her husband 
marched off, cried, "I shall never see you any 
more," and fainted dead away. They lived to- 
gether happily, however, for many years after- 
wards. 

In the Civil war Sharon was represented by 
many brave soldiers, and after the conclusion of 
the war the township, at a cost of $1,500, erected 
a monument to the twenty-four soldiers from 
Sharon, who died in the war for the Union. 

The first church in Sliaron was called the 
Gillett church, after Amasa Gillett, who donated 
a beautiful burr oak grove for its site in 1831, 
the church, however, not being built until fifteen 
years later. The church, however, never got a 
Weed of the land, and as the church society was 
afterwards dissolved, the land reverted to the Rev. 
J. K. Gillett, a son of Amasa, who, in 1891, sold 
to Jesse P. Gillett, of Marshall. 

The Sharon Center church was built by the 
Congregationalists in 1848, with Oliver Kellogg, 
Micah Porter and Harvey .\nnabil as trustees. 
It soon became a Methodist church, and its first 
pastor was the Rev. Magee Bardwell. 



Among the prominent men in the township 
was Hon. Andrew Robison and his son, the Hon. 
John J. Robison. Both represented the county 
in the state legislature at different times, although 
of opposite politics. They came into the town- 
ship in 1843 from Ontario county, New York. 
The father was a member of the legislature in 
1851, was several times supervisor of the town- 
ship, and was appointed by Governor Blair to 
receive the soldiers' votes in the south during 
the war. He died January 27, 1879. Hon. John 
J. Robison was born in Ontario covmty. New 
York, August 13, 1824. He represented the 
county in the state senate in 1863 and 1864, and 
in the house in 1879. He was elected county clerk 
four times — 1868, 1870, 1882 and 1884. He rep- 
resented his township as supervisor for a number 
of terms and was the democratic candidate for 
speaker in the house at Lansing. He was a dele- 
gate to the democratic national convention in 
1872, and was the democratic candidate for con- 
gress in 1874 and 1876. Sharon also furnished to 
the state legislature Senator David G. Rose, who 
was state senator in 1881 and 1882. He also rep- 
resented his township as supervisor on various 
occasions. 

In 1837 Sharon had a population of 782, two 
sawmills and two merchants. Its farmers owned 
130 horses, 59 sheep, 1,030 hogs and 1,818 head 
of neat stock, and raised during that year 34,423 
bushels of wheat, 10,340 bushels of corn and 20,- 
055 bushels of oats. 

The supervisors of the township liave been: 

Oliver Kellogg 1835 

Ebenezer H. Conklin 1836 

Lazarus Hull 1837 

Lewis Allen 1838 

Alicah Porter 183Q-40 

Henry Rowe 1841 

Micah Porter 1842-43 

Lewis Allen 1844 

James H. Fellows 1845 

Amasa Gillett 1846-48 

Lewis Allen 1849 

Qiarles Kingsley 1850 

Andrew Robison 1851-52 

Hull Goodyear 1853-54 

Cyrus Raymond 1855 



790 PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 

Harvey E. Osborn 1856 time last summer, the subject of the followinsj 

Andrew Robison 1857-60 affidavit, Mrs. M — , a widow, died in Dixboro, 

Cyrus Raymond 1861 under circumstances which gave occasion to re- 
Jay Everett 1862-64 ports in the immediate neighborhood, that foul 

George Dorr 1865 play had been shown her. The matter, however. 

John W. Rice 1866 was suffered to fall into oblivion, without any 

John J. Robison 1867 attempt to ascertain the truth of these reports 

John J. Robison 1868 until the date of the affidavit below, when the 

Andrew Robison, vice J. J. R 1868 deponent voluntarily appeared before a justice of 

Andrew Robison 1869 the peace and made the deposition, a verbatim 

Emerson Annabil 1870 copy of which we give : 

William 1'. Osborn 1871 "The deponent, it is said by those who have 

Emerson Annabil 1872-74 called on him, is a man of good character — ap- 

John J. Robison 1875 pears- well on the most strict examination — and 

J. Everett 1876 seems to be fully aware of the singularity of his 

G. Edwin States 1877 position — a position which he would most gladly 

J. J. Robison 1878 evade if regard for truth would permit him. 

David G. Rose 1879 "Another evidence of his sincerity is found in 

John J. Robison 1881-82 the fact he left the house in obedience to the 

William B. Osborn 1883-88 wishes of the apparition. 

Albert H. Perry 1889-90 "ISut the subject would doubtless have been 

William P,. Osborn 1891-94 little regarded had not the intimation of the appa- 

William F. Hall 1895-01 rition, most singularly coincided with facts, which 

Morton L. Raymond 1902-03 the deponent, being a stranger from another state 

John W. Dresselhouse 1904 necessarily ignorant of the circumstances he so 

clearly stated, except he had previously learned 

SUPERIOR. them from some unknown source. This induced 

the community about the scene of the transaction, 

Superior was separated from Salem in 1831, to cause the Iwdy to be disinterred, and a coroner's 

when it ceased to be part of the township of inquest to be held, which, irrespective of the 

Panama. The township of Panama had been apparition, fcnmd a verdict that the deceased 

organized in 1S28 the first township meeting be- came to her deatli by poison 'administered by 

ing held at the house of John McCormick. When some person to them iniknown.' 

the township of Superior was organized, Angus- "The testimonv, given on the inquest, is sup- 

tus Root became supervisor. pressed ; what the end will be remains to be seen : 

In 1845 Superior was the scene of considerable the affidavit is as follows: 

excitement through the strange appearance of a " T, Isaac \'an Woert left Livingston county. 

ghost, the story of which was told in the Ypsi- New York, about the middle of September, 1845. 

lanti Sentinel of January 14, 1846, as follows: for the purpose of moving to Michignn with my 

"For some weeks past Di.xboro, in this county, family, and arrived on \\'ednesday the 24th day 

has been the theatre of an excitement so strange, of September and took lodgings the same night 

and giving ri.se to so many diverse reports, that in a vacant house, pointed out to me by Jackson 

we have thought a full account of its origin might Hawkins. 

prove acceptable to the public, while so far from " "On Saturday night the 27th of September 

doing injustice to the parties concerned, it would between 7 and 8 o'clock I was standing in front 

correct a vast number of unfounded reports with of the window of said house and my wife had 

which the public ear is filled. stepped into Mrs. Hammond's about two rods dis- 

"The circumstances are briefly these : Some tant, m\ two little bovs were in the back _\-ard, for 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



791 



I had just passed through the house, and was 
combing my hair, when I saw a light through the 
window : I put my hand on the window sill and 
looked in. I saw a woman with a candlestick in 
her hand in which a candle was burning; she held 
it in her left hand ; she was a middle sized 
woman, wore a loose gown, liad a white cloth 
arotmd her head, her right hand clasped in her 
clothes near the waist ; she was a little bent for- 
ward, her eye large and much sunken, very pale 
indeed, her lips projected and her teeth showed 
some ; she moved slowly across the floor until 
she entered the bedroom and the door closed ; I 
then went up and opened the bed-room door, and 
all was dark ; I stepped forward and lighted a 
candle with a match, looked forward but saw no 
one. nor heard any noise except just before I 
opened the bed-room door I thought I heard one 
of the bureau drawers open and shut. 

" T spoke of what I had seen several days after, 
and then I learned for the first time that the house 
in which I then lived had been previously occu- 
pied by a widow M — , and that she died there. 
The second time I saw her was in October about 
I o'clock in the morning. I got up, started to go 
out of the back door ; as T opened the bed-room 
door it was light in the outer room ; I saw no 
candle but I saw the same woman that I had seen 
before ; I was about five feet from her ; she said. 
"Don't, touch me not." I stepped back a little 
and asked her what she wanted, and she said. 
"He has got it. He robbed me little by little, until 
they kilt me! They kilt me! now he has got all." 
I then asked her who had it all? She said, "] — 
J — , yes J — has got it at last, but it won't do him 
long. Joseph I oh ! Joseph ; I wish Joseph would 
come away." Then all was dark and still. 

" 'October — The third time I saw her I awoke 
in the night, know not wdiat hour, the bed-room 
was entirely light ; I saw no candle but saw the 
same woman ; she said "J — can't hurt me any 
more. No ! he can't. I am out of his reach. Why 
don't they get Joseph away ! Oh ! my boy ! Why 
not come away." And all was dark and still. 

" 'October — The fourth time I saw her was 
about eleven o'clock p. m. 1 was sitting with my 
feet on the stove hearth. .My family had retired 
and I was eating a limch when all at once the 



front door stood open, and I saw the same woman 
in the door, supported in the arms of a man whom 
I knew : she was stretched back and looked as if 
she was in the agonies of death ; she said nothing 
hut the man said, "She is dying! She will die," 
etc.. and all disappeared and the door was closed 
without noise. 

" 'October — The fifth time I saw her was a 
little after sunrise. I came out of the house to go 
to my work. I saw the same woman in the front 
yard. She said, "I want Joseph to keep my 
papers but they are" — here something s^eemed to 
stop her utterance. Then she said "Joseph ! 
Joseph ! I fear something will befall my hoy :" and 
all was gone.' 

" 'October — The si.xth time 1 saw" her was near 
midnight, and it was the same woman standing 
in the bed-room. The room was again light as 
before, no candle visible. I looked at my wife 
fearing she might awake. She then raised her 
hand and said, "She will not awake;"' she seemed 
to be in great pain, she then leaned over grasp- 
ing her bowels in one hand and in the other held 
a phial containing a liquid. T asked her what it 
was. "The doctor said it was P)alm of Gilead." 
she replied ; and all disappeared. 

" 'October — The seventh time I saw her. I was 
working at a little bench, which was standing in 
the room, and which T worked on evenings. I 
saw the same woman. "I wanted to tell James 
something, but I could not. I could not ;" I asked 
what she wanted to tell; "Oh! he did an awful 
thing to me." I asked her who did? "The man 
they would not let me have." she answered. I 
asked her what he did ? "Oh ! he gave me a great 
deal of trouble in my mind." she replied "Oh ! 
they kilt me; they kilt me!" She repeated this 
several times over. 1 walked forward and tried 
to reach her but she kept the same distance from 
me. I asked her if she had taken anything that 
had killed her? She answered. "Oh! T don't — 
Oh! I don't." — the froth in her mouth seemed to 
stop lu-r utterance. Then she said "Oh. thev 
kilt me ! they kilt me!'' This she repeated a num- 
ber of times. I asked her, who killed you ? "I 
will show you." she .said. Then she went out of 
the back door near the fence and I followed her. 
'I'here I saw two men whom I knew standing. 



792 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



They looked cast down and dejected. I saw 
them begin at their feet and melt down like lead 
melting, until they were entirely melted ; then a 
blue blaze two inches thick burned over the sur- 
face of the melted mass, then all began bubbling 
up like lime slacking. I turned to see where the 
woman was, but she was gone. I looked back 
again and all was gone and dark. 

'■ 'The next time I saw the woman was in the 
back \-ard, about five o'clock p. m. She said, "I 
want you to tell J — to repent. Oh ! if he would 
repent. But he won't, he can't. John was a bad 
man :" and muttered something I could not un- 
derstand. She then said, "Do you know where 
Frain's Lake is?" She then asked another ques- 
tion of much importance and said, "Don't tell of 
that. I asked her if I should inform the public 
on the two men that she said had killed her. She 
replied, "There will be a time. The time is com- 
ing. The time will come." etc., several times. 
"But, oh ! their end ! Their end ! their wicked 
end! and muttered something about Joseph, and 
all was dark. 

" "The next time I saw her was on the sixth of 
November, about miilnight, in the bed-room. She 
was dressed in white: her hands hung down by 
her side — stood very straight, and looked very 
pale. She said, "I don't want anybody here. I 
want nobody here :" and muttered over something 
I did not understand, except now and then the 
word Joseph. She then said, "I wanted to tell a 
secret and I thought I had.'' And all was gone 
and dark. 

■' 'In all her conversation she used the Irish 
accent : intermixed in all her conversation was the 
expression very often repeated. "They have kilt 
me, oh they have kilt me;" and also the name of 
Joseph.' " 

Alany of the people of the neighborhood 
placed implicit belief in the testimony of the 
ghosts and Frayne's Lake and the well were 
searched for the supposed victims of the murders 
but, of course, none were discovered. Manv others 
believed that the stor\- was a part of a well-laid 
conspiracy to secure the removal of a certain man 
from the community, and if this were so, thev 
are said to have been successful. 

The boiler in Cornvvell's mill at Lowell ex- 



ploded October 19, 1888, badly wrecking the 
building, killing one man and fatally injuring 
another. 

James Richards, an eccentric seventy-\ear-old 
Englishman, who lived alone three miles from 
Dixboro, was murdered Saturday night, January 
31, 1897. He had been shot through the body 
with a large revolver. He was not instantly 
killed and was not discovered imtil 3 o'clock Sun- 
day afternoon. He was alive when found but so 
badly frightened that he was afraid of every one 
and no account of the tragedy could be obtained 
from him. He died at 3 o'clock Monday morn- 
ing. P>ut the appearance of the freshly fallen 
snow, the condition of the door, the room and the 
surroundings told the tale as plainly as words 
could have done. He was a miser and ten years 
before had been robbed of over $1,000 after being 
tortured to make him tell the hiding place for his 
money without success. He became insane from 
this torture and had been sent to an asylum and 
recovered and was living a lonely but harmless 
life in one of the few log houses remaining in 
Washtenaw. The murder grew out of another 
attem])ted robbery. Three men had driven up 
with a cutter from the direction of Frayne's Lake. 
One man stayed with the horse by the roadside, 
while two went across the field to the log house. 
They had forced in the door of the house and 
been met by the old man with a pitchfork. They 
had made use of the door to protect themselves 
against the lunges with the pitchfork Richards 
had made and the door was badly scarred with 
marks of the fork. One of them had procured 
a pole and had struck the old man across the 
shoulder : the pole bore marks of the fork tines. 
Put they did not succeed in disarming the old 
man. Finally they shot him through the body 
and stole his money. How much they took is not 
known, but it is not probable that they got much, 
as the bulk of his money had been in a bank since 
the previous robbery. It was a brave battle that 
Richards had put up and a desperate one and 
probablv lasted for some time. William Parkins, 
Rupert Jones and Edward Lyons, three Plymouth 
men, were arrested and charged with the crime, 
but were accpiitted. Xo further efforts were made 
to discover the murderers of James Richards. 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



793 



Not less than eight sawmills have been in op- 
eration at various periods in Superior, seven of 
which were run by water power, and one by 
steam power. Two were located at Dixboro, two 
at Lowell, one on section 25. one on section 26, 
and one on section 36, as well as one on section 
12. Three flouring- mills, two built at Dixboro 
and one at Lowell, have disappeared. At Lowell 
existed at one time the Bank of Lowell, one of 
those wildcat banks which did a great business. 
At Lowell in more recent years has been estab- 
lished a large paper mill. 

The Methodist Episcopal church v^-as built in 
1858 and a free church, intended for all denom- 
inations, was built 1)\' Col. r>rewer and Abel Park- 
hurst in 1855. 

Superior, at the present writing, has within its 
borders only the ]\Iichigan Central Railroad at its 
extreme southwest corner, so that most of the 
township is some distance from a railroad. Within 
the last two or three years the Superior farmers 
have anticipated with great pleasure the building 
of an electric line between Ann Arbor and De- 
troit by way of Plymouth, passing through Su- 
perior, and known as the Poland line; but unfor- 
tunately at this writing, although much of the 
right of way for the road has been secured, it 
seems hardly probable that the line will be built. 

In 1837 Superior had a population of 1,378, two 
gristmills, six sawmills and two merchants. This 
is a larger population than any town contains 
to-day. 

The supervisors of Superior have been : 

Augustus Root 1829 

Geo. Renwick 1830-32 

Augustus Root 1833-34 

Joseph Howe 1835-36 

Rob. T. Wheelock 1837-40 

Joseph Howe 1841 

Silas Wheelock 1842 

E. R. Murray 1843 

Frederick .\ndrews 1844 

Elijah R. Murray 1845 

Daniel Tibbetts 1846 

Daniel Crippcn 1847 

John Brewer 1848-49 

Smith W. Bowers 1850 

George Douglass 1851-53 



L. L. Kimmell 1854 

L. W. Bowers 1855-56 

Edward Goodspeed 1857 

John Brewer 1858 

Ira Crippen 1859 

E. M. Cole i960 

William Hiscock 1861 

E. M. Cole i860 

Warren Babcock 1867-68 

William Geer i86g 

Ira Crippen 1870 

William Gecr 1871-72 

Freeman P. Galpin 1873-81 

George McDougal 1882-3 

William C. Murray 1884-5 

Peter T. Gill 1886-7 

George D. Grippen 1888-9 

William Geer 1889 

Michael J. Howard 1890-2 

Peter Gill 1893 

Philo E. Galpin 1894 

Walter \'oorhcis 1895-00 

Robert Shanklin 1901-3 

Ennis R. Twist 1904- 

SYLVAN. 

Although when the pioneers first visited Sylvan 
township, in the words of an early settler "They 
beheld a beautiful undulating country gemmed 
in part with clear lakes, and diversified by a range 
of romantic hills, the surface covered with oak 
openings that did not stand too thickly to prevent 
the growth of the luxurious blue grass beneath. 
Owing to all these natural advantages the hard- 
ships of the pioneers were ameliorated and the 
early settlers of the township were provided with 
feed for their stock and other necessaries, which 
very much lessened the hazard of beginning life 
in a new country. Game and fish were abundant, 
herds of deer were constantly seen cropping the 
rich herbage of the hills, and they made a novel 
and beautiful picture as they were seen amid the 
orchards of oaks, feeding leisurely or careering 
swiftly among the trees." Although this was all 
true, when Michigan was admitted into the Union 
.Sylvan township had a smaller number of inhab- 
itants than any other township in Washtenaw ex- 



794 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



ceptiiig Lxiulon. The village of Chelsea had not 
yet been heard of when Washtenaw county had 
half as many people within its bordi'rs as it has 
to-tlay. Owing largely to the growth and enter- 
prise of Chelsea, to-day the township oi Sylvan 
has the largest population of any township in the 
county, and the village of Chelsea is the largest 
village in Washtenaw. 

The township of Sylvan vras organizetl in 1834. 
and the first town meeting was held at the house 
of Samuel Dunham, on the first Monday in April. 
1834. Edmund E. ConUlin was moderator of the 
meeting, and Stephen J. Chase clerk. The fol- 
lowing townshii) ticket was elected : Supervisor — 
Xathan I'ierce : Town Clerk — Elisha Congdon : 
Assessors — Stephen Chase. C)rlo Fenn and Ed- 
ward E. Conklin ; Constable and Collector — Cal- 
vin Hicox ; Overseers of the Poor — Daniel Fenn 
and Samuel Dunham : Commissioners of High- 
ways and Fence \'iewers — Truman I^awrence. 
M. Medcalf and Asahel Backus: Road Masters — 
Nathan I'ierce and Edmund E. Conklin : Com- 
missioners of Schools — Thomas H. Godfred. 
Samuel Dimham and Echnund E. Conklin ; In- 
spectors of Common Schools — Nathan Pierce. 
John R. Jewett, Truman Lawrence. John L'. Wi- 
nans and Edmund E. Conklin. Sylvan early 
showed its recognition of the country's soldiers 
by electing as its first supervisor a veteran of the 
W'ar of 1 81 2. 

When ^Michigan was admitted as a state, there 
was but one merchant in the township of S\lvan. 
Stephen \\'inans, who was located at Pierceville, 
a hamlet which has long since jiassed awaw 
Pierceville was at the jimction of the north and 
south territorial roads, south of Chelsea, on the 
land of Elisha Congdon. Pierceville was 
a postoffice and .\lbert C. Holt was post- 
master. A physician was located here, a 
Dr. Stewart. Israel Bailey ran a blacksmith 
shop, while postmaster Holt had a sash and door 
factory. Pierceville might have been what Chel- 
sea is to-day if it had been lucky enough to gain 
the enterprising inhabitants that Chelsea has had. 
When the .Michigan Central railroad was built it 
did not strike Pierceville, but a station was erected 
called Davidson's Station, after Hugh Davidson, 



and Daviilson's Station soon absorbed Pierceville. 
Air. Congdon bought out the Holt properly. Dr. 
Stewart's property, and one b_\' one the buildings 
were moved to new locations. The little business 
center which grew up around Davidson's .Station 
was known throughout the country as "(jun- 
town." because an old man whom the boys called 
"Old ("iinm" lived there. The station was merely 
a stopping place for trains, having no depot until 
a rough station house was built in 184S, and a 
station agent, who was also a track repairer and 
wood sawyer for die road, was placed there. 
Elisha Congdon bought land at Davidson's Sta- 
tion and James Seeley established a store there. 
In the fall of 1848 the newly erected station was 
burned and the fire was believed to have been 
started hv an incendiary but it was never rebuilt 
as die road believed that it could accommodate 
the people of Manchester better at the point now 
called Chelsea, and decided to huild their new 
station at this place which was then called Ke- 
dron, which was because, we are told, a creek 
ran near the locality. The first building located 
in Chelsea was a blacksmith shop which was built 
by Lewis L. Randall, who died in Lima. Novem- 
ber J4. 1S87. '^t ^'i*-' ''S'-' "• '^.^- ' '"^ blacksmith 
shop stood until 1884, when it was remo\rd to 
make room for the Chelsea creamery. 

Chelsea is located on land which was owned 
by the two brothers. Elisha and James Congdon. 
I'xith of these l:)rothers represented Washtenaw 
comUv in tlu' Michigan legislature. l-'Iisha Cong- 
don in the legislatures of 1863 and 1864, and 
James Al. in tlie legislatures of 1871 and 1872. 
Thev came to Michigan in 1832. James Al. Cong- 
don. buying 300 acres of land, the eastern limit of 
which is now Main street. Chelsea, and Elisha 
Congdon buving 160 acres of land on the eastern 
side of what is now Main street. They were na- 
tives of Connecticut. Elisha Congdon built a 
frame iiouse on his land about 184c) where the 
Congdon family mansion, afterwards the McKone 
House, was later erected, and this was the first 
dwelling house in what became Chelsea. This 
house was afterwards moved to the corner of 
Alain and Church streets. The Chelsea station of 
the .Michigan Central Railroad was built in 1850, 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



795 



and in the fall of that year Elisha Congdon built 
the first store in Chelsea on the east side of Main 
street, near the railroad. 

In the fall of 1850 the village was platted by 
Elisha and James Congdon. In the same year a 
brick blacksmith shop was built on the east side 
of Alain street, north of the railroad, by C. H. 
Wines, for Aaron Durand and Xewton Robinson. 
That year also Asel Harris built a hotel in which 
there was a saloon, just south of the depot. In 
1 85 1 John C. Winan.s built a barn in which he 
lived with his family while constructing his 
house, and also a store on the corner of Middle 
and Main streets. In 1852 William Smith and 
Thomas Hastings each built stores, and in 1854 
the Fenn brothers and Mr. Clark erected stores. 
It will be seen that Chelsea began to grow rap- 
idly from its very inception. During these years 
Thomas Godfrey moved to Chelsea from .Sylvan 
Center, and built the Chelsea House. Jacob Ik-rry, 
who located in 1852 in the village, was a carpen- 
ter who worked on many of the first buildings of 
the village, as did Elijah Hammond, who was one 
of the early settlers. The first death in Chelsea 
was that of Louis Backus, and the first birth that 
of Edward Sargent. 

As has been stated the building of the Michigan 
Central was the direct cause of the downfall of 
Pierceville and the growth of Chelsea; and Chel- 
sea has proved to be one of the greatest shipping 
l)oints. for its size, upon the line of the Michigan 
Central. The first shipment from Chelsea was 
made on May 2. 1850. by M. P. Hutchins. and 
consisted of a single barrel of eggs, weighing 130 
pounds and consigned to Detroit. The second 
shipment was made four days later and consisted 
of two boxes, one shipped by Thomas G. Miller 
and the other by the first station agent, Finn. The 
station at Chelsea originally consisted of what 
might be called a freight house and it was not 
until 1880 that the village had a passenger depot, 
when a fine large station was opened to the trav- 
eling public in December, 1880. 

Elisha Congdon was the first president of Chel- 
sea village and Henry Kempf the second presi- 
dent. In the big fire of 1870 the village records 
were destroyed so that a list of the first village 
officers would be hard to find. The state red 



book even leaves the date of the incorporation of 
the village blank, stating that the records were 
burned in i860, leaving no record of the original 
date. The first school in Chelsea was in a build- 
ing near the present Congregational church, and 
was taught by W. F. Hatch. In 1854 a house 
was built on the corner of West South and Middle 
streets, which was used for school purposes until 
i860, after which time it was occupied as a resi- 
dence by Heman Woods. In i860 a brick union 
schoolhouse was erected on the corner of East 
and East South streets. Elisha Congdon contract- 
ing to build it for $5,000. In 1875 a $3,000 addi- 
tion was made to the building, and in 1880 a 
smaller building for the primary department was 
built adjacent to the union school. 

The Congregational Church of Chelsea was or- 
ganized in the winter of 1849. and for a time serv- 
ices were held at schoolhouses in the neighbor- 
hood until a church was built in 1851. This 
church is the successor to a church organized in 
the \'ermont settlement, March 21, 1835, under 
the name of the Presbyterian Church of Sylvan, 
at a meeting over which Rev. Mr. Beech presided, 
with Mahlon Wines as clerk, .\mong the mem- 
bers in 1835 were Ira Spaulding. William D. 
Davis. John C. Winans. Obed Cravath, Alfred C. 
Holt, Mrs. Chloe Spaulding, Abigail Davis, 
Hannah Cravath, Lucy E. Cravath, Adaline L. 
Holt. Matilda Lawrence. Ann Wines. Lucy Da- 
vis. Harriet Warner. Sarah Beacon and Mehitable 
Preston. The first pastor of the Congregational 
Church of Chelsea was the Rev. Josephus Mor- 
ton, and the earlier succeeding pastors were Rev. 
Thomas Joiies, Rev. Hiram Elmer. Rev. James 
F. Ta\lor. Rev. O. M. Thompson, Rev. Robert 
Hovington. Rev. Benjamin Franklin, Rev. D. F. 
Hathaway. Rev. Thomas Holmes. The church 
building was burned February 18, 1894, and a 
new church was erected. 

The Methodist Episcopal church of Chelsea 
was organized I)y the Rev. .Mr. Hedger, who 
was then preaching at Lima, in 1853. the mem- 
bers of the first class including Mr. and Mrs. 
.M. M. Boyd. Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. BoUes, and 
-Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Berry. The first regular pas- 
tor was the Rev. Ebenezer Steele and the earlier 
pastors who succeeded him were Rev. E. H. 



796 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Brockway. Rev. Stephen C. Stringham, Rev. 
Mannasseh Hickey. Rev. Orrin Whitmore. Rev. 
William Anderson, Rev. William Shier, Rev. Air. 
May, Rev. George Smith, Rev. George Lowe, Rev. 
John Levington, Rev. David Caster, Rev. William 
Holt, Rev. J. W. Campbell and Rev. D. Shier. At 
first the services of this church were held in the 
Congregational church building. They began to 
build a structure of their own in 1858, finishing it 
in 1859. This was replaced in 189 — by the pres- 
ent large and handsome structure in which they 
hold services. 

The first Catholic church in the vicinity of 
Chelsea was built four miles northwest of Chel- 
sea, and was a building surrounded by a cemeterx" 
which is still used for burying the dead. It is 
thought that the church was organized by the 
Rev. Father Cullen, of Ann Arbor, who organ- 
ized many of the Catholic churches in the county. 
The first officiating priest in this section was the 
Rev. Father Hennessey, of Detroit. Rev. John 
Van Genip of the Dexter church held services in 
Chelsea for some time, and in 1869 a church was 
built in Chelsea, and Rev. Father Patrick Duhig 
was placed in charge of it. The church cost 
about $12,000, and a priest's residence was soon 
erected at a cost of $4,000. Money has been sub- 
scribed and plans drawn to build a $20,000 paro- 
chial school to be completed by September i. igo6. 

The Baptist church was organized in Chelsea 
at the residence of Dr. R. B. Gates on April 28, 
1868, with nineteen members, and Frank Everett 
was iTiade deacon. The first pastor was Rev. H. 
J. Brown, who was succeeded on October 26, 1868. 
by the Rev. J. C. Armstrong, during whose pas- 
torate a church was built on Main street at a cost 
of $6,000. Rev. 'SIt. Armstrong was succeeded 
by Rev. Mr. G. Meseleias, Rev. L. C. Pettengill, 
Rev. William Bird, Rev. A. A. Hopkins, Rev. 
E. .-V. Gay and others. A parsonage was erected 
in 1876 and in 1880 the church originally built 
was enlarged. 

St. Paul's German Lutheran church was or- 
ganized February 2. 1868, the original member- 
ship being G. Wackemhut, G. Heselschwerdt, M. 
Lehman, J. Bieler. F. \"ogel, D. Faist. J. Schaible. 
G. Mast, I. Vogt, J. Schumacher, T. Morlock. F. 
Bresemle, J. Fahner, J. Scheflfel. J. Schultz, A. 
Buss and F. Buss. 



\'ernor lodge, I. O. O. F., was founded March 
31, 1861, by James M. Congdon, J. Berry, A. 
Blackney. E. Hammond. D. Tompkins, A. Natten 
and Stephen Siegfried. The records of this lodge 
were burned in the fire of 1876. Olive lodge. 
No. 156, F. & .\. "SI., has long flourished in Chel- 
sea, its records like so many other Chelsea records 
having been consumed in fires. Chelsea to-day 
be in a flourishing condition. 
has many secret societies, all of which seem to 

Oak Grove cemetery was established in Sep- 
tember, i860, and much pains have been taken 
to render it beautiful. 

The Chelsea Savings Bank is the lineal suc- 
cessor of the co-partnership of Noyes & Glazier 
formed in August, 1868, bet\veen Michael J. 
Noyes, of Chelsea, and George P. Glazier who had 
recently come from Palmer, Jackson county, for 
the purpose of setting up a bank exchange busi- 
ness in Chelsea. To tliis business, three months 
later, they added a brick store, and in April, 1871, 
]\Ir. Glazier purchased Mr. Noyes' interest and 
continued the business of banking alone for nine 
years, associating Dr. Armstrong with him in the 
drug business. In Januar}-, 1880, a state bank 
was formed with S. G. Ives, president ; George P. 
Glazier, cashier ; and Thomas S. Sears, Luther 
James, A. T. Gordon and Heman T. Woods, \\'ith 
the president and cashier, directors. This bank 
now occupies a beautiful memorial building- 
erected to the memory of George P. Glazier at a 
cost of $60,000 in 1902, and no other village in 
the state of ]Michigan possesses as handsome a 
bank building as the village of Chelsea. 

The banking house of R. Kempf & Bros, w^s 
established in 1876 and was afterwards reor- 
ganized as the Kempf Commercial Savings Rink 
and has been doing a safe, conservative and pros- 
perous business. 

Chelsea has been visited by several big fires, 
the first of which occurred in April. 1870, when 
the entire row of buildings on the west side of 
Main street between ^Middle street and the rail- 
road was consumed. The fire caught in the tailor 
shop of George Buel and soon the entire block of 
wooden buildings was in flames. The block was 
immediately rebuilt, much better buildings being 
erected. In February, 1871, the store of James 
Hudler in the center of the new row of buildings 



I 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



797 



was burned, but the fire was kept from commu- 
nicating to the adjoining buildings. In Novem- 
ber, 1876, the east side of Main street between 
Middle street and the Chelsea House was burned, 
the fire originating in a saloon in the middle of 
the block. The burned buildings were wooden 
structures, and were replaced by brick stores. At 
1 1 o'clock Tuesday night, February 8, 1887, fire 
started in J. Bacon's hardware store and burned 
until 4 o'clock in the morning, when with the aid 
of the Jackson fire department it was extin- 
guished, but not until a loss of $23,CX)0 had been 
inflicted. The hardware store of J. Bacon, E. G. 
Hoeg & Co.'s bazaar, Drury's meat market and 
Van Husen's restaurant were burned and adjoin- 
ing buildings damaged. On Sunday, February 
18, 1894, the Glazier stove works office and ware- 
rooms, part of the Chelsea House, the Congega- 
tional church and parsonage. Fire raged from 2 
to 5 p. m. The village chemical engine was 
useless and a steamer arrived from Jackson at 4 
p. m. Loss $35,000. On March 25, 1895, fire 
broke out in the tin shop of the Glazier stove 
works and inflicted a loss of $50,000 with $31,000 
insurance. 

Chelsea owns its own water works and electric 
light plants. These were built by a private com- 
pany, of which Frank P. Glazier was the prin- 
cipal owner. They were afterwards sold to the 
village for $40,000. 

The principal manufactory of Chelsea is the 
Chelsea stove works. These employ a large num- 
ber of men and have proven very prosperous. 
New buildings have been erected from time to 
time and the plant extended to mammoth pro- 
portions. Hitherto they have been making an oil 
stove, but plans are now on foot to erect several 
large new buildings and to make gas and coal 
stoves. 

The night of September 10, 1863, John C. 
Depew, a leading farmer of the township who 
had several times been its supervisor, and who 
was a democratic candidate for the legislature, 
was murdered, but the perpetrators of the mur- 
der were never discovered. He was at the time 
engaged in selling agricultural implements in 
Chelsea and was supposed to have had a con- 
siderable sum of money upon his person, when 
48 



he started from the village in the evening for 
his home about a mile west of the village. He 
never reached home ; and a search instituted for 
him found his body three days later near the 
western limits of Chelsea, concealed in some tall 
grass. His head had been crushed by some blunt 
instrument ; and on an inquest held before Justice 
W. Turnbull the jury decided that his death had 
been caused by a slingshot or other blunt instru- 
ment in the hands of some unknown person. Mr. 
Depew, who was at the time of his death forty 
years of age and had been a resident of the town- 
ship since 1831, left a wife and five children. 
While the real perpetrators of the murder were 
never discovered, George Cleveland was tried for 
the murder, convicted, and sentenced to life im- 
prisonment. After serving two years he was 
pardoned by Governor Austin Blair on the 
ground that he had clearly proven an alibi, being 
with his regiment at Chicago at the time of the 
murder. 

There have been a number of deaths at Chel- 
sea caused by railroad accidents, .^mong them 
was that of P. Montague, killed by a train while 
attempting to cross the track west of the station ; 
Mrs. Margaret McNamara. killed at about the 
same spot. October 13, 1878; and Gerald Crow- 
ley, who was killed in 1862. In 1867 Mrs. Wil- 
liam Wines, wife of the principal of the Chelsea 
school and a teacher in the school, was crossing 
the track at noon ahead of a train, when her foot 
caught in the track and the train killed her. She 
died in about four hours after the accident. A 
German baker who wished to stop at Chelsea, 
finding that the train on which he was did not 
stop, jumped from the train while it was going at 
full speed, striking on his head and dashing out 
his brains. John Corey, aged 21, was killed Feb- 
ruary 25, 1899, by jumping off a train which did 
not stop at Chelsea. His arms and legs were 
mangled and head crushed. William Oesterle was 
killed a half mile west of Chelsea by being struck 
by a freight train on the Michigan Central. Leo 
Wade, aged fourteen, was killed by being struck 
by an electric car near Chelsea, Januarv 25, 1906. 

There are a number of lakes in Sylvan town- 
ship, including Cavanaugh. Crooked. Mill, Cedar, 
Doyle, Lehman's, Rudolph, Snake and Goose. 



7^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Around Cavanaugh lake a large cluster of sum- 
mer cottages has been built. 

The hamlet of Sylvau Center was a postoffice 
until rural free delivery was established. In ter- 
ritorial days William Dunham had a tavern at 
this point and in 1838 Elihu Frisbee opened the 
first store. He was followed in 1839 ^Y George 
Lord and in 1841 by John C. Winans, who ran 
a store there for ten years, during which time he 
was postmaster, moving his store to Chelsea in 
185 1. About this period Joseph Perr}' ran a 
grocery and saloon, and in the years following 
Thomas H. Godfrey ran a store at this point. In 
1853 a grist mill was established, the money to 
build it with being raised by subscription. It 
was run for a number of years by Orlando Boyd. 

P.ut the tavern at Sylvan Center was probabl\' 
not the first in the township, for in 1832 Hugh 
Davidson had a hotel east of the short hills and 
Andrew Murray had one a mile west of Sylvan 
Center. 

The first cemetery in Sylvan township was 
started on section 24 at the time of the death of 
Airs. Jesse C. Smith, in 1835, her deatli being the 
first death in the township. .\s there was no 
cemetery at the time, Aaron Lawrence donated 
ground for a cemetery, and the body of Mrs. 
Smith was the first one buried in it. This ceme- 
tery has since been enlarged to two acres and 
many of the pioneers of the township are buried 
in it. 

The first schoolhouse in the township wa? bnih 
just south of the residence of Stephen J. Chase, 
and Miss Harriet Wines, afterwards Mrs. Dennis 
W^arner, of De.xter, was the first teacher. 

In 1833 the First r>aptist Church of Christ 
was organized, the meeting for this purpose being 
held on July 5th. and the sermon being preached 
by Elder C. Twiss. The fourteen original mem- 
bers who were present at this meeting and pre- 
sented letters were Benjamin Danielson, T. C. 
P. Fenn, Orlo H. Fenn, Luther Chipman. Calvin 
Chipman, Mrs. Eunice Danielson, Mrs. Huldah 
Fenn, Mrs. Sallie Gage, Mrs. Fannie Hammond, 
Mrs. Euseba Chipman, Mrs. Celinda Chipman. 
Mrs. Ruth Eastman, and Mrs. Betsev .\nn Fenn. 
Elder Benjamin Danielson was the first pastor 
and the first meetings were held in the log school- 



house at Bingham's Mills, the meetings afterward 
being held in a frame schoolhouse; and in 1851 
it was decided to locate the church at Sylvan Cenr 
ter. w^here meetings were held in the Sylvan Cen- 
ter schoolhouse until in a few months a church 
building was erected. The first pastor of the 
newly built church was Rev. Mr. Hosford. In 
1 87 1 the Baptist church at Sylvan Center joined 
the Chelsea Baptist church. 

In 1837 Sylvan township had a population of 
480, 62 horses, 98 sheep, 660 hogs and 576 head 
of neat stock : and during the years its farmers 
had raised 6,893 bushels of wheat. 2,530 bushels 
of corn, 8,280 bushels of oats, 1,409 bushels of 
buckwheat and 10 1 pounds of flax. At this time 
there was a grist mill and one merchant within its 
limits. 

The supervisors of Sylvan since 1849 have 
been : 

Joel P.. Boyington 1849-51 

Ste])hen J. Chase 1852-3 

.\zel Backus 1854 

Hiram Pierce 1855 

John C. Depew 1856-7 

Thos. fl. Codfrey 1858 

Pliram Pierce 1859-60 

Horace .V. Smith 1861 

John C. Depew 1862 

Hiram Pierce 1863 

Horace A. Smith 1864-7 

Orrin Thatclur 1868-72 

M. J. Xoyes 1873-4 

Wm. F. Hatch 1875-7 

Timothy McKone 1878 

W. E. Depew 1879-80 

Erastus S. Cooper 1881 

James L. Gilbert 1882-93 

Hiram Lighthall 1894-8 

William Bacon 1899-02 

Frank Sweetland 1903 

Jacob Hummel 1904 

WEBSTER. 

Hon. Jeremiah D. Williams, a member of the 
legislature of 1855, and an old settler of Webster, 
has left us the following well written history 
of the township, which was published in the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



799 



Michigan Pioneer Collections of 1889, Vol. XIII, 
pages 546 to 567. 

"When the leading men who first settled the 
township hegan to cast about for a name, their 
deliberations resulted in adopting the name of 
Webster, after Daniel Webster, who was, at that 
time, in the zenith of his political fame, the leader 
of the whig party, the model statesman, and the 
great expounder of the constitution. Munnis 
Kenny has the credit of suggesting the name, 
and Luther Boyden endorsed it. Both of these 
gentlemen were ardent admirers of Webster. 

"The territorial legislative act organizing the 
township, is as follows : 

" 'An act to organize the township of Webster, 
in the countv of Washtenaw." Approved March, 

1833- 
" "Be it enacted by the legislature council of the 

Territory of Michigan, — 

" 'That, the township No. I south, range 5 
east, is hereby erected into a separate township 
to be called "W'ebster," and the same shall be or- 
ganized, and hrst town meeting held on the first 
Monday in April, 1833, at the house of John 
Williams.' 

"Pursuant to the above act the electors of the 
township of Webster met at the house of John 
Williams on the first iMonday it being the first 
day of April. 1833. Calvin Smith, justice of the 
peace, was moderator, Pierpont L. .Smith and 
Theodore Foster were inspectors of election, and 
Moses Kingsley clerk. 

"The balloting for supervisor resulted in the 
election of John Williams over Theophilus Craw- 
ford, Williams receiving 26 votes and Crawford 
25. .\nd here you will notice a peculiarity of 
proceedings at these early township meetings. 
Fach officer was elected separately, supervisor 
first, then township clerk, and so on until all the 
offices were filled. INIoses Kingsley was chosen 
clerk unanimously, he receiving 51 votes, the whole 
number of votes cast. Pierpont L. Smith, Sal- 
mon H. Matthews and Israel .\rms were chosen 
assessors. Frederick B. Parsons was chosen con- 
stable and collector. Sterns Kimberly, Russel 
Cooley and Charles Starks were chosen highway 
commissioners. Thomas Barber was elected poor 
director: Charles G. Clark. Peter Scars and 



Moses Kingsley school inspectors. Ira Seymour. 
Thomas Barber and Palmer Force were chosen 
commissioners of schools. 

"The township of Webster is bounded on the 
south bv Hamburg, in Livingston county ; east 
by Northfield ; south by Scio, and west by the 
township of Dexter. 

"The surface of the country is generally undu- 
lating. Boyden's plain, which is about one mile 
in length, and about three-quarters of a mile in 
width, is nearly level. There are no high hills and 
no large swamps. 

"The soil is variable. Boyden's plain is a good 
burr oak soil, generally gravelly loam. Clayey 
loam prevails generally throughout the southern 
and middle portions of the town : while in the 
northern, where more marsh land is found, there 
is considerable sandy land. 

"The timber, also, is variable, being what is 
commonly called timbered openings, with some 
exceptions. Southwest from Boyden's plain is a 
belt of timbered land consisting of the various 
kinds of oak, with hickory, some oak, and some 
bass. And on the south side of section 27 and 
the north side of 34, there is a belt of timber 
which nia\' with considerable propriety be called 
timbered land. Another small jiatch of timber is 
found north of the center of the town. The tim- 
ber consists of the several varieties of oak of this 
country, ash. elm, some beech, and so much ma- 
]-)le that the Indians made sugar for many years 
previous to the settlement of the town, and tlie 
men who located most of this timbered land made 
sugar semi-occasionally subsequently. 

"In this belt of tinilicr considerable black wal- 
nut was found. One tree in particular we think 
deserves a passing notice. It stood on land lo- 
cated by John Williams, and subsei|uentlv deed 
by him to his son, Spencer Williams, now owned 
by Osbert Williams. This tree was cut down 
and sawed into twelve foot logs by Salmon H. 
Matthews and Ezra Fish, some time during the 
winter of '27 and '28. They loaded one of the 
smallest of the logs on an ox sled and drew it 
about ten rods. There the sled broke and the log 
was abandoned. The others were not removed 
from the place where the tree fell for a long time 
afterward. This tree was seven feet in diaineter 



8oo 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



at the base. Some of the branches made lair sized 
saw logs, some of tliem being a Httle over two 
feet in diameter. This big black walnut tree stood 
in a ravine through which runs a creek made by 
the rain and melting snows of spring. The for- 
mation of the ground where the tree stood is such 
that the sediment carried down by the water has 
covered the remaining limbs, and they are thereby 
kept in a state of preservation. The stump is still 
standing, but is much decayed. It has been vis- 
ited by many persons, and is known as the big 
black walnut stump. 

■'The productions are wheat, corn, oats, barley, 
hay, wool, pork, etc. Fruit of all varieties is 
found in this latitude. In the early history of the 
town, peaches and plums were abundant. 

"Broom corn has been cultivated to some ex- 
tent at different times. Moses Kingsley and 
Henry Montague raised the first broom corn in 
the town, on the farm of John Williams, in the 
summer of 1835. Their plant was twelve acres. 
Subsequently Capt. J. B. Arms, Oramel Arms, S. 
H. Ball, Caleb Thurber, and I think some others, 
raised broom corn and manufactured brooms quite 
extensively for several years. 

"Sorghum also received considerable atten- 
tion, and at one time the establishment of Amos 
Ball, Esq., for the manufacture of sorghum 
syrup, was a place of interest and notoriety. 

"The deer and wolf were the largest animals, 
and they were numerous for a few years subse- 
quent to the year 1826; occasionally there was also 
a stray bear. Several beaver dams were found, 
but it is believed that no beaver were seen later 
than '28 and '29. Red and gray foxes were quite 
common ; also raccoon, and occasionally they are 
seen at the present time. Wild turkeys were often 
seen by the score by the early settlers, and some 
few have been seen till quite recently. 

"The largest number of deer your historian 
remembers of having seen and counted at any one 
time, was eleven. Less numbers were seen often, 
and sometimes they passed within a few rods of 
w-here he was. 

"The wolf was a formidable animal, and it was 
no uncommon occurrence to hear them howl at 
night. In the vicinity of where is now the Web- 
ster Congregational church, any one in the fall 



of 1828 could get up a wolf howl in the night by 
making a howling noise in imitation of the wolf ; 
and often was Henry Scadin's old dog Burr 
driven into the dwelling under the blanket which 
constituted the door of the habitation. 

"Soon after the organization of the township 
the inconvenience of the mail facilities became a 
subject of discussion, Dexter and Ann Arbor be- 
ing from four to ten miles distant from many 
of the newcomers whose association with the 
friends they left in the east was only through the 
postdffice. An application numerously signed was 
addressed to the postoffice department at Wash- 
ington, asking for the establishment of a post 
route and postofifice, and the appointment of a 
postmaster and mail carrier. The application was 
promptly responded to and the appointment of 
postmaster was conferred upon Moses Kingsley, 
then residing a short distance southeast of the 
Webster Presbyterian church. The commission 
was given under the administration of Andrew 
Jackson, Amos Kendall being postmaster gen- 
eral. This was in the year 1834. Henry Montague 
and Chester W. Kingsley were the mail carriers 
by turns. But often Moses Kingsley, with the 
mail bag on his back, made his weekly trips to 
Ann Arbor to carry and receive the mail, taking 
the mail key along and stopping to deliver the 
mail to Peter Sears, Mr. Barber, and Luther Boy- 
den, and partaking of their hospitality in the way 
of dinner, if it chanced to be meal time, on re- 
turn. Stephen Stowell succeeded Moses Kings- 
ley in the postoffice. He lived with Spencer Wil- 
liams, his son-in-law. and thence the office was re- 
moved. After keeping the office about two years, 
Mr. Stowell resigned in favor of J. D. Williams, 
whose commission bears the date, February i, 
1830, signed, Amos Kendall. 

"The Huron river crosses the southwest corner 
of the township, cutting across the southwest 
corner of section 30, and cutting section 31 into 
nearly equal parts from near the northwest cor- 
ner, to near the southeast corner. Also the Hu- 
ron river runs through Base Lake, which is about 
two-thirds in Webster on section 6, and one-third 
in Hamburg. Base Lake is a little less than one 
mile in length, and about three-fourths of a mile 
in width. The other lakes in Webster are, In- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



8oi 



dependence, and three small lakes havini; no 
name on the maps, but known in the town as 
Park's Lake, Scadin's Lake and Dead Lake. 
Park's Lake is on the corners of sections 7, 8, 17 
and 18. Scadin's Lake is on the north part of 
section 26. Dead Lake is about midway on the 
section line between sections i and 12. The larg- 
est lake in town is Independence ; is nearly circu- 
lar in form and about one-half on section 11, and 
the other half on section 12, and is less than one 
mile in diameter. This lake has a history : some- 
time toward the close of the month of June, 1827, 
and as the anniversar}* of the natal day of our 
nation approached, the then few and scattered 
hard working settlers took it into their matter-of- 
fact, patriotic, fun-loving heads to have a celebra- 
tion, and as the question went around. Where 
shall it be? echo responded, let us go to the lake. 
And when the Fourth of July came, to the lake 
they went, being full of patriotism, and well 
armed with fishing tackle, cooking utensils, bread, 
butter and any and everything that was thought 
could add to the enjoyment of the celebration of 
the day. And, although they had no orator, none 
of the spread eagle eloquence, none of the boast 
and braggadocio common on such occasions, yet 
they had a good time, and while all was going 
'merry as a marriage bell," Luther Boyden pro- 
posed the name 'Independence' for the lake, and 
so the lake was christened. 

"There are two small creeks in town. One 
running across the southeast corne"- of the town 
empties into the Huron river. The other is one 
of its branches heading in the east part of the 
town, and the other branch leading from Inde- 
pendence Lake runs northwesterly and empties 
into P)ase Lake. 

"^\'e had about a half mile of the ^lichigan 
Central in our town for several years after it was 
built. Rut a few years ago 'The Hon. P.oard of 
Supervisors' gave to Scio that ])ortion of Web- 
ster south of the Huron river and east of Mill 
creek, and this carried with it about all the rail- 
road we had. 

"The most common Indian tribe was the Pot- 
tawatomies. There was another tril)e ([uite hostile 
to the Pottawatomies. I think they were the O jib- 
was or Ottawas. 



".An Indian mound, in which the Indians had 
buried their dead to a limited extent, was found 
bv Thomas Alexander on his farm. In this mound 
were found some of their utensils, such as a ket- 
tle, knives, tomahawks, etc. I have a relic found 
bv John W. Alexander near the same place. 
Whether of Indian, or of the make of and used 
by some people who prcceeded the Indians, may 
be a question }-et to be settled. The face seems 
to be Egyptian. 

"The Indians never manifested any hostility to 
the early settlers, and were never troublesome ex- 
cept when intoxicated, and then were generally 
submissive when white men were present. Some- 
times their strange and unique manner of ap- 
proach and salutation was such as to excite fear 
in the minds of the newcomers, and if it did not 
produce fear it always did produce profound 
curiosity. .All old pioneers know very well the 
strange stealthiness of the approach of the In- 
dian when he wishes to enter your house. But 
there are many of our children and many of our 
fellow citizens who know nothing of it. Those 
of you who have never experienced frontier life 
may imagine yourselves quietly sitting in your 
domicile in the evening, and all at once your door 
is seen to open very slowly and without the least 
premonitory rap or noise of any kind, and the 
next moment you see the face of an Indian with 
glaring eyes peering into your domestic arrange- 
ments. This is the Indian mode of making calls, 
and as it is the way he is brought up we must 
overlook his peculiarities. If you wished to leave 
your house alone for a time and desired to pro- 
vide against any depredations by the redmen you 
must leave a stick leaning against the outside 
door. This would indicate your absence, and 
the Indian code forbids intrusion, and I never 
heard of one who violated this law, 

"The spring of 1831 is memorable as the year 
of the 'P)lack Hawk war.' .-\t that early day the 
facilities for obtaining news were very unlike the 
present. The slow stage coach would require 
a week to move the distance which the mail is 
now carried in a few hours. Rumors that lose 
little by travel often become a nightmare to the 
timid and the Weak. The tales of Indian butcher- 
ies and torture, that formed so large a factor in 



8o^ 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the education of a previous generation, had not 
been read without leaving the impress on the 
minds of many of the early settlers, which needed 
but the slightest rumors to create intense excite- 
ment. The Pottawatomies, a friendly tribe, were 
dispersed through the state, and often met the 
early settlers for the purpose of traffic or begging 
for food or tobacco. Their presence alone was 
sufficient to connect them with a race that had 
been considered the enemy of the whites and 
when the rumors and memories of warlike move- 
ments on the part of Indians obtained credence 
among the scattered and defenseless population, 
intense fear was the result. It was said that the 
squaws and papooses were being sent into Can- 
ada, while the fighting braves were massing by 
thousands in close proximity to the settlement. 
Hurried consultations were had when the neigh- 
bors met. and the latest rumors were exchanged 
and intensified. A piiblic meeting was <;alled at 
the house of John Williams to devise means of 
defense, but with no definite results. Mr. Cogs- 
well, living in the north part of the town, and in 
the then outlying settlement, removed his house- 
hold goods and family to the barn of !Mr. Wil- 
liams, where they remained till the excitement 
ceased. And so my father's place came to be 
called the fort. ]\Iany hopes and fears were en- 
tertained, and even jokes and repartee passed 
freely around. 

"Mr. Ranney. of Dexter, at that time a corporal 
in the organized militia, took the responsibility, 
or had it conferred on him. I am not sure which, 
of calling out the soldiers within his district. Hur- 
rying from house to house on foot he delivered 
his orders, accompanying them with all the latest 
and most e.xaggerated reports. His message be- 
ing usually g^ven to the women of the family, in 
the absence of the men at their work, and with 
an instinctive idea that no report should suffer 
for want of exaggeration, he seemed to rejoice 
in his success as an alarmist. One instance of a 
pretty big scare is well remembered. Mr. Gard- 
ner Bird, the neighbor next west of us, had that 
spring moved onto his new farm, erected his log 
house, and taken a few acres of land to work on 
the plains. He Was three miles from home at 



work when Mr. Ranney called and related his 
rumors of the intentions of the Indians, their 
numbers and proximity. Mrs. Bird, with her 
three children, two in her arms and the oldest on 
foot by her side, clinging to her dress, started for 
her husband. Mr. Bird received the intelligence 
with many scruples — did not believe the danger 
so imminent, but could not resist the entreaties 
of his wife with her helpless little ones, and thev 
all returned to their endangered home, packed 
up their household goods, and the next morning 
they were loaded upon the only vehicle they pos- 
sessed with the family atop, and with an ox team 
they were at an early hour en route for their old 
home in "York state,' They reached Ypsilanti 
that day. where they stopped for the night But 
during the day's travel they discovered that the 
farther they traveled the less alarming the re- 
ports became. And so after a good night's rest, 
and the assurance they received that the danger 
was not so imminent as it had appeared from 
Ranney's recital, they determined to retrace tiieir 
steps, and the next night found them once more 
at their new home, and still no Indians near. 

"But the militia with a hurried preparation, 
and exchanging the goodbyes with mothers, sis- 
ters and sweethearts, made their rendezvous at 
.\nn .\rbor according to military order. But here 
an unexpected difficulty met them — Ijy what au- 
tJiority were they called tliere ? \\'ho should take 
charge of them ? Such were the interrogatories 
that passed from lip to lip. and still the question 
returned unanswered. 

"Gen. Brown, who was supposed to have some 
authority in the premises, failed to put in an ap- 
pearance, and no military officer could show any 
authorit}' for receiving or holding the men. who 
with such ebulitions of patriotism had taken up 
their arms in defense of those sacred homes 
which the untutored savage would so ruthlessly 
desolate. The dav was passing away when by 
common consent the soldiers dispersed to their 
respective homes, cancelled their goodbyes and 
went back to work in their cornfields, thankful 
when the news reached them at a later day that 
Black Hawk and his braves had not been this side 
of Lake Michigan, and that the emigration of 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



803 



squaws and papooses to Canada was a myth : and 
thus ended, so far as the town of Webster was a 
party to it, the scare of the Black Hawk war. 

"Hon. S. W. Dexter was the first settler of 
Webster. Comint;' as he did from the city of 
Boston into this then western wild, the change 
must have been very great, and at as earl\' a 
day as 1824 must have taken considerable energy 
and forecast. Judge Dexter contributed very 
largely towards the formation of good society in 
the state, and especially in the county of Washte- 
naw, and also in developing the natural resources 
of the country. Possessed of wealth, he could 
and did gratif\- his lienevolence and largeness of 
heart in his bestowal of goods upon the needy. He 
ha.s gone to his reward. 

"Thomas Alexander, the first settler in the 
southeast part of the town, came from Wales, 
England. He did not come directly to Webster, 
but in the townshij) of Ann .\rbor, on — as I am 
told by one of his family — the farm later owned 
by Ca])tain Huson. This was the fall of 1825. He 
remained there until the next s])ring, and then 
moved into Webster, May i, 1826, built a shanty 
and lived in it until fall, and then built a log 
house in which he lived until near tla- close uf his 
life. ^ir. Alexander was a man of uncommon 
phvsical endurance. His son. AI. H. .\lexander, 
told me that he and his father cut and shocked 
nineteen acres of wheat from Wednesday morn- 
ing to .Saturday night, the old gentleman cutting- 
it witli a grain cradle and the son binding it 
after him. Mr. .\. prided himself on his skill in 
plowing, shearing sheeji, stacking grain and farm 
work generally, and very justly, too, for his fur- 
rows were as straight as a bee line, and his 
stacks were as nicely turned as a top. The best 
instructions ever received by me upon sheep 
shearing was from him. .Sometimes it was 
thought that Mr. .\. was a little liobbyhorsical in 
some of his notions, and then, too, we used to 
think he was too profoundly impressed with the 
belief that everything in England, and everything 
English, was decidedly superior to anything of 
the same class, or of like production in .America. 
P)Ut perhaps this is characteristic of .Vmericans 
and other nations as well. Ouite likely. .Americans, 
in visiting England, entertain the same com- 



parative view of England. .Mlow the relation of 
an incident in illustration. A number of years 
ago, three s'oung Englishmen, just over, were 
riding one day in a stage coach with a Yankee. 
The Englishmen were very loquacious and in- 
quisitive — as it was quite right they should be — 
remarking u]ion nearly everything they saw, and 
with a keen sightedness discovering the good and 
bad qualities of every animal, every building and 
ever\- tree, and in their judgment there was one 
characteristic common to everything they saw, 
and that was diminutiveness. If thev saw a 
horse, it was small ; if they saw a tree, it was 
small, and so with abciut everything compared 
with the English pattern, everything was small. 
The Yankee could not dispute them very much, 
as he had never visited England, and so the smart 
\iiung men had it all about their own way. -At 
length there came up one of our .American storms 
of wind and rain. acconi|)anied with terriffic dis- 
charges of electricty and peals of thunder. One 
shock, more powerful than any ]ireceding it. 
seemed to shake the old stage with great violence. 
Wlien the passengers had sufficiently recovered 
from their fright, and collected their benumbed 
senses, the Yankee, with all due respect and with 
liecoming gravity, submitted this question: "Well, 
gentlemen, do you have any bigger thunder than 
that in England ?' 

"Please pardon the digression. We will re- 
turn to the liiography. Maria .Alexander, after- 
ward Mrs. .Alonzo Ciorton, born J»'ie 5, 1827, 
was the first white child born in the township. 
Mr. .\. raised a large family, had two wives, bur- 
ied the first, and married the second before leav- 
ing England : had four children by the first mar- 
riage, only one of whom — Mrs. .Anson Powers, 
of Hamburg — is now living, and to whom we are 
indebted for some of the facts here given. Eour 
of the sons are living on and near the old farm. 
The other living children are scattered beyond 
my knowledge. 

"Euther Royden came to Michigan in the 
spring of 1826, from Conway, Massachusetts. He 
looked out anfl selected his location at the same 
time Mr. .Alexander did. and, as I am told, agreed 
with Mr. .\. as to how they would locate what 
they did of what was subsequently called Boy- 



8o4 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



den's Plains, the agreement being that Mr. A. 
should take west on section 35 and Mr. B. on 
section 36. Mr. r.oyden did not stay very long 
in Michigan at this time, but after locating his 
land, and making an agreement with someone to 
break up a piece of ten acres for wheat, returned 
to Massachusetts, and made all due preparations 
to settle with his family on his new farm. 

"He arrived with his family, consisting of Mrs. 
Boyden and three children, August 26, 1826. At 
this time there were only two steamboats on Lake 
Erie. The Erie canal was the great thorough- 
fare through New York. No railroads had as 
yet been built in the world. From the arrival 
of Mr. B. and family to the spring of the year 
1828, a few, and only a few. reminiscences of 
those bygone years have been gathered up. And 
although we are now able to snatch, as it were, 
only a few facts from the tooth of time, we may 
suppose those years were full of adventure and 
the stirrmg incidents common to pioneer life. 
One, the celebration of Independence Lake, has 
been noted. Another, of a purely domestic na- 
ture, occurred June 18, 1827. when Mrs. Boyden 
presented her husband with another son, who 
was in due time christened John Augustus. This, 
so far as we know, was the second white child 
and the first white male child born in the town- 
ship. The cradle in which this child, as well as 
the two subsequent children, was rocked, is still 
in being, and for primitive simplicity and real 
practical utility is not excelled by any baby cradle 
either of ancient or modern, foreign or domestic 
make. It consists of a section of a hollow but- 
tonwood tree about three and a half feet in length, 
and eighteen or twenty inches in diameter, with 
a piece of board fitted to the ends, and the log 
made as smooth and round on the outside that 
rockers are not needed. One advantageous fea- 
ture in this cradle over a cradle on rockers is 
that in case the child should be rocked out on the 
floor, it would be merely a rolling out and not a 
falling out. 

"As Mr. Hoyden's first wheat crop began to 
ripen, he began to look about for harvesters. He 
with the other New England men in the neigh- 
borhood, had never seen wheat or rye cut with 
anything but a sickle. But the IMoe family having 



emigrated from New York where grain i-radlcx 
\yere in vogue, knew well how to use them. So 
Mr. B. having made himself acquainted with 
these facts, engaged the Yankee with their sickles 
and the New York men to come on with their 
cradles. But the cradlers were engaged with 
this express proviso, that in case the wheat could 
be well cut with their new-fangled instruments, 
all right, but failing to do this they must lay 
aside their long blades with wooden attachments, 
and conform to the good old way. With com- 
mendable promptitude both classes of reapers ap- 
peared, each carrying their respective instru- 
ments on their shoulders. The trial commenced, 
and when Mr. B. and his Yankee friends saw the 
New York men sweep down the grain with com- 
parative ease, and lay the swath so evenly, and 
at such a rapid rate, they felt somewhat as the 
Chronicles say the Queen of Sheba did. on the 
occasion of her visit to King Solomon, when it is 
said of her, after she saw how Solomon did 
things. 'There was no more spirit in her.' The 
sickles were speedily laid aside, and those who 
brou,ght them set at binding. 

"During the winter of 1829-30 the good people 
of the settlement began to see and feel the alarm- 
ing effects of the free use of whiskey, and began 
to hold temperance meetings, and they organized 
a temperance society, and adopted a pledge to 
abstain altogether from the use of whiskey as a 
beverage. Mr. Boyden entered heartily into this 
movement, and did much toward the suppresion 
of the vice of intemperance. In the first month 
of the year 1830. Mr. B. set out to build his first 
barn. He employed Horace Carpenter to put 
up the frame. Mr. Carpenter commenced to 
hew the timber in January, and when the timber 
was ready for framing he employed C. M. May- 
nard and a Mr. Goodnoe (who located just west 
of J. C. Mead's) to assist in that work. The 
country was so sparsely settled that in order to 
get men enough to raise a good sized barn, invi- 
tations must be extended to the distance of about 
twelve miles. This was done in this case, east, 
south and southwest, but north there were but 
two families, and they were within about one 
mile. It was an unheard of thing to attempt to 
raise a buildino- without whiskey, but Mr. B. de- 



I 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



805 



termined to make the trial, and when told that 
he would fail, his reply was. 'Then fail it is.' The 
25th day of March was appointed as the day for 
tlie raising. The men were invited with the un- 
derstanding that no whiskey would be furnished, 
but in lieu thereof a good supper would be pro- 
vided, of which all would be invited to partake 
after the frame was up. And although it was an 
innovation on an old established custom, it was 
a success. Mr. P... with his indomitable energy, 
and w itli the assistance of other temperance men, 
carried it through, and thus raised the first barn 
in Webster without whiskey. And in after life 
Mr. P). looked upon this act as one of the achieve- 
ments of his life which gave him peculiar pleas- 
ure. 

"The second child born to Mr. and Mrs. Boy- 
den, in Webster, and rocked in the primitive 
cradle before mentioned, was Edward L. P)oy- 
den, who subsequently became the first grandfa- 
ther born in Webster. 

"Israel Arms came to and settled in Webster 
in the fall of the vear 1827. He came from Mas- 
sachusetts. He lived in Webster about twelve 
\ears, and then sold out and moved into the east 
jiarl of I^ivingston county. He was a good citi- 
zen : other than this I know but little of him. 

"Charles Stark, the next settler in order (and 
they liave been taken in the order of their ar- 
rival), was born in Pennsylvania, January 8, 
1700, and came to Michigan in iSiQ. Worked 
in and about Detroit for about two years. .\t 
one time he was on a small vessel which ran up 
to Port Huron, and sometimes went to Macki- 
naw. On one of their trips across Lake Fluron 
they encountered a storm, in which they were 
shipwrecked on the west coast of the lake. The 
crew succeeded in reaching the shore without the 
loss of a life. In this disaster Mr. Stark lost his 
little all. The Indians, of whom there hap- 
pened to lie a company near the shore, took them 
in. and very kindly cared for them the best thev 
could, until they could set out on their wav back 
hv land to Detroit. This was enough nf that 
kind of adventure for Mr. S. He made his way 
west from Detmit as far as a settlement, then be- 
^un on the River Rouge. After a stay of about 



four years in this place, during which tiine he 
married a wife, they found it to be so sickly a lo- 
cality that they concluded to push on further 
west. So in the spring of 1827, Mr. S. looked 
out and located a piece of land on the north side 
of Hoyden's plains, moved on his family and ar- 
rived at the newly found home, March i, 1827. 
They found shelter in Mr. .Arm's house until a 
small log house could be built. This continued 
to be the residence of the family until the summer 
of 1848. when Mr. S. built a brick house. For 
several years in his middle life he made pump- 
making a business as well as farming. His was a 
manly struggle witli the trials and privations of 
pioneer life. .\nd this remark may be made with 
equal truthfulness respecting all whose names 
have preceded Mr. Stark's, as well as all who 
may follow. Mr. Stark took part in all the moral 
and religious enterprises of the community, and 
contributed his full share in the establishment of 
good society. He belonged to the Methodist 
(lemonination, and it was in his house that the 
first sermon by a Methodist minister was 
preached in Webster. On the 26th day of 
March, 1828, was born in Mr. Stark's family a 
daughter, who subsequently became the first 
grandmother born in Webster, and this grand- 
mother is the wife of \our subscriber. 

"The next addition to the population of the 
township was the arrival of Salmon H. Mat- 
thews, who came from Conway, Massachusetts, 
and arrived in Webster May 19. 1827. He lo- 
cated what was later the home of the Backus 
brothers. Mr. Tvlatthews brought with him a 
wife and one child, his wife's mother, Mrs. Bond, 
who was a widow, and two young sisters of Mrs. 
Matthews, viz. : Miss H. Bond and Miss M. 
Bond, the latter of whom became the wife of 
Hon. S. W. Dexter. Miss H. Bond became the 
wife of Gen. Asa Williams. The infant child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, whose name was \\'il- 
liani W. Matthews, died August 14, 1828. and 
this, so far as I am able to learn, was the first 
death of a white person in the township. Mr. 
Matthews did not remain very many years on his 
farm, when he removed to Dexter village, where 
he engaged in business, and where, after a few 



8o6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



years, he died. His widow, after a number of 
years of widowhood, married Mr. \\'estfall. of 
Lima. 

"It was witli the family of Mr. Mattliews that 
my father, with the three boys whom he brought 
to Michigan with him when he first came, 
boarded for the first two months, and it was to 
their hospitahty that we were indebted for a 
shelter until we could build a suitable habitation 
of our own. 

"The ne.xt man in order was Peter Sears, who 
located in the southeast corner lot in the town- 
ship. Here Mr. Sears (Uncle Peter, as he was 
familiarly called), built his first house, and here 
he lived for a number of years. His farm em- 
braced lands in the townships of Ann Arbor and 
Northfield, as well as in Webster. The time of 
his arrival was June i, 1827. 

"Mr. Sears came from Massachusetts, and my 
impression is that Conway is the town from 
which he came. The first time the writer saw 
Uncle Peter an impression of a lasting charac- 
ter was made im his mind. We were on our wav 
from Ann .\rbor to the location made a few days 
before by my father, and somewhere between 
Mr. Moe's and Mr. Sear's fell in with I'ncle 
Peter, who was on foot. He got onto our load 
and rode on toward his house. He was full of 
talk, and having been in the country nearh- a 
year, could give much valuable information to 
the newly arrived. My father ]>rought with him 
from New York a pretty large and rather good 
looking span of horses. These attracted Mr. 
.Sear's attention, and directing his conversation to 
Henry Scadin. who was with us, remarked that 
such a team would not amount to much in this 
cotmtry, and if we expected to do plowing and 
farm work generally with such a team, emphasi- 
zing the word such, we would find ourselves 
mistaken. His auditor, who took an interest and 
a pride in all that his Uncle John (John Wil- 
liams) had and did, said : "Don't you believe 
those horses could draw a plow along there ?' as 
he pointed to the side of the road. 'Well, \es.' 
said Uncle Peter, ' much easier along there (ami 
along there meant the same kind of soil and land 
he had located, for we were nearing his house) 
than on such land as Boyden's plains.' pointing 



westward to the plains where Mr. Hoyden had lo- 
cated. Following up this last remark with con- 
siderable talk on soils, location and timber, Uncle 
Peter sought to convey the impression that in his 
judgment he had made a much better selection 
than Mr. Boyden. I said a lasting impression 
was made on my mind, and it was not only by 
this incident, but others which occurred ; and had 
the word eccentric been in my vocabulary, and 
had he been as well known to me as I came to 
know him afterward, that word would have been 
applied in speaking of Uncle Peter's character- 
istics. Once in speaking of the spelling of words 
he said, 'one was a very poor scholar who could 
not spell a word more than one way.' 

"One Sabbath as the family were about to get 
themselves in readiness for church, liy some un- 
fortunate move one of their fat hogs was run off 
the bridge leading from the upper floor of the 
barn to the bank, and in the fall the hog's back 
was broken. This casualt}' necessitated the im- 
mediate butchering of the porker 'to save his 
bacon.' That day after church the minister (Mr. 
Tucker) accompanied the family home. On their 
arrival the suspended butchered hog caught the 
eve of Mr. Tucker, wh'i remarked : "That is a 
fine hog, Mr. .Sears.' 'Yes,' said Uncle Peter, 
■you probably noticed we were late at church, 
and there you see the reason of the delay." 'Why. 
Brother Sears, you don't butcher on the Sabbath, 
do you?' "You know but little abnut it.' "Well, 
how was it?" 'You know but little about 
it,' 'Will vdu not then tell us about it?' 
"You know but little abnut it.' .-\nd so the 
minister could get hut little nr no informa- 
tion upon the subject from that source, and was 
obliged to interview some of the other members 
of the family to get the facts. As a husband and 
father his devotion and attachment to his family 
were not excelled, so far as I know, by any of his 
fellow pioneers. As a citizen his sympathies were 
given to such measures as in his judgment tended 
to promote the greatest public good. One very 
noticeable feature in his intercourse with the pub- 
lic was his abhorrence of clannishness and that 
class of society which would fain set itself up as 
exclusive and pretentious. 

"And what shall be said of Mrs.- Sears? for it 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



807 



does seem that if ever there was any woman in 
all the township of whom honorable mention 
should be made, Mrs. Sears was one of them. The 
thought has often come to mind that among the 
highest encomiums ever produced on any one of 
our race was that of our Savior's, respecting one 
of the Marys, when He said of her, 'She hath done 
what she could.' And when I saw this sentence, 
as it is inscribed on the tombstone of Mrs. C. (!. 
Clark, my heart went out in quick sympath\' and 
re.sponded in emphatic approval of the proprietv 
of employing this sentiment in giving expression 
to the higher emotions of our nature as we pay 
the tribute of respect to the memory of those we 
love, and can with so much truthfulness use these 
words in remembrance of the steadfast devotion 
and quiet, unostentatious Christian lives of such 
women as Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Boyden and ]\Irs. 
.Scars. In the summer of 1827 and '28 and before 
there were regular religious . meetings in the 
township, it was the practice of Mrs. Sears and 
Mrs. Boyden to meet weekly at a place in the 
hazel brush, about midway between their respec- 
tive houses, to pray. What constituted their first 
desires may well be imagined when we remember 
that their husbands were at that time irreligious 
men. And these wives and mothers, with large 
families of children and unchristian husbands, in 
a new and sparsely settled country, and without a 
pastor, had courage to call into activity their best 
religious faculties; and well and faithfully did 
they do their work. 

"Sterns Kimberly came in the year 1827. He 
was a young man and unmarried at the time of 
his coming to the township. Whilst making for 
himself a good farm and home, surrounded bv 
all the desirable features and appliances of a 
farmer's home, he built up for himself also a 
character and reputation for probity and truth- 
fulness attained to by few. As early as the year 
1834, which was the second year of the organiza- 
tion of the township, and while Mr. Kimberley 
was yet quite a young man, he w'as elected super- 
visor by twenty-eight majority over Thomas 
Barber, the whole number of votes cast in the 
townshi]) being only forty-eight. Mr. Kimherlev 
was elected not only to the office of suf)ervisor a 
number of times subseqtientiy, hut also filled 



nianv otlier offices and positions of trust in so- 
cietv, with credit to himself and satisfaction to 
his fellow citizens. He was a man of deeds more 
than a man of words. His judgment respecting 
the afTairs and relations of life was relied upon 
most implicitly. Mr. M. Kenny once told the 
writer that whenever he had Mr. Kimberley as- 
sociated with him in the settlement of any matter 
he felt sure that there w^as not much danger of 
going wrong. 

"Ezra Fish also came to Webster in the year 
1827, and for a few years took a somewhat prom- 
inent part in society. He taught school in the old 
log schoolhouse on the plain one winter. After 
a few years he left for some place west. 

"Ira Seymour came with his family in the year 
1827, and located the farm afterward owned by 
.Vlvah and Foster Litchfield. Mr. Seymour's 
family consisted mostly of daughters, most of 
them grown to womanhood ; and so very natu- 
rally here occurred the first wedding in the town- 
ship. The parties most interested in this wedding 
were Samuel W. Foster and Ruth Seymour. Mr. 
Foster built the first mills in the village of Scio. 
He subsequently built the first building for a mill 
at Cornwells, which old building is still in exist- 
ence. He was a man of good ability, great en- 
ergy, quite an inventive genius, but lacking con- 
centration and thoroughness. Mr. Seymour had 
two .sons. Joseph and Laclaudius. Joseph died 
quite early in life. Laclaudius now lives in Penn- 
sylvania, and has been somewhat successful in 
the oil business. The daughters are much scat- 
tered. 

"John Williams arrived in Ann .Vrbor .\pril 
8, 1828, having left .Sempronius, Cayuga county, 
New York, on the 29th of March previous. The 
Erie canal not being open as yet that spring, he 
was obliged to travel to Bufifalo with his own 
horses and wagons, bringing a load of such tools 
as he thought would be most useful on his ar^ 
rival in the wilderness of Michigan. He brought 
with him his three oldest boys, viz. : Spencer, 
Charles and Jeremiah. He was also accompanied 
by John Chandler. Jeremiah Fuller and Henry 
Scadin, the fir.st two of whom were old neigh- 
bors of bis, and the latter his nephew-. Consid- 
erable anxietv was entertained while on their wav 



8o8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



to Buffalo lest the lake navigation would not be 
open. On Hearing Buffalo, however, the intelli- 
gence was received that the William Penn, one of 
the four steamboats then plying between Buffalo 
and Detroit and intermediate ports, was prepar- 
ing to make her first trip. ]\Ir. W. and his party 
reached Buffalo just in time to take passage on 
her. So no time was lost, the party going aboard 
the night of their arrival in Buffalo. The boat 
was to start the next morning, and so she did. 
The engine was a high pressure, and such a ter- 
rific snorting noise as were made bv the escape 
of the steam was anything but pleasant to those 
tmaccustomed to steamboating. After getting 
fairly out into the lake a pretty strong headwind 
was encountered, and the boat being a rather 
short, clumsy concern, was tossed about at a rate 
fearful to those not used to the water. Stops 
were made at Dunkirk, Erie, Cleveland and San- 
dusky, and about night of the fourth dav after 
leaving Buffalo, Detroit was reached and debark- 
ation effected before dark. The horses, on being 
landed on terra firma, found it difficult to accom- 
modate themselves to the solid ground. But spend- 
ing one night on land was sufficient to restore 
them to their equilibrium. Those who saw De- 
troit forty-eight years ago know what an insig- 
nificant town it was at that time. The popula- 
tion was largely French, and the habitations were 
mere huts. The next morning the partv set out 
for Washtenaw county. The road from Detroit 
westward has so often been described that an- 
other account of it would be superfluous : so I 
shall only say that I fully agree with and ac- 
cept, with a little modification, what Schuvler 
Colfax said of it in his Fourth of July oration at 
Ypsilanti, 1874, viz. : That when he passed over 
the road from Detroit to Ypsilanti in the year 
1824. there was only one nuidhole and that was 
the whole way. The modification is this : There 
was in the spring of 1828 an alteration of mud- 
holes and causeways, the mud. however, greatlv 
predominating in extent and plasticity. Two 
days' travel brought the party to .Ann .\rbor. .\ 
short distance from .\nn Arbor Mr. Williams had 
two eighty-acre lots which were taken of Dor 
Kellogg in part payment for the half interest in a 
grist mill sold ]\Ir. Kellogg in New York. These 



lots Mr. Williams had never seen, so he made 
it his first business to see them, it being his in- 
tention in case they suited him and he could pur- 
chase more land adjoining, to do so and make 
farms for his boys. His property in New York 
consisted of a small farm and a half interest in 
a grist mill, built by himself and Hon. Charles 
Kellogg in 1824. This little property did very 
well so far as it went, but Mr. Williairis had five 
boys, and he could not see how he could divide 
it among them, so he concluded (as he often ex- 
pressed it), to pull up stakes and push out into 
a new countr\- where there was more room, and 
where he hoped to co-operate with other.'^, in mak- 
ing the wilderness 'bud and blossom like the 
rose.' The first night spent in Washtenaw was 
spent in the house of Dr. Lord. The next day 
the land purchased of Mr. Kellogg was looked 
up and looked over and found to be unsuited to 
the object of Mr. \\"illiams had in view. .\nd then 
commenced the land-looking and prospecting for 
a tract that should in a measure at least fill the 
bill. The townships of .Ann -\rbor. Lodi, Scio. 
TJma, a portion of De.xter and the south part of 
Webster, were more or less looked over, and all 
this looking came to a consummation on section 
27 in the township of Webster. 

"\\'ebster had one doctor, as early as 1827 — 
Dr. Nichols — who lived on the south bank of the 
Huron, in what is now the village of Dexter. 
Dr. Nichols practiced medicine throughout the 
region about Dexter, and with fair success. He 
was, as T remember him, a genial man, quite lo- 
quacious, full of anecdote, and ver)' nuich in- 
clined to stay and talk after making his prescrip- 
tions and giving the necessary directions respect- 
ing his patients. He was. too. a good deer hun- 
ter, and loved the sport dearly, and spent so nntch 
time hunting during the fall season that consider- 
able complaint was sometimes made of hs tradi- 
ness in reaching his patients when called. But 
when he did come, all were glad to see him. The 
doctor long since passed, we trust, into that 'bet- 
ter land,' where the inhabitants are never heard 
to say, 'I am sick.' 

"Of lawyers we had two. But neither of them 
ever practiced his profession in Webster. ' Hon. 
S. W. Dexter engaged in miHing and agricul- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY 



809 



ture. Hon. Munnis Kenny gave his undivided 
attention to agriculture on his settlement in this 
state. The names and character of these men are 
well known in this county. These three men, 
Dr. Cyril Nichols, S. W. Dexter and M. Kenny, 
are the only men of the learned professions we 
ever had in Dexter, except the clergy. 

"Rev. Charles G. Clark was the first and only 
resident minister in town for a period of nearly 
nineteen years. Mr. Clark came to Webster on 
November 27. 1829, and preached his first ser- 
mon in the town on the following Sabbath, which 
was on the 29th. But this was not the first min- 
isterial work in Webster. The first sermon ever 
preached was by Rev. William Page and at the 
house of Salmon H. Alatthews. about midsum- 
mer, in the year 1827. Mr. Page was at the time 
ministering to the Presbyterian church in Ann 
Arbor, which church was constituted August 21, 
1826, and was the first Christian church in .\nn 
Arbor, and consisted of seventeen members. An 
Episcopal clergyman preached a few times at 
the house of Thomas Alexander, during the latter 
part of the year 1827. The settlers in the town 
in 1827, consisted of the families of Charles B. 
Taylor and S. W. Dexter, in the southwest cor- 
ner, and Thomas Alexander, Luther Boyden, 
Charles Starks, Israel Arms, Peter Sears, Sal- 
mon H. Matthews, and Ira Seymour, in the 
southeast corner. The first minister of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal denomination was the Rev. Ben- 
jamin Cooper, who preached occasionally at the 
house of Charles Starks, during the fall of 1828. 
Mr. Cooper was appointed that year on Ann .Ar- 
bor circuit. His successor, in the year 1829, was 
Re\ . Leonard B. Gurley. who also held meetings 
occasionally at Mr. Starks'. In the year 1830. 
Revs. Henry Colclazer and Elijah TT. I'ilcher 
were stationed on the Ann .\rbor circuit, and in 
the year 1831 Elder Pilcher had associated with 
him Ezekiel S. Gavitt. These all preached more 
or less regularly in Webster during the years 
1830 and '31. And it is believed that it was in 
the year 1830 that the first Methodist class was 
formed. 

"Those of us whose parents came to Michigan 
while we were yet quite young, severely felt, and 
shall continue to feel till the close of life, the 



want of the early intellectual culture, now so 
easilv obtained in this country, and so accessible 
in the east, from whence we came. But the early 
settlers made provision for the education of their 
children at as early a day as their circumstances 
and the sparsement of the settlement would per- 
mit. .\nd it was quite a long time before schools 
became so general that all who were in great need 
of the advantages of them could be accommo- 
dated. The first schoolhouse was erected in the 
year 1830, on the south side of Boyden's plain. 
The first teacher who taught in this first school- 
house was Miss Mary Ann Sears (afterward 
^Irs. Abram Moe). Some of the subsequent 
teachers were Miss Nancy Parsons (afterward 
Airs. Eman, and still later the wife of Prof. Nut- 
ting, who was principal of an academy in Lodi), 
Ezra Fish and Lewis D. Stowell. This school- 
house being for a long time the only one in the 
vicinity, accommodated a large district, some of 
the pupils living four miles away. The building" 
served the double purpose of schoolhouse and 
meetinghouse for a number of years. 

"The early ministers have already been no- 
ticed. The first church organization in the vicinity 
of Dexter, and which had its central point at 
Dexter, was constituted January 17. 1830. The 
meeting was held at the house of George Roberts 
who at that time lived on the town line road be- 
tween Webster and Scio. This church was or- 
ganized under the direction of Rev. C. G. Clark, 
of whom mention has already been made. Mr. 
Clark was a missionary imder appointment of the 
Home Missionary Society, and for several years 
received his support in part from said society. 
Being a Presbyterian, it was very natural that he 
should organize a church of that faith. This 
church, however, although Presb}i;erian, had an 
accommodative feature (somewhat common in 
new countries, I think), of allowing Congrega- 
tionalists their preference in the matter of disci- 
pline. The church consisted of the following 
members : Rufus Grossman, Lucy Grossman, 
Ann Epley, Aneath Lee, Lydia Williams, Mary 
Goodnoe, Temperance Roberts, Lucy Sears. 
Theodocia Boyden and Sarah Dvvight. 

"The first trustees were S. W. Dexter, John 
Williams, and Ira Seymour. And here allow me 



SIO 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY, 



TO relate a fact showing the strong prejudice in 
the minds of some men at that day, against the 
order of Freemasons. John WilUams w-as a mem- 
ber of the Presbi."terian church of Mora^^a. New 
York ; and when he, with his wife, left their east- 
em home, they took letters of admission and rec- 
ommendation. But Mr. Williams declined con- 
necting himself with the newly organized church, 
on account of the Freemason element in Mr. 
Grossman. Mr. Williams was a decided anti-Ma- 
son. He called Freemasonry "tlie unfruitful works 
of daufaiess." and grounded himself on the Scrip- 
ture injunction, "liave no fellowship therewith.' 

"The next summer Mr. Clark went east, and 
\\-as absent about four months : during which time 
Bible reading (with exposition of same to some 
extent ~> was held alternately at the residences of 
John Williams and Munnis Kenny. These meet- 
ings were composed mainly of the families men- 
tioned ( although opien to others. The sparseness 
of the population limited the number that could 
attend. The manner of conducting these reading 
meetings was to arrange the attendants, parents 
and children, in chairs around the room, each be- 
ing provided with a testament. The reading com- 
menced with the parents, and continued around 
and around the circle for an hour and a half. 
Then an intermission, when the reading was re- 
sumed, and continued for another hour and a 
half — sometimes more, and sometimes less. Oc- 
casionally some of the cJder persons would make 
some comment or explanation. We children and 
youth depended on the older heads, and especially 
on Mr. Kenny, who was a collegian, to assist us 
in the pronunciation of the more diffictdt words 
and names. So these reading meetings, in addi- 
tion to their rehgious character, were an excel- 
lent school in which to leam to read the new test- 
ament, and compensated in scsiie measure for the 
deprivation of the common school. 

"In later days the thought of these early times 
has often come to mind and how. when it was 
announced in our family one Sunday morning 
that we were to go to Mr. Keimy's to spend the 
Sabbath, we children washed up with unwonted 
vis^or and care, made our toilet as best we could, 
and appointed one of oar hired men (Cyrus 
Pierce), who was a ?ood woodsman, a committee 



of one to start off two or three hours in advance, 
to look out the best route across through the 
woods, and blaze the trees as a guide for the fam- 
ily group, who were in due time to follow. These 
meetings were kept up through the summer, and 
during their progress the new testament was 
read througli several times. 

"TTpon the return of Rev. Mr. Clark, these 
meetings were discontinued. Mr. Clark held serv- 
ices each alternate Sabbath at Dexter (generally 
at the house of Josepn Arnold), and at the log 
schoolhouse on Boyden"s plain. The inter\"ening 
Sabbaths in Webster were occupied by those 
early and devoted Methodist circuit preachers. 
Revs. E. H. PUcher and Henr>" Coldazer. Dur- 
ing the winter 1832-3 a protracted or four days' 
meeting was held at the house of John Williams, 
his house being the only building in the vicinity 
of sufficient capacity for such a meeting. This 
extra rehgious effort resulted in the conversion 
of quite a number of persons ( the mmiber is for- 
gotten"), who connected themselves with the 
church, and making quite an addition to the little 
band, and giving such strengtli to the Webster 
branch that a petition was soon presented to the 
church at Dexter for dismission, in order to form 
a new church. Said petition was granted, and on 
the 27th of January-, 1834, the petitioners met at 
the house of Conrad Epley and organized what 
was the Presbyterian church of Webster. Mr. 
Oark officiating in the organization. This chmxrh 
continued to be Presbyterian until about the year 
1858. when a change was made to Congrega- 
tional. Decenber i. 1834. a resolution was passed 
gi^■ing Rev. C. G. Clark a call to the pastorate. 
Mr. Clark accepting, invitations were given to 
the Presbyterian churches in Ann Arbor. Ypsi- 
lanti and Lodi to participate in the installation 
which took place April 30, 1835. Mr. Clark's 
p>astoral relation continued until Februarv- 7, 
1848. 

"In bringing forward the facts and incidents 
connected with the erection of the Webster Con- 
gregational church edifice, I beg leave to intro- 
duce an extract from a letter written me by my 
brother-in-law. Moses Kingsley. of Kalamazoo. I 
do this because I think Mr. Kingsley's reminis- 
cences are better than anv I could srive. He savs : 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



8ii 



'It is unnecessary to speak of the poverty of the 
few who constituted the pioneers of the township 
— poverty only as the term is applical)le to the ab- 
sence of ready money. Sturdy, rug'Lied. earnest, 
yoinig and middle aged men and women, with 
their fortunes and reputations to make — with Init 
little beside what God and nature had fiuMiished 
them — with a determined will they leveled the 
forest, upturned the soil, and cast in the seed : 
then watched and waited for its fruitage. l!iU 
while providing- for the wants of the outer man, 
they felt the necessity for the moral and spiritual 
culture which their migration to their new homes 
had in a great measure deprived them of. The\' 
cheerfully traveled on foot, or if fortunate to 
have a team and cart or sled, would place these 
conveniences in requisition, and all the families 
would go miles to meeting, taking a lunch and 
spending the Sabbath in the rude log school- 
house, sitting upon the hard slab seats, quite in 
contrast with the fashionable modern church 
with its luxurious, upholstered pews. The peo- 
ple were willing to labor for better conveniences, 
for of money they had comparatively little. 
Pledges were made to the extent of some fiva 
hundred dollars toward the building of the meet- 
ing iiouse. Much of it of necessity must be in 
labor or material. Whitewood logs were bought 
and drawn from the timbered land of Salem to 
Foster's mill at Scio. and manufactured into lum- 
ber, sufficient to enclose and floor the structure. 
Timber for the frame was more easily obtained 
from the adjacent forest ; and in the spring of 
1834 there was money enough left, after paying 
for the whitewood logs and their sawing, to hire 
a master carpenter to superintend the frame. .\nd 
when the frame was upon its foundation the fi- 
nances were exhausted, and the frame remained 
imcovcred during the following winter. In the 
spring of 1835 I proposed to the friends of the 
enterprise to go east and make an effort to ob- 
tain funds for completing the house. The propo- 
sition was approved and carried into effect. \^is- 
iting Dr. Cleaveland. then in Detroit. I procured 
letters of introduction to his friends in eastern 
Massachusetts, and after presenting the case in 
New York, went to Boston, Salem, Northhamp- 
ton, and other places of my former acquaintance, 



and returned with over one hundred and si.xty 
dollars ; and while in Pioston I called on Daniel 
Webster, from whom I received one of m\- best 
donations, accompanying it with his autograph 
signature to the subscription paper, which I have 
\'et in my possession. This gave a new impetus 
to the enterprise, and during the season the build- 
ing was enclosed and painted, and occupied with 
temporary seats, on a loose floor, until cold 
weather, and with no conveniences for warming. 
The meetings were held during the winter in the 
second story of my house. The year following 
the house was plastered, and better seats were 
provided by those who had the means to procure 
them. 

"The Baptists organized a small church in the 
northeast corner of the town sometime about the 
year 1841. Rev. Mr. Tupper was the prime mover 
in this organization, assisted by the Rev. Mr. 
Keyes. Several Methodist families living in the 
vicinity attended and took part in a special reli- 
gious effort conducted by the ministers named, and 
not a little success attended these eff'orts. The 
meetings were well attended and, for a time, har- 
monious. Good will and true Christian fellow- 
ship prevailed. But fallibility has been a perad- 
ing element in our fallen humanitv since the pro- 
genitors of our race, beguiled by the tempter, fell 
into disobedience. And so here in Webster this 
element of fallibility was not wanting. .After a 
while demoninational dogmas were placed in the 
foreground, and so much stress put upon immer- 
sion, that a chill seemed to be creeping over the 
Methodist portion of the congregation, who. vou 
know, always enjoy good warm times. .\nd 
when the close communion view had been expa- 
tiated upon at. as some thought, at undue length, 
llrother Snyder could remain passive no longer 
under so much talk about water, and the pent-up 
emotions of his sold found relief, and burst forth 
with semi-volcanic power in the exclamation : 
'Lord, baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with 
fire sent down from Heaven !' Notwithstanding 
the outcropping of these demoninational proclivi- 
ties, their love of the work in which they were en- 
gaged was such that they would attend all the 
meetings, and woidd give and receive for the 
most part their good exhortations. Reference is 



8l2 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



here had to lay members. But if at any time the 
exhortation came from an exceptional source, 
and anyone objected to listening to it, such a one 
would retire from the room. This was an occa- 
sional occurrence, and, perhaps, not to be won- 
dered at, for the Gospel, it is said, is like a net cast 
into the sea, catching of every kind. So these 
fishers of men, Tupper and Keyes, caught 'Old 
Nick,' Nicholas Schoonhoven. ^\nd if any of 
my fellow pioneers desire to know more about 
Mr. N. Schoonhoven, you may find a somewhat 
extended account of his trials and shortcomings 
in the Washtenaw county circuit court records, 
for with the mention of just one incident, he will 
be dropped out of this history. Mr. Tupper lived 
in one of Mr. Schoonhoven's houses, and as Mr. 
T.'s salary was not liberal, he could not meet all 
the calls upon his purse, and when a settlement 
was made with Mr. S., he could not quite square 
up for the rent. 'Old Nick' was not to be put 
off. He told Mr. Tupper that he would take 
his coat, and when Mrs. Tupper heard this de- 
mand, and saw the transfer of the coat, she said 
'Take mv cloak also.' and the old skinflint took 
both. 

"This Baptist society never liad a church edi- 
fice, and the life of the church and society was of 
rather short duration, continuing onl)' about five 
years. The leading members who were residents 
of Webster were Deacon Nathan Thomas and 
his brother David Thomas, with their families. 
Those who resided in Northfield were Mr. Ben- 
nett. Mr. Cole, Samuel Terry, yi. Kellogg and L. 
T. Waldron. 

■"The Methodist Episcopal society maintained 
an organization in the town from its early set- 
tlement until about the year 1843 — holding their 
meetings in private dwellings at first, and sub- 
sequentlv in schoolhouses — when a schism oc- 
curred, the result of which was the entire dis- 
memberment of all Methodist organizations in 
the town. Most of those in the east went to 
Northfield. Of those in the south, some went to 
Dexter, and some joined a class of W'esleyans in 
Delhi. This state of affairs continued until 1862 
or '63, when a young man by the name of Van- 
dozer (at that time a student at the university) 
gave his energetic soul and body to the work of 



collecting and utilizing the still e.xisting, though 
sadly scattered and almost latent Methodist ele- 
ment. Mr. \'andozer held a series of meetings 
in the old town schoolhouse. These efiforts on 
the part of Mr. Vandozer and those who were co- 
workers with him, were crowned with marked 
success, and resulted in a new organization and 
the erection of a church edifice — a respectable 
building, located about a mile and a quarter north 
of the Congregational church. With some few 
exceptions religious services have been main- 
tained in this church since its erection. Of the 
leading men in the Methodist denomination at 
an early day I recall the names of Israel Arms, 
Charles Starks. Mr. Shepard, Frederick Parsons. 
\\'illiam Laston. Gideon Pease, William Stead- 
man, Moses Gleason, who was an exhorter, and 
Robert M. Snyder." 

In 1837 Webster had a larger population than 
it has to-day. Its population then was 832. but 
neither the agricultural products nor the stock of 
the farmers was anywhere near as great as it is 
now. In that year there were 82 horses, 552 
sheep, 941 hogs and 683 head of neat stock within 
the township ; and there had been produced dur- 
ing the previous year 9,260 bushels of wheat. 
4,138 bushels of corn, 6,346 bushels of oats and 
426 bushels of buckwheat. 

On August 31, 1887, W^illiam Yeager, of Dex- 
ter, was found by John Dolan lying on his water 
tank with which he was drawing water for 
threshing in Webster. He was taken home and 
died the next day. An examination of his body 
gave evidence of his having fallen from his 
wagon and being run over by the wheels. He 
was unable to give the particulars of the accident, 
and how he was able after his injury to get 
back on the wagon was alwa^'s a mystery to his 
friends. 

The supervisors of the township have been: 

John Williams 1833 

Sturms Kimberly 1834-5 

John Williams 1836-8 

Munnis Kenny 1839-40 

William W. Todd 1841 

James Ball, jr 1842-3 

Stephen Cogswell 1844 

Samuel H. Ball 1845 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



813 



James Ball, Jr 1846 

Sturms Kimberly 1847-8 

Jeremiah D. Williams 1849 

Sturms Kimberly 1 850-1 

J. D. Williams 1852 

W. R. Waldron 1853-4 

Marvin Cadwell 1855 

Sturms Kimberly 1856-7 

Gabriel Conklin 1858 

Robert McColl 1859-63 

Robert McColl 1864-6 

Thomas G. Haight 1867-8 

George C. Arms 1869-71 

Richard \\'alsh 1872 

Pomeroy Van Riper 1873-4 

L. D. Ball 1875-9 

Alonzo Olsaver 1880 

William H. Weston 1882-3 

Alonzo Olsaver 1884-5 

William H. Weston 1886-7 

Edwin Ball 1888-96 

Bert Kenny 1897-02 

Frank H. Wheeler 1903 

YORK. 

York township was originally a part of Ypsi- 
lanti township. It was set aside as a township 
by itself, March 7, 1834, and the new township 
was named York at the suggestion of Hon. 
William Moore, then a resident of the township, 
and who was afterwards a state senator in 1837 
and 1838 and a member of the house in 1843. 
The first township meeting was held in Paril, 
1834, at the house of Noah Wolcott and was 
presided over by Boaz Lamson. The first ballot 
was cast by William Marvin, whose son, James 
Marvin, was a member of the legislature from 
Ypsilanti in 1851. William Moore was elected 
the first supervisor and also a justice of the peace, 
and Othniel Gooding was elected as the first clerk. 
David Berdan has left a description of the town- 
ship of York in 1833 : 

"I came to this country in 1833. .\s my 
finances were rather limited, I could not settle 
in Plymouth with my friends ; therefore. I had 
to go back, as it was called, and seek a home 
at first cost. I came from Plymouth to this 

49 



place by way of Ypsilanti, which was a very in- 
ferior little hamlet, and Saline 'was next to no 
place. Mr. Risdon kept a tavern where Mr. 
Davenport now lives, and his sign stood out in 
the commons. Mr. McKinnon's store and a few 
others comprised Saline. As 'Squire Moore came 
from the part of the country I did, I wended my 
way to Mooreville. The way I went I found 
Mooreville before I found its father, who was 
"Squire Moore. Mooreville, all told, was one 
log house, which stood about where the Methodist 
church now stands. \\'ell, I found the 'Squire, 
and inquired of him if he knew of any govern- 
ment land. He said there had been a nice ridge 
discovered the winter before, and it was being 
taken up very rapidly. He showed me my place, 
and I bought it, and have been there most of the 
time since, four miles from Mooreville. Besides 
'Squire ]\Ioore, who lived near Mooreville, were 
Isaac and David Hathaway, Dr. Bowers and Mr. 
\\'alcott, who were there before I came. 

"I must relate a little incident that occurred 
the first winter I lived up in the woods. 'Squire 
Moore and Mr. Hathaway came to visit me and 
see how I got along. The 'Squire remarked to 
me that I should have a pig. as every family 
should, to eat the crumbs from the table. Well, 
I bargained with him for one, but the question 
was, how to get it home. Not a very long time 
after that I had a friend come to see me from 
Clinton, with a yoke of oxen ; and how do you 
think I fed the oxen ? We unhitched them from 
the wagon and turned them into a brush heap. 
I guess they were satisfied, for they didn't find 
any fault. The next morning was Sunday. My 
visitor and I took the oxen from the brush heap, 
and started for 'Squire Moore's (four miles) for 
some hay for the oxen. We arrived there after a 
while and got our hay, and were about ready to 
start back when I happened to think of the pig I 
had bargained for. The 'Squire being a good 
old Baptist, I felt a little delicate about asking 
him for it on Sunday. But the opportunity was 
so good (I didn't know as I'd ever have an- 
other chance to get the pig) that I mustered up 
courage to speak to him in regard to it. The 
'Squire hesitated a little, but finally, said he: 'I 
guess there will be no hann in it ; you may catch 



8i4 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COl^NTY. 



it. but don"t let it squeal." I took the pig. the 
first live animal I ever owned in Michigan. 

■'Before I had a house on my place, I put up 
with "Squire ^loore considerably ; and I must say 
that he and his wife were as kind as any people 
I ever met. He was quite a useful man in mat- 
ters of State ■ was justice of the peace, went to 
the state legislature, etc. He was also instru- 
mental in founding the Baptist church at ^loore- 
ville. As I was the first settler up there, the 
newcomers naturally came to me to get ac- 
quainted and know the lay of the land. etc. ; and 
soon there were quite a number of settlers in 
there, and as friendly as can be imagined. 

■■ 'Squire ]^[oore left a family which a President 
might be proud of — six sons and one daughter — 
among which were one minister and two lawyers. 
The minister. Lyman, died at Marshall. One 
lawyer, Oliver, died in the employ of the govern- 
ment at \\'ashington. The other lawyer is no less 
a personage than ^^"illiam A. Moore, of Detroit."" 
The first schoolhonse in the tow"nship was built 
in 1 83 1, and in it Washington Morton opened up 
the first school in November. 183 1. The school- 
house was built by Burtis Hoag, who furnished 
all the materials and the labor, and who was paid 
S50. Later. Goodman, a Baptist clergyman, held 
meetings in this schoolhonse once a week, and 
there read to his neighbors who had assembled 
from the history of England, or talked on re- 
ligious subjects. 

The first sawmill in the township was built at 
^looreville in the year 1832 by Isaac Hathawav. 
Soon afterwards Aaron R. Wheeler built another 
sawmill on Honev creek, and a little later a third 
sawmill was built by Baughman & Co. on Mill 
creek. A mill was erected about a mile south of 
Mooreville in 1836 by Moses Rider, who shortly 
afterwards sold it to Ezekiel J- ^loore. who 
transferred it to Ralph and Edwin Mead. Abnit 
1870 an addition was built to the mill and steam 
power put in. The mill had three run of stone. 
In 1878 a stave and heading factory was started 
in connection with the mill. 

The first marriage in York was that of .\rbv 
Lamson to Esther Bonner in 1830, Rev. John 
Walworth officiating and the first child of '>.rr. 



and Mrs. Lamson, born in the fall of 1831, was 
the first white birth in York township. The first 
death was that of Aretus Belding. which occurred 
in the fall of 1831. The first sermon in the 
township was preached by the Rev. John ^^'al- 
worth in the house of Stephen Bonner. 

The first store in the township was built about 
1835 by Elijah Ellis at Milan. Although the first 
store was located here in 1835, 't ^^^s not until 
the building of the Ann Arbor and the Wabash 
railroads that Milan began to assume much pro- 
portions as a village. It was established as a post- 
office about 1855, and the first postmaster was D. 
A. Woodward. The first settlement at Milan 
was made by ^^'illiam Marvin, who cast the first 
vote in the township. 

Mooreville \\as named by John ^loore, its 
founder, who came from Xew York among the 
early settlers in the township. Its importance as 
a village has been overshadowed in later days bv 
the near proximity of ^lilan. which has two rail- 
roads, while Mooreville has none. 

The Baptist church at ^klooreville was the first 
church in the township. The few Baptists settled 
in the town in 1831 held meetings on Sundav for 
about a year when Rev. Bradbury Clav arrived 
in the township and called upon William Moore, 
who was an earnest Baptist. Mr. Moore per- 
suaded ?ilr. Clay to remain in the township, and 
a meeting was held August 10. 1832, to see about 
forming a church, which was accordingly formed 
on August 31. 1832, as the First Baptist Church 
of Mooreville. Air. L. Moore was chosen deacon 
and the membership consisted of ten people. In 
1834 a number of Baptists settled in the eastern 
part of York township and meetings were held 
alternately at Mooreville and in the eastern part 
of the township, the number of members increas- 
ing to about thirty. In 1834 Rev. Mr. Brigham 
had charge of the little church and in 1835 the 
Rev. G. D. Simmons took charge : and a log 
church was erected in that year which served as 
a church for twelve years. 

In i860 the Episcopal Church of ^looreville 
was organized with Asahel Edson. Thomas J. 
Alcott, Richard Alchin. Alexander McMullen 
and William McMullen as vestrvmen and a cor- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



815, 



nerstoiie of a new church was laid, but tlic con- 
gregation proved to be too small to sujiport the 
church, and since 1863 only occasional services 
have been held. 

.\ Universalist church, which was erected at a 
cost of $3,000, was dedicated in 1880. The first 
pastor of this church was the Rev. J. G. Gilman 
and he was succeeded by the Rev. G. A. Sexton. 

In 1837 York township had a population of 
1,197. and contained a grist mill and three saw- 
mills. 

The building of the .\.un Arbor road in 1S78 
and the ^^^abash in 1880 gave Milan a great im- 
petus and the number of business places rapidly 
increased. Numerous small factories located 
here and some fair-sized ones ; a bank was started 
and its older rival, Mooreville, was quickly dis- 
tanced. Milan was incorporated in 1885 and is 
now ( 1906) the second largest village in the 
county. 

Milan has been several times visited by large 
fires. Among these was the fire of December 4, 
1893, which started in the saloon of Edward 
Doersam at 10:15 p. m. It was confined to the 
three stores owned by O. A. Kelly, Jacob R. Yer- 
scelius and ]\Irs. Phoebe Kelly. Hard work with 
a hand engine saved other buildings. The Ann 
Arbor fire department reached Milan before the 
flames were extinguished. The loss was $16,000. 
^lilan had a $11,000 fire on October 30, i8qi. 

Lightning killed two men in ^'ork township 
.\ugust 29. 1836, in a fearful manner. The un- 
fortunate men were Allen Burnham and his hired 
man, Dennis Kelly. The only eye witness was 
I'urnham's twelve-year-old son. He saw a ball 
of fire descend and his father fall. The men were 
unloading hay and were standing on the barn 
floor, six feet from the door. As the father fell 
liis cap blew out the barn door, past the boy who 
stood in the door. So little could the boy realize 
what had liappened that he turned and ran after 
the hat. When he came back he saw Kelly 
bleeding on the floor and the barn afire. Before 
the bodies of the men could be gotten out, Mr. 
Burnham's head was burned oflf, as were Mr. 
Kelly's feet. Every bone in Kelly's body was 
broken, his side torn open and the thigh bone 
split so that the marrow dropped out. 



Three section men, Tim Lane, Harry Twiggs, 
and John Skinner, who were on a hand car, were 
killed by the Pan-American fast train on the 
Wabash on the morning of October 24, 1901. 

Milan has had the natural gas fever and wells 
have been unsuccessfully bored by those who be- 
lieve Milan to be within the natural gas region. 
(Jas has been discovered but not in paying quan- 
tities. 

The electric sugar case, in 1888, was among 
the greatest cases of the country. To it the New 
York city papers devoted pages daily. It was 
especially interesting in this county as the de- 
fendants in the cases actually lived in Milan in 
this count)-. William E. Howard, the father-in- 
law of Prof. Friend, was convicted and served 
time in Sing Sing. His wife and Mrs. Olive E. 
Friend and two other Milan defendants were 
never convicted. 

Electric sugar was a stupendous fraud and 
there is no doubt that Prof. Friend was one of 
the principals in it. The parties actually charged 
with the fraud probably never were guilty of 
more than knowledge that it was .going on. There 
were other parties undoubtedly as deeply impli- 
cated as Friend, but they sought cover when 
Friend killed himself and were never brought to 
trial. English investors were defrauded out of 
about $3,000,000. The mode of working the 
fraud was simple. Prof. Friend pretended to 
have discovered a process by which he could treat 
raw sugar with electricity and so turn out the 
finest grade of refined sugar. If he could do 
what he claimed, there was millions in it, for the 
main cost of refined sugar is incurred in remov- 
ing the impurities from the raw sugar. Friend 
had no process. His mode of operating was at 
first to secure a house near the river with a sewer 
leading directly into the river so that the im- 
purities in the sugar could be carried out into 
New York bay and the ocean. His fellow con- 
spirators were on the lookout for English in- 
vestors. When they were got in tow a committee 
would come to New York to see the wonderful 
process, which was to revolutionize sugar manu- 
facturing. They would go to Friend's house and 
after listening to a lecture on the process were 
requested to thoroughly search the house and 



8i6 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



everything about it, excepting the machine by 
which tlie sugar was made. That stood in the 
center of the room on legs, elevated from the 
floor, so that it could be seen that nothing could 
be brought into the house by way of the floor. 
This machine was covered over ; to see it would 
be to discover the process, as Friend insisted that 
the machinery was simple. That constituted the 
secret. The bags of raw sugar would be setting 
in the room, but nowhere any sign of refined 
sugar. Then the committee would be requested 
to leave the room and lock and guard all doors. 
This done Friend would set to work. First the 
raw sugar would be emptied into the sewer and 
water turned in until it was washed out into the 
briny deep. Then the wonderful machine would 
be opened, filled with loaf sugar of the finest 
grade that could be bought and Friend would set 
to work to grind it up. Then the committee 
would be invited in. There would lay Friend, 
covered with perspiration apparently overcome 
by the hard work and in the bags which had con- 
tained the raw sugar would be the purest or re- 
fined sugar some very fine and the rest of it in 
lumps of varying size. The committee would 
go back over the water with samples of this sugar 
manufactured while they waited and highly satis- 
fied with the precautions taken to secure the 
genuineness of the secret process. 

Stock in the wonderful invention sold for fancy 
prices. For a long time nothing would be done 
until the price got away down where it would be 
brought up and exploited again. Finally a big 
factory, seven or eight stories high, fitted up with 
machinery from top to bottom and with work- 
men on every floor, none of whom knew what was 
being done on the floor above them, so carefully 
was the secret guarded. The chief secret was in 
the top floor. Here refined sugar would be put 
in the hoppers, instead of the refined sugar taken 
up in sight of the committees of investors, and 
which would be washed out to sea in the sewer 
designed to carry off impurities. The committees 
would be allowed to see raw sugar going up and 
then to see the refined sugar coming out into 
the bags in the lower floor each grade of fineness 
into separate bags. 



It was a great fraud, and as has been said, 
English investors were mulcted out of $3,000,000 
before the bubble burst and Friend killed himself 
and his fellow conspirators joined in the hue and 
cry against Friend's family, who were not 
enough in his secrets to point them out. 

The following have been supervisors of York 
since its organization : 

Xoah Wolcott 1834 

William Moore 1835-6 

Lyman Carver 1837 

Jacob Cook 1838-9 

Uzziel Kanouse 1840 

Jouu Kanouse 1841-2 

Lyman Carver 1843-8 

Caleb Moore 1849 

James ]\L Kelsey 1850 

Caleb Moore 1851-2 

James ?iL Kelsey 1853 

Caleb ]\Ioore 1854-6 

LL H. Brinkerhoff 1857-8 

Thomas Gray 1859-64 

Peter Cook 1865-72 

Jesse Warner 1873-6 

John W. Blakeslee 1877-8 

Jesse Warner 1870 

John \V. Blakeslee 1880-2 

Alfred Davenport 1883-97 

Archibald D. Mclntyre 1898-01 

Edward P. Warner 1902 

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP. 

The history of Ypsilanti township is largely 
bound up in the history of Ypsilanti citv and is 
told elsewhere. The supervisors of this town- 
ship since 1853 have been: 

John W. Van Cleve 1853-54 

Eratus Morton 1855 

Delos Showennan 1856 

H. Compton 1857 

John W. Van Cleve 1858 

E. D. Lay 1859 

Charles Shier i860 

E. D. Lay 1861-5 

George Jarvis 1866 

E. D. Lay 1867-8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



817 



W. Irving Yeckley 1869-78 

Albert R. Graves 1879-89 

John L. Hunter 1890-99 

Edgar D. Holmes 1900 



CHAPTER XXn. 

STATISTICS OF THE COl'NTY TO-DAY. 

A picture of Washtenaw county to-day can. 
perhaps, be most accurately drawn from a study 
of the United States census returns of 1900, 
which are the latest accurate statistics attainable. 
In 1900 Washtenaw had 47.761 people, a gain of 
5,551 in ten years. This gain was entirely in the 
cities and villages, for Ann Arbor city alone had 
gained 5,078, Ypsilanti city had gained 1,249, 
Chelsea village had gained 279, that part of Milan 
in Washtenaw county had gained 136, while the 
other villages had remained about stationary, the 
county outside of the cities and villages men- 
tioned showing a loss in the ten years of 1,181. 
The city of Ann Arbor had grown to have a 
population of 14,509. A city census taken in 1904 
shows the population of the city of that date to 
have been 17.149. In 1900 Ypsilanti had a popu- 
lation of 7.378; Chelsea village had 1.635: Alan- 
chester, 1,209; Milan, 1,141; Dexter, 900; and 
that part of Saline village in Saline township, 
584. The various townships of the county had 
populations as follows: Ann Arbor, 1,036: Au- 
gusta, 1.739: Bridgewater. i.oii ; Dexter. 696; 
Freedom, 1,013; Lima, 961; Lodi, 1,121; Lyn- 
don, 665; Manchester, 2,146: Northfield, 1,266; 
Pittsfield, 1,050; Salem, 1.158; Saline. 1.66S; 
Scio. 1.893: Sharon, 984: Superior, 1,039; Syl- 
van, 2,496; Webster, 74.7 ; York. 1.952 ; and Ypsi- 
lanti town. 1.233. 

Tliere was a slight excess of the females over 
the males in 1900, there being 24,010 females in 
the county and 23.751 males. Of the population. 
40,940 were native born, and 6,821 were born in 
foreign countries. There had been a gradual de- 
crease in the number of foreign born inhabitants 
of the county, for in 1880 there were 7.945 of 
foreign birth, in 1S90 there were 7.739. and in 



1900 there were only 6,821 ; and the prospects are 
that this decrease in foreign born inhabitants will 
continue at an even accelerated rate, for emigra- 
tion from foreign countries to this county, once 
so popular, seems to have largely ended. Of the 
population, 46,503 were white and 1.240 were 
colored. There were no Indians in the county 
in 1900, although in 1890 there had been four. 
In Ann Arbor city there were 1,107 males of 
foreign birth and 1,221 females. Of the native 
born whites 7,059 had native born parents and 
4.798 had foreign born parents. There were 359 
negroes and 371 colored. In Ypsilanti there were 
899 foreign born inhabitants, 4.239 native whites 
whose parents were natives, 1,680 native whites 
whose parents were foreign born, 60S negroes 
and 614 colored. 

The foreign born population of Washtenaw 
were born in the following countries : Asia, ex- 
cept China, 7 ; Australia, 1 ; Austria, 25 ; Bel- 
gium. 6; Bohemia. 18; Canada (English) 1,353; 
Canada (French), 54: China, 9: Denmark, 11 
England. 849: France, 24; Germany, 3,592 
Greece, 4; Holland. 6: Hungary. 1 ; Ireland. 576 
Italy. 19: Norway. 9; Poland. 19; Russia. 44 
Scotland. 94: Sweden, 26: Switzerland, 32 
Wales, 12 ; other coimtries, 27 ; and born at sea, 3. 

There were 14,788 males in the county of 
twenty-one years of age and over. Of these, 
11,163 were native whites who could read, 99 
were native whites who were illiterate, 276 were 
literate native negroes, and 52 were illiterate na- 
tive negroes. Of the naturalized citizens of for- 
eign birth of 21 years and over, 2,103 were put 
down as literate and 85 as illiterate. Of those 
who had taken out their first papers, 52 were 
literate and 4 were illiterate. Of those who were 
aliens, that is. had not become citizens of the 
United States or declared their intention to do so. 
194 were literate and 27 illiterate ; and of the 
foreign born whom the census enumerators could 
not tell whether they were naturalized or had 
taken out first papers or were still aliens. 678 were 
literate and 49 were illiterate. 

Of those of school age within the county, that 
is, who were from five to twenty years old, the 
native white males numbered 6,638, the native 
white females 6,470, the foreign white males 229, 



8i8 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



the foreign white females 246. and the negroes 
391. The male population betsveen eighteen and 
forty-four years of age who were subject to draft 
in the militia on occasion was 9.204 native white. 
1,334 foreign white and 278 negroes. The total 
illiterate population ten years old and over was 
placed at 607, although it must be owned that the 
census enumerators in all cases of doubt solved 
it in favor of the literacy of the person concern- 
ing whom information was being taken. 

There were 10,440 buildings in the coimt}- 
which contained 10,916 families. In Ann Arbor 
cit>" there were 2.791 dwellings and 3.033 families. 
In Ypsilanti there were 1.598 dwellings and 1.734 
families. In the county there were 4.163 family 
homes. Of this number 1.792 were free of debt. 
i_4.5i were encumbered. 61 the enumerator did 
not know whether they were incumbered or not. 
82 were rented, and 2-j unknown. Of the 6.606 
other homes in the count}-, 2,391 were free of 
debt and resided in by the owner, 1,079 ^vere in- 
cumbered and resided in by the owner and 96 
homes where the owners resided the enumerators 
were unable to say whether or not they were in- 
CTunbered. Two thousand seven hundred and 
fort\- homes were rented and there were 300 cases 
where it was not known whether the home was 
rented or not. 

In 1901 there were 3-469 farmers in the county, 
of whom r.684 owned 81.336 sheep, an average 
of 48 sheep to the owner and 23 to the farmers 
reported. In the year 1900 48.669 acres of wheat 
had been harvested in the coimtv". and the yield 
was only 250.394 bushels. The preceding 
year, 1899. 64_|.94 acres of wheat had 
been harvested and the yield was 625.- 
656 bushels, while previously 1,296,757 bush- 
els had been harvested from 59.909 acres. 
The 3-469 farmers had an average of 108 acres 
in each farm. Of the acreage. 214,065 was im- 
proved land and 60.902 unimproved. There were 
155 farms in Ann Arbor township averaging 89 
acres : 291 farms in Aug^jsta averaging 67 acres ; 
206 farms in Bridgewater averaging 100 acres : 
114 farms in York averaging 94 acres: and 185 
farms in Ypsilanti averaging 87 acres. In 1900. 
41,213 acres had been planted to com. and the 
}-ield was 1.669,544 bushels of shelled com. 



26.132 acres of oats yielded 1.079.648 bushels. 
The largest production of wheat had been in 
Freedom, while the largest acreage of wheat was 
in \\'ebster. The smallest acreage of wheat was 
in Y'osilanti township, which had also the small- 
est production. The largest acreage in com was 
in Sharon township, and the largest yield of com 
in Sylvan. The smallest acreage and produc- 
tion of com was in Dexter township. The largest 
acreage in oats was in York, which had also the 
largest production. The smallest acreage and 
production of oats was in L\-ndon township. 

There were 2.615 acres of potatoes in the 
count}-, yielding 255.532 bushels: 10,155 acres of 
beans, \ielding 132,627 bushels; 2,846 acres of 
r}-e, >-ielding 39.031 bushels: 58.018 acres of hay. 
j-ielding 69,291 tons : and 8,642 acres of clover, 
yielding 8,171 bushels of clover seed. The larg- 
est acreage and production of potatoes was in 
Augusta and the smallest was in Sharon. The 
largest acreage of beans was in L\-ndon and the 
largest production in Northfield, whUe the small- 
est acreage and production of beans was in Lodi, 
The largest acreage of Rye was in L}-ndon and 
the largest production in Northfield, while 
Lodi produced no r\-e at all. The largest 
acreage of hay was in Superior, which produced 
the most oats, while the smallest amount of hay 
was produced in L\-ndon. In 1900 there were 
only 10 acres of sugar beets in Washtenaw 
county, producing 122 tons. Since that time, 
however, the acreage of sugar beets has ver}- 
largely increased, owing to the springing up of 
numerous beet sugar factories in Michigan com- 
peting for the product of the farmers. The agri- 
cultural yield in 1900 in the count}- was much 
below the normal, the year having been a poor 
one for the farmers. 

In that year there were 11,931 horses in the 
count}-, 13.729 milch cows, 11.705 other cattle. 
10.252 hogs. 81.336 sheep, and these sheep had 
been sheared for 634.614 pounds of wool. Au- 
gtista had the most horses, and Ann Arbor town- 
ship the smallest number. Ypsilanti town had the 
most milch cows and Dexter the smallest num- 
ber. Northfield contained more cattle other than 
milch cows, and Lyndon the smallest number. 
Northfield contained the most hogs and Ann Ar- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNT V 



819 



bor town the least. Bridgewater contained the 
greatest number of sheep and Ypsilanti town the 
least number. Lodi sheared the greatest num- 
ber of pounds of wool and Ypsilanti town the 
least. The farmers of the county, in igoo, had 
sold 603,368 pounds of butter. They had also 
sold 12,135,974 pounds of milk to creameries, 
2.070,869 pounds of milk for cheese, and 2,621,- 
834 to dealers and others. The farmers of York 
had sold the greatest number of pounds of but- 
ter while the farmers of Ypsilanti had sold the 
greatest number of pounds of milk to creameries ; 
and the farmers of Ann Arbor township had sold 
the greatest number of pounds of milk to cheese 
factories, while the farmers of I 'ittsfield had sold 
the most to milk dealers. In 1900 there were 
5,141 acres of apple orchards producing 148.460 
bushels. There were 831 acres of peaches produc- 
ing 3.003 bushels: 67 acres of pear trees pro- 
ducing 2.343 bushels : 30 acres of plum trees pro- 
ducing 433 bushels ; and 5 acres of cherries pro- 
ducing 227 bushels. The greatest quantity of 
apples were grown in Freedom and the smallest 
quantity in York. Ann Arbor township furnished 
over a third of the peaches grown in the county 
and almost half of the pears, while Xorthfield 
produced the most plums and cherries. 

There were 38 acres of strawberries in the 
county which yielded 2.762 bushels; 12 acres of 
blackberries with a yield of 582 bushels : 69 acres 
of raspberries with a yield of 2,481 bushels : and 
28 acres of grapes yielding 138.475 jiounds. The 
most strawberries w^ere grown in Xorthfield. the 
most blackberries in Ann .\rbor town, the most 
raspberries in .\nn .\rbor town, and the greatest 
f|uantity of grapes in Lodi. 

In 1903 there were five creameries in oper- 
ation in \\'ashtenaw with a capital invested of 
$27,000. They purchased in that year 2.294.635 
pounds of milk and manufactured 1.044.821 
pounds of butter, of the value of $237,135.39. 
The number of patrons who supplied the cream- 
eries with milk were 1,210. of whom 339 de- 
livered their milk and 871 hired their milk de- 
livered. 

The total assessment of Washtenaw countv real 



estate in 1904 was $29,862,502, and the assessed 
valuation of personal property was $8,267,073. 
The total valuation of the county as equalized 1)\' 
the state board of equalization was $37,000,000. 
Real estate in Ann Arbor city was valued at 
$8,230,990, while the personal property in the 
city was assessed at $2,839,377. .\nn Arbor thus 
furnished nearly a third of the total valuation of 
the county. The real estate valuation of Ypsi- 
lanti city was $3,041,990 and the personal $1,346,- 
590. The valuation of Ann Arbor as reviewed bv 
the board of supervisors was $11,070,367 and of 
\'psilanti $4,388,580. In the wdiole county in 1904 
the state taxes amounted to $93,854.98, the county 
ta.xes to $48,652.24. the general towmship taxes 
to $15,392.18, the school and one mill taxes to 
$11,986.66. the general highway tax to $23,- 
663.78, the highway labor tax to $27,535.61, the 
drain tax to $4,497.91. the general city taxes to 
$ii7'733-54- the general village taxes to $16,- 
493.95. and the rejected taxes to $308.24. making 
a total of taxes levied in the year 1904 for all 
purposes in the county of Washtenaw. $468.- 
118.69. 3" average tax rate of $13.25 pev thou- 
sand dollars of assessed valuation. In Aim .\rbor 
city in 1904 the total tax levied for city purposes 
was $125,402.37. and the rate ])er thousand dol- 
lars of assessed valuation w-as $11.33. This w^as 
the smallest rate of taxation in anv citv of over 
7,000 population in the .state of ^Michigan. The 
total tax in Ypsilanti was $54,484.43 and the rate 
$12.42 per thousand dollars of valuation. The 
greatest valuation of real estate in the townships 
of the county was in York, although the differ- 
ence between York and Saline was only about 
$2,000. The greatest valuation of personal prop- 
erty in the townships was in Sylvan, and this is 
due to the fact that Chelsea village is included 
in this township. The least valuation of real 
estate in the townships of the countv was in Lvn- 
don. which also had the least valuation of per- 
sonal property. In five years the valuation of 
the real estate of the cities of Ann Arbor and 
Ypsilanti had increased $3,157,785, while the 
valuation of the real estate of the townships had 
increased $1,954,017. 



INDEX 



BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS 



Abbott, Horatio J 255 

Alber, E. T 467 

Alber, J. A 337 

Alexander, Samuel 277 

Allen, Rev. Charles T 14 

Allen, Rev. Eugene 223 

Allen, E. P 

AUmendinger, G. Prank 216 

Ames, Albert W 282 

Angell, Dr. James B 24 

Arnold, Valentine 492 

Atchison, Dr. Russell E 446 

Avery. Dr. H. H 468 

B 

Babfoc'k, .James L 340 

Baboock, Loren 364 

Bach, James R 49 

Bacon. Jabez 408 

Bacon. William 9 

Bailey, George W 327 

Banfield, P. S 192 

Beakes. S. W 531 

Beal, Junius E 355 

Beattie, Adam 264 

Beck. J. Gottfried 403 

BeGole, George A 421 

Belser. Dr. M. L 74 

Benham, Franklin 194 

Benham. Harry C 301 

Bennett, Adin A 239 

Beyer. Augustus 30 

Biggs, William 428 

Bilb'p. W. S 57 

Binder, Henry 253 

Birkett, Thomas 204 

Bischoff, J. George 425 

Blaich. George 516 

Blair, Dr. William 193 

Blakeslee. John W 122 

Bliss, Wallace W 357 

Bliton. Henry 269 

Blosser, Mat D 78 

Blum, Philip 406 

Boes, I^uis H 515 

Bower, Miss Emma E 248 

Braun. Carl F 345 

Braun, Charles 458 



Braun, J. M 400 

Brogan, Eliza Cousins 366 

Brooks, Dr. Ervin Davis 93 

Burchfield. Samuel W 177 

Burke, John B 199 

Burkhart, George 37 

Bush, Dr. Sumner 337 

C 

Campbell, E. D 268 

Carpenter, E. A 364 

Caspari, Frances E 470 

Cavanaugh, M. J 48 

Chalmers, J. C 168 

Clancy, William J 474 

Clark, Dr. E. A 476 

Clark, William 419 

Clark, William A 475 

Clark, William C 98 

Clements, James 63 

Cole, Charles A 159 

Conklin, C. T 60 

Conklin, Dr. E. M 272 

Conlin, W. J 160 

Cook. E. H 28 

Cooley, Charles H 287 

Cooley, M. E 230 

Cooley. Thomas M 293 

Oopeland, Dr. Royal S 108 

Copeland, William B 480 

Corselius, George 469 

Crane, A. G 73 

Cutting, John H 207 

D 

Darling, Dr. C. G 497 

Davidson, ,J. L 84 

Davis, Gen. Martin 260 

Davis, Minnie M 347 

Davison, Charles B 505 

Dean, Col. Henry S 40 

DeMosh. J. C 413 

Dettling, Frank 43fi 

Doersam, Edward G 154 

Dorow, August W 366 

Dorrance, Dr. William H 437 

Doty, William G 43 

Douglas, Dr. Silas H 301 

Dwyer, J. W 110 



E 



Eaton, J. H 430 

Eberbach, Ottmar 422 

Edwards, J. J 474 

Eibler, John B 404 

Ellis, Caroline P 184 

English, A. D 445 

Esslinger, William H 479 

P 

Fairchild, Harrison 429 

Faist, Adam G 455 

Feldkamp. Henry B 387 

Fiegel, Albert 99 

Finkbeiner, Michael 374 

Fischer, George H 335 

Foerster, L. Z 126 

Foley, Joseph F 153 

Freeman, P. M 33 

Fritz, Adolph H 259 

Fritz, Michael J 488 

Fuller. Thomas C 181 

G 

Garrett, J. C 183 

Gates, Dr. Neil A 513 

Gaudy, George M 251 

Gauntlett, Charles 214 

Gelston. J. M 415 

George, Dr. Conrad 486 

Gibson, Dr. E. B 48 

Gilmore, E. S 130 

Glazier. Frank 522 

Glazier. George P 304 

Godfrey. C. E 100 

Goodrich, Edward P 281 

Goodyear, William 324 

Gorman, James S 94 

Granger. Ross 58 

Green. Richard 224 

Guthard. Charles H 457 

Gwinner, .Jacob A 135 

H 

Haas. Daniel C 452 

Hagen. Prank 182 

Hall. Dr. L,ouis P 458 



822 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



Hamilton. .Mary L 443 

Hasley, F. G 254 

Heinzmann, John 56 

Hemphill, R. W 156 

Herrmann, Dr. F. L 67 

Herz, William 303 

Heiisel, Friedrich 139 

Heusel, Samuel 290 

Hill. Comstook F 338 

Hiscock, Daniel 481 

Hoag, E. G 155 

Hochrein. Henry J 323 

Holmes, Alfred H 80 

Holmes, H. S 256 

Hornins, Frederick C 500 

Howe, Wesley E 451 

Howell, Dr. R. B 450 

Hewlett, Dr. G. A S3 

Hummel. Chauncey 411 

Hummel. Jacob 263 

Hurrt, Gilbert Ill 

Huss, Aaron C 279 

Hutzel, Titus F 221 

Hutzel, W. A 392 

I 

lUi. John W 403 

Illi, William 188 

J 

Jackson, A. D 371 

Jacobus. J. T 289 

.Jacobus. W. C 285 

James. William P 241 

Jenness, John S 234 

.Tolly. William B 508 

Josenhans. Gerhard 336 

Joslyn. Frank 339 

K 

Keeler, M. E 68 

Kelly. Rev. E. D 49S 

Kempf, C. H 178 

Kenny. Bert 148 

Keppler, John 288 

Kernecood, Moses 38 

Kerr, Clyde C 331 

King, C. B 456 

Kins;. Charles E 154 

Kinne, E. D 19 

Klingler. F. C 429 

Klopfenstein. Dr. W. A 379 

Knight, J. W 112 

Knight. Peter S 312 

Koch, Christian G 305 

Koch, John 70 

Koebbe, Frank H 59 

Koernke, Julius H 252 

Korzuck, Paul 338 

Krapf. Herman 517 

Kuhl, A. H 329 

L 

Landwehr. Henry J 518 

Lantz. Morris F 374 

Lawson, John 28 

T.eFurge, Henry T 525 

Lehman. M. J 194 

Leland. E. E. .. 29 

Lemble. Alphonse M .'.. 526 



Lewis, Francis J 450 

Little. T. M 245 

Lodholz, W. F 304 

Long, Aaron 297 

Luick, Gottlob 116 

Luick, Otto D 9 

Mc 

Mclntyre. W. H 141 

McKernan, Patrick 369 

McQuillan, C. E 381 

M 

Mack. Christian 20 

Mack, Walter C 416 

Major, Charles H 412 

Mann, George J 373 

Mann, Henry J 238 

Markey, J. W 262 

Marquardt. Hermann 271 

Martin. A. F 232 

Martin. O. M 74 

Max, Matthew 488 

Mayer, John 237 

Meier, Anton 241 

Merrill, George W 378 

Meyers, Charles F 452 

Millard, Sid W^ 500 

Miller, Charles L 311 

Miller, F. M 321 

Miller, George H ,502 

Mills, Charlie 280 

Mills, Dr. W. S 430 

Mingay. T. W 99 

iNIoore, Dr. W. S 420 

Moorman. B. G 109 

Morton, Hudson T 464 

Morton. William H 493 

Murnan, James D 252 

Murray. Dr. Ellen B 323 

Murray. William H 69 

N 

Naylor, J. M 355 

Newton. Frank T 64 

Nicklas. Rev. A. L 316 

Niethamer. Adolph G 200 

Xoll. Conrad 209 



O'Connor, John 34 

Oesterlin. Eugene 139 

Osband, William M 361 

O'Toole. Dr. J. H 39 

Ottnier. G. B 414 

Overbeck, Christian H 389 

P 

Palmer, J. A 524 

Pardon, Charles F 435 

Parker, Alonzo D 171 

Parker, F. C .' . . 487 

Parshall, J. J..'. ' 444 

Paul, Alfred J 161 

Paul, Henry 491 

Paul. Robert S 233 

Pipp, Henry G 470 

Pipp, Herman W 215 

Pond, George H 343 



Pray, C. L 26T 

Prescott, Dr. A. B 438 

Proehnow, Theodore F 314 

Putnam, Daniel 330 

Q 

Quirk, D. L 50 

Quirk. Daniel L.. Jr 358 

R 

Read. John 320 

Reeve, Russell C 219 

Rehberg. Ernest 494 

Reiff. Christian 462 

Rentschler, J. F 499 

Reule, Andrew 67 

Reynolds, Albert E 315 

Rice. William H 382 

Richards. Rev. J. E 132 

Rogers. Moses 142 

Rohde. Louis 269 

Ronneburger. Dr. G. F 203 

Root. F. M 328 

Rose. John 322 

Ross. Daniel J 289 

Rowe, Thomas 440 

Ryan, Edward T 208 

S 

Sage, J. R 245 

Sample. George W 87 

Sauer. C. A 505 

Saunders. James B 79 

Sawyer, A. J 44 

Sawyer, A. J.. Jr 213 

Schaeberle. J. F 391 

Schairer, Alfred C 407 

Schaller. :M. J 398 

Scharf. G. H 396 

Schleede, F. J 247 

Schlemmer. Henry J 377 

Schlemmer. Reuben P 398 

Schlenker. Christian 136 

Schmidt, A. R 380 

Schneider. C. L 463 

Schneider. Emanuel L 405 

Schneider. William A 296 

Schneider. William R 427 

Schoen, Fred W 473 

Schroen. C. H 314 

Schultz. William 461 

Scott, Evart H 121 

Scott. George 150 

Seabolt. Jloses 348 

Seery. William A 456 

Sevier. Edward L 485 

Sevmour. G. L 287 

Seymour. W. B 286 

Shankland, V. L 306 

Shearer, Chauncy H 427 

Sherk, Isaac L 371 

Shutts. H. E 507 

Slauson. H. M 302 

Smith, Dr. Dean T 184 

Snauble. Paul 167 

Snyder, R. A 354 

Soule, Harrison 119 

Speechley. R. L. . 439 

Spokes. Reginald 523 

Stadel. Samuel A 482 

Staffan, Frank 370 



PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY. 



823 



Slark, W. H 420 

Stein, George F 191 

Steinbach, Charles 439 

Stevens, Major W. C 172 

Stewart. Cornelius 298 

Stimpson, Fred T 463 

Stimpson, W. F 187 

Stimson, G. C 192 

Stivers, Charles W 529 

Stivers, Frank A 52(5 

Stone, Clement W ISl 

Sullivan, D. P 140 

Sutherland, Nelson 129 

Sweet, B. L 480 

Sweet. G. L 372 

Sweet, George W 426 



Tenny, Herbert B 388 

Tessnier. Paul G 270 

Thews, Erich R 27 

Thompson, John 131 

Trac\-, Dr. B. A 161 

Tuomy, C. L 392 

Tuttle, W. W 365 

Tyler, Dr. Dean M 353 



Valentine, George 210 

Vaughan, Dr. Victor C 77 

Vogus, A. J 294 

I 
W 

Wade, James H 149 

Wagner, Edward J 200 

Walker, A. B 242 

Wallace. Dr. J. B 316 

Walsh. John P 475 

AVard. Dr. Marcus L 286 

Ware. Earl 358 

Warner. C. M 498 

Warner. E. P , 130 

Warren. A. J 389 

Warren, R. L 521 

Warthin. Dr. A. S 507 

Waters. A. J 399 

Watson, James C 10 

Webb. James H 332 

Wedemeyer, William W 106 

Weeks, George W 363 

Weinberg, F. C 262 

Weissinger, F. J 395 

Wessinger. Dr. John A 90 



Westtall, Oliver H 209 

Wheelock, Judson W 494 

Whitaker, Byron C 346 

Whiting, Mary Collins 162 

Whitman, Dr. Elmer L 508 

Wilcox, James H 203 

Wild, Gottlieb H 312 

Wilgus, H. L 510 

Wilkinson, Frank W 381 

Wilkinson, Capt. W. M 295 

Wills. Woodson T 396 

Wines. E. A 88 

Wines, Levi D 449 

Wines, W. W 7 

Wisner. John 487 

Wood, James P 390 

Wood, J. S 246 

Wood, Theodore E 155 

Woodbridge, Dr. Charles O.... 414 

Worden, Charles H 107 

Wuerth, J. F 34 

Wurster, Jacob F 344 

W^yckoff, Joseph 203 

Z 

Zachmann. Gustave 510 

Zwergel, J. George 89 



822 



HISTORICAL WASHTENAW COUNTY 



PAGE. 

Chapter I — First Inhabitants of the County. 535 Chapter 

Chapter II — Early Settlements 545 Chapter 

Chaptjer III — The Origin of Geographical Chapter 

Names 582 Chapter 

Chapter IV — Two Bloodless Wars 587 Chapter 

Chapter V — Transportation 595 Chapter 

Chapter VI — Wildcat Banking 605 Chapter 

Chapter VII — Bench and Bar 607 Chapter 

Chapter VIII — -Washtenaw Medical So- Chapter 

ciety 613 Chapter 

Chapter IX — The Press 616 Chapter 

Chapter X — Power Development of Huron Chapter 

River 627 



page. • 

XI — Washtenaw in the War 633 

XII — -Michigan University 636 

XIII— State Normal Collegte 649 

XIV — First German Settlement. . .654 

XV — Election Statistics 658 

XVI— Illustrious Dead 680 

XVII— Public Buildings 691 

XVIII — Rapid Settlement 694 

XIX — History of Ann Arbor City. 700 
XX — History of Ypsilanti City. . . .73^ 
XXI- — History of the Townships. .755 
XXII — Statistics of the County To- 
day 817 



ItOVH 



